Robert Wise 1914 - 2005

"I've been accused by some of the more esoteric critics of not having a style, and my answer to that always is this -- I've done every genre there is, and I approach each genre in the cinematic style that I think is appropriate and right for that genre."

Journeyman director Robert Wise is probably best known for his musicals, but in a career that spanned over 45 years he brought his skilled craftsmanship to almost every imaginable genre, including horror.

Wise was one of those people who seemed to steal his way into the film industry, and with a combination of talent, determination and incredibly lucky timing, found his way onto the sets of some of the greatest directors and producers of the last century. After a stint editing on Citizen Kane and The Amazing Ambersons for Orson Welles, Wise's break into directing came from Val Lewton's The Curse of the Cat People when he was promoted from editor to director partway through production. Nowhere is the influence of Welle's chiaroscuro style and Lewton's less-is-more approach more evident in Wise's films then in those with a horrorific bent, particularly the film considered by many to be the greatest haunted house movie of all time, The Haunting.

Other films of interest to readers of this site include The Bodysnatchers, which was the last onscreen pairing of Karloff and Lugosi, the science fiction classic The Day The Earth Stood Still, The Andromeda Strain, and Audrey Rose. For a far better and more comprehensive genre-centric obituary, please refer to Hollywood Gothique. In addition, this interview with the director includes discussions on Wise's horror and sci-fi work, Dark, But Shining has posted a sweet little obituary, and Monsterzine contributes a wonderful essay on just why The Haunting works so well.

Godspeed, Mr. Wise, and thanks for the chills.