Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick (1996)

Synopsis: The extraordinary life and times of pioneering director William A. Wellman are explored in this documentary that not only offers a glimpse of the man and his work but also provides insight into the early Hollywood studio system. From... The extraordinary life and times of pioneering director William A. Wellman are explored in this documentary that not only offers a glimpse of the man and his work but also provides insight into the early Hollywood studio system. From Wellman's beginnings in Brookline, Massachusetts, through his career as a distinguished flier in World War I to his rise as a Hollywood director in the 1920s, the film includes the breadth of his life--which embraced five marriages and an equally stormy relationship with Hollywood that resulted in 76 films. Wellman's grit and determination netted a string of classics, which include WINGS, the first Best Picture Academy Award winner; PUBLIC ENEMY, which introduced James Cagney to the screen; the original A STAR IS BORN; and THE OX-BOW INCIDENT. More than two dozen interviews with such contemporary figures as Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford, Richard Widmark, and Jane Wyman offer entertaining testament to Wellman's legacy. This documentary tribute to Wellman's vast skill is fitting recognition of his profound contribution to contemporary cinema. Alec Baldwin narrates the film. [More]

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford, Mike Connors, James Garner

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford, Mike Connors, James Garner, Tab Hunter, Tom Laughlin, Burgess Meredith, Robert Stack, Richard Widmark, Robert Wise, Jane Wyman, Nancy Reagan

Director: Todd Robinson

Director: Todd Robinson

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