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Quint bids a fond farewell and adieu to Jaws producer David Brown
Hey, guys. Quint here. I guess it’s appropriate that I write up the passing of legendary producer David Brown considering without him I’d be calling myself Hudson or Moonchild or, God forbid, my given name on this site.
David Brown partnered with Richard Zanuck officially in 1972, but the two worked together at 20th Century Fox, which was run by Richard’s father, Darryl F. Zanuck, years before. A successful short story writer, Brown was hired by Zanuck Sr. in 1952 to head up Fox’s story department. Over the years he connected with Zanuck Jr. and ultimately they branched off and began a producing career.
This collaboration was notable for many reasons, namely the cinematic birth of one Steven Spielberg. While Duel might have been one of Spielberg’s first films it wasn’t intended as a theatrical experience. It was a quickie TV movie that was so good it got an international theatrical run. I don’t know for sure if it ever went to the big screen here in the states, but I know it did in foreign markets.
His first theatrical feature, pairing him with John Williams for the first time, was SUGARLAND EXPRESS starring Goldie Hawn and the great William Atherton, who you know mostly as the asshole in every ‘80s movie (like Peck in Ghostbusters or the popcorn house professor in Real Genius), but played a much more sympathetic role in this movie. This was Zanuck and Brown’s first collaboration with Spielberg, but their next is what made history.
I have to give Zanuck and Brown a lot of credit because the horror story that was the production of JAWS could have ended in disaster without their support. In all the behind the scenes I’ve seen, the personal conversations I’ve had with those involved and the thorough readings of Carl Gottlieb’s The Jaws Log I have come to the conclusion that as great as Spielberg is, as perfect as the cast was, as magnificent as the score was without David Brown and Richard Zanuck JAWS wouldn’t exist.
They protected Spielberg when the production stretched way past its allotted schedule, they were able to keep film rolling through the camera as the budget doubled. I’m sure there must have been some heated moments between them and Spielberg, but at the end of the day the dude got to finish the movie and it turned out to be the world’s first $100 million blockbuster, setting the template for big studio summer tentpole pictures.
David Brown’s producing work literally changed the way the business was run. You can argue for the good or ill, but you can’t argue the impact.
Brown also produced THE STING, which won the Best Picture Oscar, THE VERDICT, which was nominated, blaxploitation flick WILLIE DYNAMITE, Don Siegel’s THE BLACK WINDMILL, Clint Eastwood’s THE EIGER SANCTION and COCOON with Richard Zanuck as well as A FEW GOOD MEN, DRIVING MISS DAISY, Altman’s THE PLAYER, KISS THE GIRLS, ANGELA’S ASHES and CHOCOLAT.
I was invited to the world premiere of Spielberg’s WAR OF THE WORLDS in New York City back in 2005. I have a few memories that stand out from that event. One is meeting Dennis Muren who was standing around with no fanfare at the afterparty as the crowd swarmed the stars. I had to gush. Another is seeing Tim Robbins and Bill O’Reilly talking to each other and wondering if the universe was about to fall in on itself. Another is getting to tell Kate Capshaw with all sincerity that I loved her in Temple of Doom.
And another was spotting David Brown as he exited the theater. I couldn’t miss the mustache. The mob was pushing towards the afterparty and we were being jostled together. I stopped and introduced myself and I thanked him for producing my favorite movie of all time. He smiled and thanked me for the kind words, shaking my hand and that was about it.
We didn’t talk, we didn’t share stories or connect on anything but a cordial surface level, but I will remember that moment.
Thank you, Mr. Brown.
-Quint
quint@aintitcool.com
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about "Sugarland Express" - QUITE the character. Brown was old school Hollywood.
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Seriously, he pretty much gave the world Spielberg, so he deserves a shout-out here. Rest in peace, and good job.
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never any love for the grips, gaffers or dude that sets up the kraft
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He gets hounded for days to put up this obit; now it gets trolled and will probably close out with most of the whiners who asked for it not even showing up to pay their respects.
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The kind of thing you might get from Finke but not here. Appreciated.
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Nope. Admirers.
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Here I am, MisterManReturns
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David Brown kept the best movie ever put to film afloat when all hope seemed lost of ever getting Bruce to hit his goddamn marks.
Against all odds, he & his partner Richard made movie history...and successfully created the first 'summer blockbuster'...along with many other wonderful films.
Old school filmmaking has died...but, David, wherever you are...you helped to change my life and give me direction.
Thanks for the great memories. You had an eye for compelling stories and the determination to find the superb talent to tell these stories.
RIP, Mr. Brown. I'll never put on a life jacket again. -
He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brought him.
R.I.P Mr Brown.
Jaws will always be my favourite film. -
Having watched quit a few documentaries on Jaws,I can safely say this man deserves a huge amount of credits for for putting his ass on the line. If it wasn't for him, the studio would have shut Jaws down mid production and we might never have seen the film. Farewell Sir!
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Dont let the word "UFO" confuse you no one knows what the fuck they are but theres like fucking 8 of them all as big as planet earth, You can fit like 5,000 earths in the sun
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http://tinyurl.com/yhysw2o
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a low 150,000 views. AICN post something man. bad shit is happening in the cosmos man. Fucking earth sized objects in the suns corona. What are they- could it be mass/matter from with in the sun- maybe blown out in an explosion- escaping far enough to cool into solid the solid mass. wtf is it and can it fuck us up. thats what i want to know. Nasa pulled the images down. fucking tell everyone. Earth size fucking objects around the sun- no one knows what the fuck they are.....
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you all better make muther fucking peace with whatever you believe in and fuck/play like everyday is your last day on earth
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See... As the Joker would say you never hit the head first. The victim gets all fuzzy. We are so fucked. So goddamn reamed.
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...come down and chum some of this shit" RIP to the producer of one of the most perfect films ever released.
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ANYONE involved in the making of JAWS deserves accolades. Bravo, sir.
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Feb 04, 2010 7:09:19 AM CST
If the only movie he made was Jaws.... Fuckin Legend
by nomoredirtyjokespleaseweareyanks
I always loved him and Rich for this movie alone.... R.I.P.
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R.IP. Mr. Brown. Your contribution to film will never be forgotten. Thanks for providing me endless viewings of my favorite film, JAWS.
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I was bitching about this for a couple days. Glad you came through.
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William Atherton did not play a good guy role in SUGARLAND EXPRESS. He played Goldie Hawn's husband--hardly a "good" guy.
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I remember reading about this documentary a long time ago. I even think it screened in a few places. Is it ever coming out on DVD?
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... I was right with you there. I was giving Quint grief, too! Thanks for the great obit, Quint. Mr. Brown was one of the "old guard" (I can't even think of any others still alive off the top of my head), and a real honest-to-God gentlemen. May he rest in peace.
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go fuck off, will you?
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....he must have gotten a great deal of satisfaction by being involved by such an influential movie....and by playing such a big part in it's origin.The movie was a huge part of my childhood, and will always remain an awesome watch on a big screen into the future.Partly due to him, that classic movie had a huge impact on popular culture in general, and the movie business in particular.Well done Sir, thanks, and rest in peace.Oh, and Spielberg should have owned that Oscar way back then....@ TheJudger....the dude that posted that clip was a real nut-job unsurprisingly. He reckoned he'd seen several UFO's in the past....and that all his family had seen some too!He didn't even magnify the objects onscreen for a closer look....Anyway, whatever they are, they're pretty crisped being that close to the Sun, so I wouldn't lose any sleep over it....
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It IS that good
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....what the hell's happening with the excellent looking 'The Shark is Still Working' doc. as far as a DVD release is concerned?Anybody?
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You were one of the first 'behind the camera' big names i ever followed with interest. Thank you for what you've given to us.
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...whenever people ask me what my favorite movie is, I tell them either Jaws or Body Heat. Depends on which one I've seen last. Oh and William Atherton was not a bad guy in Sugarland Express. He was a petty criminal that was serving his time. He didn't have long to go but he escaped from jail because Goldie wanted her baby. So maybe not the traditional good guy, but our sympathies were with him. The fact he wasn't a stereotypical "good guy" made him seem more real. I wonder whatever happened to the deputy in that. Guess I'll have to imdb him.
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Jaws is my favorite movie too. Brown was an old school producer that brought some absolute classics to the screen. Definitely one of the old guard, he'll be missed. We could use more guys like him in Hollywood these days.
I'll also ask where the hell "The Shark is Still Working" is. Any idea, Quint? -
..We will tell them you've gone fishing! a little off subject but whatever did happen to Harry's weekly DVD reviews, Script Girl and The Shark Is Still Working documentery?
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Jaws changed my life.I was 11 when it was released in Australia, and ive loved movies ever since.I still have every magazine & paper clipping and the programme. from Jaws...im just glad the bloke gets a mention
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It has screened to great reviews. I don't know what their current plan with it is, but I know they had rights issues with the footage, Universal was charging an arm a leg for it and as you know you can't do a Jaws documentary without Jaws footage. I guess they got festival rights for the footage?It's a great doc and I hope they get it out there. Maybe Universal will buy it for the inevitable Jaws Blu-Ray?
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For Quint and others who respect and admire great old school guys like David Brown, definitely check out his autobiography. It's a quick read, but some really great anecdotes that haven't been heard in other articles. Amazon has it cheap...here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Let-Entertain-You-David-Brown/dp/1893224279/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265309257&sr=1-1 -
Great talent, "The Sting" is fantastic. "Jaws" of course. And "Cocoon", where he agreeed to finance a film that let some Golden Age actors have very meaty parts. We need more people with his attitude in Hollywood.------later-----m
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Quint do you know? Its bullshit that the greatest movie ever made isn't on blu ray yet....
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It was too bad to find out that the poeple behind my favorite films growing up were complete scum of the earth. I mean complete degenerates. It's unfortuante that the most creative and talented people out there are also the people you would least want to know personally.
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that zanuck and brown didnt seem all that bad in the book, although there wasn't much about them...
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You have been warned... By the by I already said my condolences for this awesome producer many threads ago. I think I was the first one to drop the info of his passing here. Truly sad, but seriously something wicked this way comes and we were given plenty of signs. Done jacking the thread. Haarp might have been what caused the quake in Haiti, bluebeam could have been norway and like 9 planet sized objects are rotating around the sun, and you tell me we shouldnt be a little worried. Tesla what have you wrought. I'm worried. Rip David Brown
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I am very grateful for his amazing work and support of great talent.
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I worked at MCA's NY office when Zanuck-Brown was headquarted at Universal. I spoke with David on many occasions and he was always very polite, a complete gentleman and seemed genuinely engaged in our conversations even though I was just a kid starting out in the business. I got the impression that this was how he treated everybody. He was truly class all the way. My condolences to his family.
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Make sure you read Down and Dirty pictures as well. Yet if you love the Weinsteins get ready to have a change of heart.
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you, sir, are a grade A moron...
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