2011 Movie News Archives

December 29, 2011: The Life and Career of Tom Mankiewicz

Tom Mankiewicz Tom Mankiewicz was best known to Superman fans as the screenwriter for "Superman: The Movie" and "Superman II". In May 2012 a book about his life and career will be released, titled "My Life as a Mankiewicz: An Insider's Journey through Hollywood".

    The son of famed director and screenwriter Joseph L. Mankiewicz (All About Eve [1950], Guys and Dolls [1955], Cleopatra [1963]) and the nephew of Citizen Kane screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz, Tom Mankiewicz was genuine Hollywood royalty. He grew up in Beverly Hills and New York, spent summers on his dad's film sets, had his first drink with Humphrey Bogart, dined with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, went to the theater with Ava Gardner, and traveled the world writing for Brando, Sinatra, and Connery. Although his family connections led him to show business, Tom "Mank" Mankiewicz forged a career of his own, becoming a renowned screenwriter, director, and producer of acclaimed films and television shows. He wrote screenplays for three James Bond films -- Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Live and Let Die (1973), and The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) -- and made his directorial debut with the hit TV series Hart to Hart (1979--1984). My Life as a Mankiewicz is a fascinating look at the life of an individual whose creativity and work ethic established him as a member of the Hollywood writing elite.

    Mankiewicz details his journey through the inner world of the television and film industries, beginning with his first job as production assistant on The Comancheros (1961), starring John Wayne. My Life as a Mankiewicz illuminates his professional development as a writer and director, detailing his friendships and romantic relationships with some of Hollywood's biggest stars as well as his struggle with alcohol and drugs. With the assistance of Robert Crane, Mankiewicz tells a story of personal achievement and offers an insider's view of the glamorous world of Hollywood during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.

You can pre-order the book now via the Superman Homepage Online Store.



2011 Movie News

Listed below are all the Movie News items archived for 2011 organized into various categories:

New Movie News:

Justice League Movie News: Direct-to-DVD Animated Movie News: Christopher Reeve Movie News: Other Movie News:

Back to the News Archive Contents page.

Back to the Latest News page.