"Wright on Film" series in Chicago

Paul Ringstrom · Post by **Paul Ringstrom** » Tue Feb 21, 2017 12:27 pm

http://chicago.curbed.com/2017/2/20/146 ... ilm-series

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Tue Feb 21, 2017 12:36 pm

I was underwhelmed by Burns' film; it wasn't nearly as good as the BBC by Murray Grigor, narrated by Anne Baxter.

I would like to see "Magnificent Obsession." Did Jane Wyman do the narration?

DRN · Post by **DRN** » Tue Feb 21, 2017 1:05 pm

I was underwhelmed by Burns' film

I thought it was a disservice to Wright....maybe that was the intent. Ken Burns' trademark cutaway from visuals to talking heads is quite effective in his films when the talking heads are applicable to the subject.

But seriously:
Robert A.M. Stern...talking about something other than Wright in NYC?

Brendan Gill...I guess Burns bought Gill's "bio" hook line and sinker.

Maya Lin??? her tone, facial expressions, and commentary sounded as if Wright had just mugged her in a dark alley....maybe that is what his work does for her.

I'm surprised more clients, former apprentices, and architects actually practicing in the 1950's were not interviewed.

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Tue Feb 21, 2017 1:17 pm

Burns interviewed Roland and Ronnie Reisley extensively, and didn't use it in the finished product. So in essence, he met the experts and decided instead to focus on the celebrities (Johnson, Stern, Lin, Gill, etc.).

Burns showed up at a FLWBC Conference in Chicago at a gathering in the Rookery, and gave a quick speech that made it obvious that he had heard some disquieting rumbling from the gathered throng ... even though it was before the documentary was released. He was very defensive and pointed out that his film was different from Grigor's, as if we couldn't figure that out for ourselves. I think his documentaries on the Civil War (which he did in collaboration with his brother) and baseball were probably better, but when he goes beyond his wheelhouse, he depends too much on outside help.

jmcnally · Post by **jmcnally** » Tue Feb 21, 2017 3:47 pm

I remember his series entitled "Baseball." It was all about the New York Yankees.

I adored his series about the Civil War, and he changed the way such documentaries are presented, but (like others) I question his choice of talking heads.

Paul Ringstrom · Post by **Paul Ringstrom** » Tue Feb 21, 2017 6:27 pm

If you have never seen it, "Magnificent Obsession" is very well done and covers a part of Wright's career that is lightly documented. The producers live in Japan so they appear to know their subject quite well.