Richard Schickel

Richard Schickel (1933-2017) was an influential American film critic, journalist, documentarian and author who spent over four decades reviewing films for Time magazine. His work spanned criticism, biography, and cultural commentary, with a particular focus on Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Schickel wrote more than 35 books on film and cultural topics, including "The Disney Version" (1968), a landmark critical examination of Walt Disney and his empire. He also produced and directed over 30 documentary films, many focused on Hollywood legends and the history of cinema. A respected voice in American film criticism, Schickel was known for his thoughtful analysis and occasionally sharp critique of both contemporary cinema and Hollywood's golden age. His work at Time magazine from 1965-2010 established him as one of America's most prominent film critics during a transformative period in cinema history. During his career, Schickel interviewed and profiled numerous major figures in film history, and his documentary work included portraits of directors like Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, and Charlie Chaplin. His dual roles as critic and documentarian gave him unique insight into both the artistic and commercial aspects of filmmaking.

Readers appreciate Schickel's insider knowledge and historical detail, particularly in "The Disney Version" and his Clint Eastwood biography. His film criticism features in-depth analysis of directors' techniques and cultural context. What readers liked: - Deep research and interviews with industry figures - Clear, straightforward writing style - Behind-the-scenes revelations about Hollywood - Balance between critical analysis and historical documentation What readers disliked: - Writing can be dry and academic - Some find his criticism overly negative - Occasional repetition across books - Some books feel padded with unnecessary detail Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - "The Disney Version": 3.8/5 (420 ratings) - "Clint Eastwood: A Biography": 3.7/5 (280 ratings) - "Conversations with Scorsese": 4.1/5 (890 ratings) Amazon: - Average rating across books: 3.9/5 - Most reviewed: "D.W. Griffith: An American Life" (4.2/5) Several readers note his Time magazine reviews remain more engaging than his longer works.

The Disney Version (1968) A critical examination of Walt Disney's life and company that explores both the man's achievements and the cultural impact of his entertainment empire.

Clint: A Retrospective (1982) A detailed chronological study of Clint Eastwood's career, analyzing his evolution from television actor to movie star and director.

D.W. Griffith: An American Life (1984) A comprehensive biography of pioneering filmmaker D.W. Griffith examining his innovations in early cinema and his complicated legacy.

Common Fame (1985) An analysis of celebrity culture and its impact on American society, focusing on the relationship between stars and their public personas.

Intimate Strangers: The Culture of Celebrity (1985) An exploration of fame in modern America examining how media shapes public perceptions of celebrities.

Brando: A Life in Our Times (1991) A biographical study of Marlon Brando's career and influence on American acting and cinema.

Good Morning, Mr. Zip Zip Zip (2003) A memoir of growing up in America during World War II describing daily life and cultural changes of the period.

Woody Allen: A Life in Film (2003) A biographical examination of Woody Allen's career focusing on his development as a filmmaker and his major works.

Elia Kazan: A Biography (2005) A detailed account of director Elia Kazan's life, work, and controversial testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee.

Neal Gabler writes extensively about media, entertainment history, and cultural criticism, producing works like "Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination" and "An Empire of Their Own: How the Jews Invented Hollywood". His analysis of entertainment industry figures and institutions parallels Schickel's depth of research and historical context.

David Thomson focuses on detailed biographical and critical examinations of film history through works like "The New Biographical Dictionary of Film" and "The Whole Equation: A History of Hollywood". His writing combines historical documentation with critical analysis of cinema and its key figures.

Peter Bogdanovich bridges the worlds of filmmaking and film criticism through his books about cinema and directors, including "Who the Devil Made It" and "This is Orson Welles". His insider perspective as both director and writer provides similar insights to Schickel's dual roles as critic and documentarian.

Molly Haskell examines film through cultural and social contexts in works like "From Reverence to Rape: The Treatment of Women in the Movies" and "Frankly, My Dear: Gone with the Wind Revisited". Her analytical approach to cinema history and its cultural impact mirrors Schickel's examination of film's broader significance.

Andrew Sarris developed influential frameworks for film criticism through works like "The American Cinema: Directors and Directions 1929-1968" and "You Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet". His work as both critic and historian shares Schickel's commitment to examining cinema's artistic and historical dimensions.