The Brothers Mankiewicz: Hope, Heartbreak, and Hollywood Classics

Herman J. and Joseph L. Mankiewicz were a pair of witty, intellectual brothers who wrote, produced, and directed over 150 pictures, including Citizen Kane and All About Eve. Despite their triumphs, they spent their Hollywood years deeply discontented and yearning for a career in New York theater. Herman gambled away his earnings, was fired from all the major studios, and drank himself to death at fifty-five. Joe rose to become a critical and financial success as a writer, producer, and director, but his constant philandering with prominent stars distressed his emotionally fragile wife, who eventually committed suicide. Sydney Ladensohn Stern's book provides a unique behind-the-scenes chronicle of their lives, loves, work, and relationship.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 480 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2022
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi

Herman J. Mankiewicz and Joseph L. Mankiewicz, two accomplished filmmakers, wrote, produced, and directed over 150 films during their careers. Notably, they collaborated with Orson Welles on the screenplay for Citizen Kane, which resulted in Herman receiving an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Joe Mankiewicz achieved great success with All About Eve, winning four Oscars for writing and directing, including Best Picture. Despite their notable achievements, the Mankiewicz brothers were deeply discontented with their Hollywood experience and longed for a career in New York theater. Herman, a former theater critic and playwright, struggled with the transition to screenwriting and ultimately lost his fortune through gambling and alcohol abuse. In contrast, Joe Mankiewicz became a successful writer, producer, and director, although his philandering with prominent stars like Joan Crawford, Judy Garland, and Gene Tierney caused distress to his emotionally fragile wife, who eventually committed suicide. Joe's excessive use of uppers and downers to manage his workload and direct Cleopatra led to his public firing by Darryl F. Zanuck, a traumatic experience that affected him deeply.

For this dual portrait of the Mankiewicz brothers, Sydney Ladensohn Stern has relied on interviews, letters, diaries, and other documents to provide a comprehensive insight into their lives and careers. The book explores their artistic struggles, personal relationships, and the complex dynamics of their professional and personal lives. It sheds light on their contributions to cinema and their enduring legacy in the film industry.

Overall, Herman J. Mankiewicz and Joseph L. Mankiewicz: A Dual Portrait is a captivating and insightful exploration of the lives and careers of two influential filmmakers. It offers a deep understanding of their artistic achievements, personal challenges, and the complex relationship between their professional and personal lives. This book is a valuable addition to the literature on cinema and filmmaking and will be of interest to film enthusiasts, historians, and anyone interested in the history of Hollywood.

Weight: 708g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496840851