Woody Allen

Woody Allen

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Biography

Woody Allen (born Allan Stewart Konigsberg, 1.12.1935)

Woody Allen is an American film director from New York City, USA.

Woody Allen: Childhood

Woody Allen was born in New York City. He was raised in New York and has lived there his whole life.

Woody's mother, Nettie was a bookkeeper at her local delicatessen and his father, Martin, was a waiter, as well as a jewellery engraver. His Jewish parents spoke Yiddish, German and English. His sister, Letty, was born in 1943.

As a teenager, Allen would write gags for newspaper columnists and was eventually discovered by Milt Kamen, who brokered Allen's first writing deal, with Sid Caesar.

Woody Allen: Comedy Career

When he was 19, Allen started writing scripts for The Ed Sullivan Show, Caesar's Hour and The Tonight Show.

In his late 20's, Woody Allen started doing stand up comedy, in Greenwich Village, New York as well as writing for Candid Camera. He appeared on the show a few times and developed his neurotic, yet intellectual persona.

In addition to his TV writing, Allen also became a well-respected playwright. In 1966, his play, Don't Drink the Water, opened on Broadway and in 1969, a film adaptation of the play was released, as well as a 1994 version, in which Allen starred along with Michael J. Fox. In 1969, he starred in his own play, Play It Again, Sam, which also featured Diane Keaton.

Woody Allen: Film Career

Woody Allen's first film production was What's New Pussycat?, which stars Peter O'Toole and Peter Sellers, followed by the James Bond spoof, Casino Royale. On both of these productions, Woody became frustrated with the egos of the stars involved and the meddling producers. He made a decision to go it alone and make films his own way.

Woody's first film as a director was What's Up, Tiger-Lily? The film was a Japanese spy movie that Allen re-dubbed with a new comic script, in English.

In 1969, he directed Take The Money and Run, which was followed by Bananas and, one of his most notorious films, Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex (But Were Too Afraid To Ask).

In 1977, Woody Allen released Annie Hall, which was something of a turning point in his film career. The film won four Academy Awards, including a Best Actress gong for Diane Keaton.

Woody Allen released Manhattan in 1979. The film was a black and white homage to New York City and mocks the pretentiousness of intellectuals, whilst simultaneously being full of obscure intellectual references that alienated many of its potential fans.

In the 1980s, Woody Allen's films became somber and philosophical. September and Stardust Memories are influenced by the work of European directors such as Federico Fellini and Ingmar Bergman. Later in the decade, Hannah and Her Sisters and Crimes and Misdemeanours returned to the comic elements for which Allen had become known. His film Radio Days is considered one of his finest and is about the importance of the radio whilst he was growing up in Brooklyn.

Of the films that Woody Allen made in the 1990s, the highlights were Husbands and Wives, which earned two Academy Award nominations and Manhattan Murder Mystery, which starred Angelica Huston and Diane Keaton. In 1994, Allen released Bullets Over Broadway and received an Academy Award nomination for his efforts. In 1999, his film Sweet and Lowdown also got two Oscar nominations, this time for its stars Samantha Morton and Sean Penn.

In the early 2000s, Allen's films such as Melinda and Melinda and The Curse of the Jade Scorpion were trounced by the media and performed badly at the box office. 2005's Match Point, starring Scarlett Johansson, fared far better and earned Allen a Best Original Screenplay Oscar nomination.

In 2007, Allen filmed Vicky Cristina Barcelona, starring Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem.

Woody Allen: Personal Life

Woody Allen's personal life has been the subject of great tabloid speculation. For some time, he dated the actress Mia Farrow. He has one child with her and two adopted children. The relationship broke down when she discovered Woody was having an affair with Soon-Yi Previn, the daughter that she adopted when she was in a relationship with Andre Previn.



Biography by Contactmusic.com

Soon-Yi Previn Goes On Record About Her Upbringing With Mia Farrow


Woody Allen Soon-Yi Previn Mia Farrow

Soon-Yi Previn has finally broken her silence over her relationship to Woody Allen, following the resurgence of sexual assault allegations by his adoptive daughter Dylan Farrow that are threatening to derail his film career in the wake of the Time's Up and MeToo movements.

Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn at the premiere of 'Irrational Man'Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn at the premiere of 'Irrational Man'

The 47-year-old Korean-born daughter of Mia Farrow has opened up about the controversy that has surrounded Woody Allen for 25 years in a new interview where she details her apparently turbulent upbringing and the history of her relationship with her mother's ex-boyfriend.

Continue reading: Soon-Yi Previn Goes On Record About Her Upbringing With Mia Farrow

Why We Might Not See Another Woody Allen Film For A While


Woody Allen

Following the release of his forthcoming comedy 'A Rainy Day in New York', we may have to wait a while for another Woody Allen project. It seems that Hollywood has finally decided to take seriously the sexual abuse claims continually made against him by his stepdaughter, and he could be the latest to enter retirement based on those allegations.

Woody Allen at the premiere for 'Crisis In Six Scenes'Woody Allen at the premiere for 'Crisis In Six Scenes'

For some reason, despite repeated accusations against him by Dylan Farrow - both as a child and an adult - the film industry has continued to conveniently ignore the possible questionable nature of Woody Allen. Quickly were people to shun the likes of Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey and others, but Allen's career has remained afloat.

Continue reading: Why We Might Not See Another Woody Allen Film For A While

Woody Allen's Son Moses Farrow Defends Him Against Sexual Assault Allegations


Woody Allen

Moses Farrow, the adopted son of director Woody Allen and Mia Farrow, published a defence of his father from allegations of sexual assault made by his sister in a lengthy essay.

Published on Wednesday (May 23rd) and over 5,000 words in length, Farrow elaborated on claims that he has previously made that his mother was physically abusive to him and to her other adopted children, and that she coerced her daughter Dylan into making claims of sexual assault against Woody Allen.

“I’m a very private person and not at all interested in public attention,” Farrow wrote in the essay, titled ‘A Son Speaks Out’. “But, given the incredibly inaccurate and misleading attacks on my father, Woody Allen, I feel that I can no longer stay silent as he continues to be condemned for a crime he did not commit.”

Continue reading: Woody Allen's Son Moses Farrow Defends Him Against Sexual Assault Allegations

Kate Winslet Says She Has "Bitter Regrets" After Working With Certain People


Kate Winslet Woody Allen Harvey Weinstein

Award-winning Hollywood actress Kate Winslet has spoken out about the "bitter regrets" she has after working with "certain individuals" in the film industry. The British actress has recently appeared in Wonder Wheel - directed by Woody Allen, whose daughter, Dylan Farrow, has accused him of sexual assault.

Kate WinsletKate Winslet has spoken of "bitter regrets" after working with particular film individuals

Speaking at the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards, the star said receiving the Dilys Powell Award for excellence in film gave her an "opportunity" to say things that mattered to her.

Continue reading: Kate Winslet Says She Has "Bitter Regrets" After Working With Certain People

Colin Firth Condemns Woody Allen - "I Wouldn't Work With Him Again"


Colin Firth Woody Allen

British actor Colin Firth is the latest big-name star to publicly distance himself from Woody Allen after the re-emergence of sexual assault allegations against the director.

The 57 year old star, who featured in Allen’s 2013 film Magic In The Moonlight, has said he will not work with the veteran director on any future projects. He follows in the footsteps of Timothee Chalamet and Rebecca Hall, who both star in Allen’s new film A Rainy Day In New York and decided to donate their salaries to the Time’s Up campaign. Other stars who have worked with Allen, such as Mira Sorvino, Greta Gerwig and Rachel Brosnahan, have also condemned the director.

On Thursday (January 18th) – the same day that Allen’s adoptive daughter Dylan Farrow went on television to re-iterate her accusation that Allen sexually assaulted her when she was a child – Firth gave an interview to The Guardian and said “I wouldn’t work with him again”.

Continue reading: Colin Firth Condemns Woody Allen - "I Wouldn't Work With Him Again"

Dylan Farrow To Appear On TV Over Woody Allen Sexual Abuse Allegations


Woody Allen

Dylan Farrow is set to appear on television to further discuss the topic of her long-standing allegations of sexual assault against her adoptive father Woody Allen – which he has dismissed as “untrue and disgraceful”.

The interview will be aired by CBS on Thursday (January 18th) and is reportedly Farrow’s first ever on television, and follows an explosive newspaper article in which Farrow questioned why the “revolution” that has engulfed the film and entertainment industries since the Harvey Weinstein allegations three months ago has not touched Allen.

“I am credible, and I am telling the truth, and I think it’s important that people realise that one victim, one accuser, matters. And that they are enough to change things,” 32 year old Farrow says in a clip released today ahead of the interview.

Continue reading: Dylan Farrow To Appear On TV Over Woody Allen Sexual Abuse Allegations

Golden Globe Winner Said She Regrets Working With Woody Allen


Greta Gerwig Woody Allen

Actor, writer and director Greta Gerwig has rocketed to prominence with her latest film, Lady Bird, that swooped the Best Picture award at the recent Golden Globes. And now she has come out to confirm she would never work with director Woody Allen again as allegations continue to swirl around him of sexual harassment.

Greta GerwigGreta Gerwig's film, Lady Bird, won Best Picture at the Golden Globes

Gerwig starred in Allen's 2012 film 'To Rome With Love' and in the same year co-wrote and starred in 'Frances Ha', a movie heavily influenced by Allen's work.

Continue reading: Golden Globe Winner Said She Regrets Working With Woody Allen

Kate Winslet Praises Woody Allen In The Wake Of Dylan Farrow's Anger


Kate Winslet Woody Allen

With her new film 'Wonder Wheel' out now, Kate Winslet has heaped praise on director Woody Allen for his portrayal of women in his movies. Kate has even gone as far as to say that she thinks he has womanly attributes buried under his masculine exterior.

Kate Winslet at the SFFilm AwardsKate Winslet at the SFFilm Awards

The 42-year-old actress was deeply impressed working with Academy Award winning filmmaker on 'Wonder Wheel'; a story about a struggling married couple in the 50s on Coney Island; with his understanding of women a particular highlight.

Continue reading: Kate Winslet Praises Woody Allen In The Wake Of Dylan Farrow's Anger

Elle Fanning And Selena Gomez On Board For Woody Allen Movie


Elle Fanning Selena Gomez Woody Allen

Elle Fanning and Selena Gomez are set to become the latest young actresses to appear in a Woody Allen project as his forthcoming movie is announced for next year. It's yet to be given a name, but it's the third movie he's directed and written by Amazon Studios.

Elle Fanning at 'The Beguiled' premiereElle Fanning at 'The Beguiled' premiere

The 19 and 25-year-old stars will also be joined by 'Call Me by Your Name' actor Timothée Chalamet, and so far that's all the cast that's been announced. The Academy Award nominated Letty Aronson is on board to produce, having worked on a number of Woody Allen projects over the years.

Continue reading: Elle Fanning And Selena Gomez On Board For Woody Allen Movie

Cafe Society Trailer


Café Society offers a glimpse in to the world of Hollywood in the 1930's. With its narrative following Bronx-born, Bobby Dorfman (Jesse Einsenberg) on his romantic journey following his dreams, in both Hollywood and New York.

At the beginning of the film Bobby works for his uncle in Hollywood where he falls in love with his charming assistant Vonnie, on finding out she has a boyfriend he settles for friendship. However when she breaks up with him Bobby wastes little time and proposes to her. All seems to be going well until an unexpected turn of events happen and Bobby ends up fleeing to New York heartbroken.

On returning to New York he works for his gangster brother Ben who is now the owner of a nightclub "Les Tropiques" which is where he is first introduced to Veronica. The couple marry and seem to be living happily until one night when Vonnie arrives at the club and events change once again. This film is charming in its diverse representations of the 30's from down town New York to the scandals of Manhattan's elite.

Woody Allen - Legendary actor and director Woody Allen films an unnamed project with long time friend and veteran actress Elaine May. The duo walked up and down 69th street at 69th Avenue - New York City, New York, United States - Monday 7th March 2016

Woody Allen

Woody Allen Saturday 17th November 2012 Celebrities on the set of 'Fading Gigolo' shooting on location in Manhattan

Woody Allen

Woody Allen Tuesday 10th July 2007 Woody Allen on the set of his new movie 'Midnight in Barcelona' (working title) due for release in 2008 Las Ramblas, Barcelona

Woody Allen
Woody Allen

Woody Allen Quick Links

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Woody Allen

Date of birth

1st December, 1935

Occupation

Filmmaker

Sex

Male

Height

1.65


Woody Allen Movies

Cafe Society Trailer

Cafe Society Trailer

Café Society offers a glimpse in to the world of Hollywood in the 1930's. With...

Irrational Man Trailer

Irrational Man Trailer

In a small town at the college campus, a normal man is having a terrible...

Magic in the Moonlight Movie Review

Magic in the Moonlight Movie Review

After the high of last year's Blue Jasmine, Woody Allen is back in playful mode...

Fading Gigolo Movie Review

Fading Gigolo Movie Review

With a witty observational script, amusing characters and a jazzy sense of life in New...

Magic In The Moonlight Trailer

Magic In The Moonlight Trailer

Stanley is a talented magician who goes by the name of Wei Ling Soo professionally,...

Fading Gigolo Trailer

Fading Gigolo Trailer

Strapped for cash, handsome but middle-aged bookshop worker Fioravante decides to accept an offer of...

Blue Jasmine Movie Review

Blue Jasmine Movie Review

With a riveting performance, Cate Blanchett creates one of Woody Allen's most memorable movie characters...

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Blue Jasmine Trailer

Blue Jasmine Trailer

Jasmine is an aristocratic New York housewife whose luxurious lifestyle and marriage to the wealthy...

To Rome With Love Movie Review

To Rome With Love Movie Review

After Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen remains in a cheery European mode for another breezy...

To Rome With Love Trailer

To Rome With Love Trailer

Woody Allen takes us on a romp around yet another beautiful European city with his...

Midnight in Paris Movie Review

Midnight in Paris Movie Review

After a run of loose, uneven films, Allen hits the right notes in this funny,...

Midnight In Paris Trailer

Midnight In Paris Trailer

Gil and Inez are young couple who decide to travel to France with Inez's family....

You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger Trailer

You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger Trailer

After years of marriage, Alfie and Helena are getting divorced, this is mainly due to...

Whatever Works Trailer

Whatever Works Trailer

Watch the trailer for Whatever WorksEveryone's favourite cynic Larry David takes the lead role in...

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