The original Star Wars trilogy was one of the shining examples of groundbreaking films of the 70s and 80s that changed cinema forever. The film series introduced audiences to a galaxy far, far away, and featured visuals and sci-fi narratives that have never been done before up to that point. The franchise also saw the origins of characters that have now become iconic characters.
A still from The Empire Strikes Back
Actors like Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher became synonymous with the Star Wars roles Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia, respectively. It has now been reported that the casting director responsible for bringing the trio together, Dianne Crittenden, has sadly passed away.
Star Wars Casting Director Dianne Crittenden Passes Away at 82
Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill became household names from Star Wars
Star Wars has been a seminal franchise for many people who grew...
A still from The Empire Strikes Back
Actors like Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher became synonymous with the Star Wars roles Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia, respectively. It has now been reported that the casting director responsible for bringing the trio together, Dianne Crittenden, has sadly passed away.
Star Wars Casting Director Dianne Crittenden Passes Away at 82
Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill became household names from Star Wars
Star Wars has been a seminal franchise for many people who grew...
- 3/22/2024
- by Rahul Thokchom
- FandomWire
Dianne Crittenden, casting director on the original Star Wars who also worked on Pretty Woman, Spider-Man 2 and dozens of other films during a 40-year career, died March 19 at her home in Pacific Palisades. She was 82.
Her friend and colleague Ilene Starger confirmed her passing to Deadline.
Born on August 6, 1941, in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, NY, Crittenden got her start in the entertainment industry working with Howard Zieff, a photographer and director. They worked on advertising campaigns, TV commercials and films.
Her first project as casting director was Terrence Malick’s 1973 drama Badlands, starring Martin Sheen-Sissy Spacek, on which Bruce Springsteen based his song “Nebraska” a decade later. Crittenden worked on a few other films and TV shows, including the Emmy-winning 1976 Sally Field miniseries Sybil, before land the casting-director role of a lifetime — a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.
After working with George Lucas on the iconic Star Wars,...
Her friend and colleague Ilene Starger confirmed her passing to Deadline.
Born on August 6, 1941, in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, NY, Crittenden got her start in the entertainment industry working with Howard Zieff, a photographer and director. They worked on advertising campaigns, TV commercials and films.
Her first project as casting director was Terrence Malick’s 1973 drama Badlands, starring Martin Sheen-Sissy Spacek, on which Bruce Springsteen based his song “Nebraska” a decade later. Crittenden worked on a few other films and TV shows, including the Emmy-winning 1976 Sally Field miniseries Sybil, before land the casting-director role of a lifetime — a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.
After working with George Lucas on the iconic Star Wars,...
- 3/22/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Dianne Crittenden, the casting director whose impressive résumé included the first Star Wars film, The In-Laws and the Terrence Malick features Badlands, Days of Heaven and The Thin Red Line, has died. She was 82.
Crittenden died Wednesday at her home in Pacific Palisades after a battle with several cancers, fellow casting director Ilene Starger told The Hollywood Reporter.
“Dianne was my mentor, we’ve known each other for 44 years,” Starger said. “She was also my dear friend, more like an older sister, really. So generous, kind, brilliant, funny. A people magnet. Her knowledge of and insight into actors was extraordinary.”
A former head of casting at Warner Bros., Crittenden collaborated with Martin Ritt on Murphy’s Romance (1985) and Stanley & Iris (1990); with Roger Donaldson on Thirteen Days (2000) and The World’s Fastest Indian (2005); and with Peter Weir on Witness (1985), The Mosquito Coast (1986) and Green Card (1990).
Crittenden was born in Queens on Aug.
Crittenden died Wednesday at her home in Pacific Palisades after a battle with several cancers, fellow casting director Ilene Starger told The Hollywood Reporter.
“Dianne was my mentor, we’ve known each other for 44 years,” Starger said. “She was also my dear friend, more like an older sister, really. So generous, kind, brilliant, funny. A people magnet. Her knowledge of and insight into actors was extraordinary.”
A former head of casting at Warner Bros., Crittenden collaborated with Martin Ritt on Murphy’s Romance (1985) and Stanley & Iris (1990); with Roger Donaldson on Thirteen Days (2000) and The World’s Fastest Indian (2005); and with Peter Weir on Witness (1985), The Mosquito Coast (1986) and Green Card (1990).
Crittenden was born in Queens on Aug.
- 3/21/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Dianne Crittenden, casting director on some of the most notable features of the 1970s and ’80s including “Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope,” “Days of Heaven” and “Pretty Woman,” died March 19. She was 82.
She died Wednesday in Pacific Palisades, Calif., according to her friend and mentee Ilene Starger.
Crittenden would go on to have a prolific career in casting lasting over 40 years. Crittenden’s credits include “The Thin Red Line,” “On Golden Pond,” “Witness,” “Badlands,” “Oh! God,” “Howard the Duck,” “Wise Guys” and “Spiderman 2.” She was nominated for a CSA Artios award for “Witness.” She worked with some of the industry’s most prominent directors, such as Ridley Scott, Peter Bogdanovich, Wes Craven, George Romero and Brian De Palma.
In a 2010 featurette included in the Criterion Collection release, Crittenden spoke about her experiences working with Terrence Malick, or “Terry” as she calls him, on his WWII drama “The Thin Red Line.
She died Wednesday in Pacific Palisades, Calif., according to her friend and mentee Ilene Starger.
Crittenden would go on to have a prolific career in casting lasting over 40 years. Crittenden’s credits include “The Thin Red Line,” “On Golden Pond,” “Witness,” “Badlands,” “Oh! God,” “Howard the Duck,” “Wise Guys” and “Spiderman 2.” She was nominated for a CSA Artios award for “Witness.” She worked with some of the industry’s most prominent directors, such as Ridley Scott, Peter Bogdanovich, Wes Craven, George Romero and Brian De Palma.
In a 2010 featurette included in the Criterion Collection release, Crittenden spoke about her experiences working with Terrence Malick, or “Terry” as she calls him, on his WWII drama “The Thin Red Line.
- 3/21/2024
- by Jack Dunn
- Variety Film + TV
There's something about Terrence Malick's "Badlands" that haunts you long after the end credits. The movie might be a neo-noir based on grizzly real-life murders, but the grittiness that marked the original genre (and many other films released in the '70s) is replaced with a simple, childlike worldview. How many other movies see their protagonists seek refuge in an elaborate, fantastical treehouse? How many killing sprees are fueled by puppy-dog love? For all its bloodshed and dark undertones, "Badlands" is remarkably light-hearted, largely because it's filtered through the eyes of a misguided, briefly passionate teen.
Surprisingly, the creation of "Badlands" was itself just as passionate — and impossible — as Kit (Martin Sheen) and Holly (Sissy Spacek)'s travels. While the film's protagonists left a trail of blood in their wake only for the young girl to lose interest in her beau, Malick described the process of creating the movie as "painful.
Surprisingly, the creation of "Badlands" was itself just as passionate — and impossible — as Kit (Martin Sheen) and Holly (Sissy Spacek)'s travels. While the film's protagonists left a trail of blood in their wake only for the young girl to lose interest in her beau, Malick described the process of creating the movie as "painful.
- 9/11/2022
- by Demetra Nikolakakis
- Slash Film
Terrence Malick's directorial debut, "Badlands," is a classic American film that also provided Martin Sheen with one of his first major roles. The movie came out six years before Sheen's performance in the era-defining "Apocalypse Now," and in the same way that Sheen took over at the last minute for Harvey Keitel in that movie, he wasn't necessarily Malick's first choice to play garbage-man-turned-spree-killer Kit Carruthers in "Badlands." However, by taking a chance on an actor he deemed too old for the part, Malick may have saved Sheen's career.
At the beginning of "Badlands," Kit sees 15-year-old Holly Sargis (Sissy Spacek) baton-twirling in her front yard, and it's not long before he's courting her and eventually running off with her to become public enemies like Bonnie and Clyde. You can tell he has a high opinion of himself; in a rare interview with Sight & Sound magazine, Malick once said...
At the beginning of "Badlands," Kit sees 15-year-old Holly Sargis (Sissy Spacek) baton-twirling in her front yard, and it's not long before he's courting her and eventually running off with her to become public enemies like Bonnie and Clyde. You can tell he has a high opinion of himself; in a rare interview with Sight & Sound magazine, Malick once said...
- 9/6/2022
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
Colleagues of legendary casting director Mike Fenton remembered the industry veteran as a tireless champion of actors who had a keen eye for talent, a great sense of humor and a full life outside of work with a wide circle of friends.
Fenton, who died Dec. 30 at the age of 85, had nearly 300 casting credits to his name and helped launch the careers of such stars as Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss, Drew Barrymore and Robert Downey Jr. He won the Casting Society of America’s Artios Award in 1996 for Best Casting for TV Nighttime Special for “Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree” and again in 2000 Best Casting for TV Miniseries for “Arabian Nights”
Graham Yost, screenwriter and showrunner known for “Broken Arrow,” “Speed” and FX’s “Justified,” became friendly with Fenton through a running club dubbed Flying Squirrels that the casting pro founded in the 1980s. Yost met his wife, Connie, through the group.
Fenton, who died Dec. 30 at the age of 85, had nearly 300 casting credits to his name and helped launch the careers of such stars as Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss, Drew Barrymore and Robert Downey Jr. He won the Casting Society of America’s Artios Award in 1996 for Best Casting for TV Nighttime Special for “Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree” and again in 2000 Best Casting for TV Miniseries for “Arabian Nights”
Graham Yost, screenwriter and showrunner known for “Broken Arrow,” “Speed” and FX’s “Justified,” became friendly with Fenton through a running club dubbed Flying Squirrels that the casting pro founded in the 1980s. Yost met his wife, Connie, through the group.
- 1/2/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
As is the case when working with most geniuses, collaborating with Terrence Malick ain't easy. While there's a small core group of inner-circle people who have never left his side--editor Billy Weber, production designer Jack Fisk, and casting director Dianne Crittenden to name a few--even these lifers have all stated on the record how, despite loving Terry to death, it can be immensely difficult at times to discern exactly what it is he wants. History shows that Malick himself doesn't know the answer which can infuriate collaborators. While cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki will have lensed three Malick pictures in a row…...
- 8/1/2011
- The Playlist
Chicago – Whenever two power players in the world of cinephiles come together, it creates a critical buzz and such was the case when it was announced that The Criterion Collection had chosen Terrence Malick’s “The Thin Red Line” for induction in their world-renowned series of DVDs and Blu-rays.
DVD Rating: 5.0/5.0
“Director Terrence Malick recommends that The Thin Red Line be played loud.” — The first thing one sees after hitting play on the new edition of “The Thin Red Line.”
The Thin Red Line was released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 28th, 2010
Photo credit: Courtesy of the Criterion Collection
As with most Criterion releases, the most notable thing about the edition is the film itself. They never skimp on the actual transfer and one can only imagine the time and effort the notoriously-detailed Malick must have put in with cinematographer John Toll on this new, restored high-definition digital transfer.
DVD Rating: 5.0/5.0
“Director Terrence Malick recommends that The Thin Red Line be played loud.” — The first thing one sees after hitting play on the new edition of “The Thin Red Line.”
The Thin Red Line was released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 28th, 2010
Photo credit: Courtesy of the Criterion Collection
As with most Criterion releases, the most notable thing about the edition is the film itself. They never skimp on the actual transfer and one can only imagine the time and effort the notoriously-detailed Malick must have put in with cinematographer John Toll on this new, restored high-definition digital transfer.
- 10/12/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
This week’s DVD and Blu-ray releases are truly some bankruptcy inducing titles. With two truly epic Blu-ray’s from Criterion to talk about, as well as a slew of new releases and catalog titles from various distributors, you’ll have to choose wisely, or perhaps just take out a loan on your house to pay for them all.
I know, I know. Tuesday was days ago, and we’re almost upon Tuesday again, where we’ll see a whole list of new titles. As those who follow me on Twitter know, I had a rather large event happen on Wednesday, which threw a wrench into my blogging plans. Nevertheless, I wanted to get these titles up, as I think they are incredibly important, and should be considered if you’re looking to drop some cash on DVDs and Blu-rays.
Before I get into this week’s new releases, I...
I know, I know. Tuesday was days ago, and we’re almost upon Tuesday again, where we’ll see a whole list of new titles. As those who follow me on Twitter know, I had a rather large event happen on Wednesday, which threw a wrench into my blogging plans. Nevertheless, I wanted to get these titles up, as I think they are incredibly important, and should be considered if you’re looking to drop some cash on DVDs and Blu-rays.
Before I get into this week’s new releases, I...
- 10/4/2010
- by Ryan Gallagher
- CriterionCast
One of the greatest war films ever made (that can’t really be described as a war film) comes out today courtesy of the Criterion Collection. This one has a local connection in filmmaking auteur and Austin celebrity Terrence Malick, who directed the philosophical epic.Both the Bluray and DVD editions feature a stunning array of special features, including: *Audio commentary by cinematographer John Toll, production designer Jack Fisk and producer Grant Hill*Interview with casting director Dianne Crittenden*Interviews with actors Kirk Acevedo, Jim Caviezel, Thomas Jane, Elias Koteas...
- 9/29/2010
- by Shane Ramirez, Austin Arthouse Cinema Examiner
- Examiner Movies Channel
In 1998, Terrence Malick made a remarkable film called The Thin Red Line. A film that examines the nature of man in relation to the world that surrounds him. The Thin Red Line is a war film taking place during the Battle of Guadacanal in World War II, it follows C Company during the eventual victory of the Allied Troops. It’s interesting because the outcome of the battle isn’t very important to the film. Malick doesn’t concern himself with politics and whether or not the war was justified, he’s more interested in the nature of man in context of war. How do we fit in with the world?
Opening the film is a strange and tranquil 15 minute introduction with Private Witt (James Caviezel), he has gone Awol and is living with Melanesian native in the South Pacific. These early scenes are extremely peaceful, with a group of...
Opening the film is a strange and tranquil 15 minute introduction with Private Witt (James Caviezel), he has gone Awol and is living with Melanesian native in the South Pacific. These early scenes are extremely peaceful, with a group of...
- 9/29/2010
- by Rudie Obias
- CriterionCast
My brother used to tell everyone they were brother and sister…
Terrence Malick. The man, the myth, the legend? In some circles he is considered a filmmaking god. In others, they wonder why it takes him so very long to make another film. To those latter people, I remind them of Stanley Kubrick. A perfectionist artist will always take a long time, and in the case of Days of Heaven, it only took him 5 years after the wonderfully grim Badlands. They didn’t know how good they had it back then, because it took another 20 years until he made The Thin Red Line (coming soon to the Criterion Collection).
But I digress. This is a review of the wonderful 1978 film Days of Heaven, a film in which I’d have to say is one of the most stunning and beautiful films I’ve had the good fortune to lay upon my eyes.
Terrence Malick. The man, the myth, the legend? In some circles he is considered a filmmaking god. In others, they wonder why it takes him so very long to make another film. To those latter people, I remind them of Stanley Kubrick. A perfectionist artist will always take a long time, and in the case of Days of Heaven, it only took him 5 years after the wonderfully grim Badlands. They didn’t know how good they had it back then, because it took another 20 years until he made The Thin Red Line (coming soon to the Criterion Collection).
But I digress. This is a review of the wonderful 1978 film Days of Heaven, a film in which I’d have to say is one of the most stunning and beautiful films I’ve had the good fortune to lay upon my eyes.
- 9/6/2010
- by James McCormick
- CriterionCast
Here we are, another 15th of the month, another group of amazing releases from the Criterion Collection announced on schedule. Being so obsessively attached to rumors and gossip on Twitter and forums and the like, many of these titles have been hinted at in one form or another.
Way back in March, we got a somewhat obvious clue in the monthly Criterion Collection e-mail newsletter, in the form of a thin, red lion, and after some back and forth as to which movie it was referring to, many came to the conclusion it was in fact Terrance Malick’s The Thin Red Line. Criterion’s recent Blu-ray release of Malick’s Days of Heaven was an incredible production, with a transfer that cannot be beaten. The Thin Red Line was also teased at in a twitter picture post that Criterion sent out back in March, giving further proof to the...
Way back in March, we got a somewhat obvious clue in the monthly Criterion Collection e-mail newsletter, in the form of a thin, red lion, and after some back and forth as to which movie it was referring to, many came to the conclusion it was in fact Terrance Malick’s The Thin Red Line. Criterion’s recent Blu-ray release of Malick’s Days of Heaven was an incredible production, with a transfer that cannot be beaten. The Thin Red Line was also teased at in a twitter picture post that Criterion sent out back in March, giving further proof to the...
- 6/16/2010
- by Ryan Gallagher
- CriterionCast
If ever there was a film many would say deserved the high-definition treatment on Blu-ray I'm sure Terrence Malick's Days of Heaven would be one of them. Then again, instead of just saying "if ever there was a film," perhaps the best phrasing of that question would be to ask, "If ever there was a filmmaker that deserved the high-definition treatment who would it be?" Malick's films are first and foremost seen as moving pieces of art. While I would say Badlands is the one film of his that doesn't have the same picturesque impact as films such as Days of Heaven or The Thin Red Line, it's also the one film of his that has been relegated to a one-time, old school DVD release and has never found its way home in the best of condition. Perhaps one day, as later this year Criterion will surely wow us...
- 3/23/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Ah Tuesdays, when our new release thirst is quenched yet again.
This week from Criterion we get some more Akira Kurosawa on Blu-ray, in the form of the re-released Yojimbo and Sanjuro, in both boxed, and non-boxed form. Also receiving a re-release on Blu-ray is Terrence Malick’s Days of Heaven. We recently reported a rumor that The Thin Red Line would be receiving the Criterion Blu-ray treatment, and I can safely say that after overhearing some chatter at SXSW, it’s more than just a rumor. Finally, we’re treated to an incredible performance by James Mason in Nicholas Ray’s Bigger than Life, on both DVD and Blu-ray.
All of these releases are packed with supplemental materials, showing the DVD and Blu-ray world that Criterion will remain a name to be reckoned with, no matter how much online streaming increases.
You can find our initial post, announcing these March Releases here.
This week from Criterion we get some more Akira Kurosawa on Blu-ray, in the form of the re-released Yojimbo and Sanjuro, in both boxed, and non-boxed form. Also receiving a re-release on Blu-ray is Terrence Malick’s Days of Heaven. We recently reported a rumor that The Thin Red Line would be receiving the Criterion Blu-ray treatment, and I can safely say that after overhearing some chatter at SXSW, it’s more than just a rumor. Finally, we’re treated to an incredible performance by James Mason in Nicholas Ray’s Bigger than Life, on both DVD and Blu-ray.
All of these releases are packed with supplemental materials, showing the DVD and Blu-ray world that Criterion will remain a name to be reckoned with, no matter how much online streaming increases.
You can find our initial post, announcing these March Releases here.
- 3/22/2010
- by Ryan Gallagher
- CriterionCast
DVD Playhouse: March 2010
By
Allen Gardner
Precious: Based On The Novel “Push” By Sapphire (Lionsgate) In-your-face, but undeniably powerful film that follows the plight of an overweight inner-city teen (Gabourey Sidbe, a real find) who must deal with an abusive mother (Mo’Nique, in a career-making turn for which she won a most-deserved Best Supporting Actress Oscar), a baby born of her abusive, and absent, father, and trying to survive day-to-day with few people to offer her help, save for a sympathetic teacher (Paula Patton) in a special ed program. Director/producer Lee Daniels, a former personal manager/producer-turned-filmmaker, brings a kitchen sink authenticity to the proceedings, along with a cast of famous powerhouse performers, who manage to disappear into their roles. Tough stuff, but not to be missed. Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay (Geoffrey Fletcher). Bonuses: Commentary by Daniels; Featurettes; Interviews with Sapphire and Daniels; Deleted scene. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
By
Allen Gardner
Precious: Based On The Novel “Push” By Sapphire (Lionsgate) In-your-face, but undeniably powerful film that follows the plight of an overweight inner-city teen (Gabourey Sidbe, a real find) who must deal with an abusive mother (Mo’Nique, in a career-making turn for which she won a most-deserved Best Supporting Actress Oscar), a baby born of her abusive, and absent, father, and trying to survive day-to-day with few people to offer her help, save for a sympathetic teacher (Paula Patton) in a special ed program. Director/producer Lee Daniels, a former personal manager/producer-turned-filmmaker, brings a kitchen sink authenticity to the proceedings, along with a cast of famous powerhouse performers, who manage to disappear into their roles. Tough stuff, but not to be missed. Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay (Geoffrey Fletcher). Bonuses: Commentary by Daniels; Featurettes; Interviews with Sapphire and Daniels; Deleted scene. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
- 3/19/2010
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
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