April 28, 2018 9:41AM PT
Michael Anderson, `Logan's Run' Director, Dies at 98
By Erin Nyren
 
Staff Editor
@ecnyren
 
FILM DIRECTOR MICHAEL ANDERSON - 1965VARIOUS
CREDIT: Denis Cameron/REX/Shutterstock
 
Michael Anderson, the British director who was nominated for an Academy Award
for his direction on "Around the World in 80 Days," died in Vancouver
Wednesday. He was 98.
 
Anderson's career began in the '40s as an assistant director before he joined
the Royal Signal Corps during the war. After Anderson was discharged, he
signed a contract with Associated British Picture Corporation, for whom he
directed five films.
 
The third film, 1955's "The Dam Busters," starring Richard Todd, which was the
biggest film of the year for Britain at the box office. The film will be
presented at the Royal Albert Hall in London and simulcast into 400 theatres
throughout the UK on May 17 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Royal
Air Force's most daring operation of World War II.
 
Anderson was asked to direct "Around the World in 80 Days" after the original
director John Farrow had a falling out with producer Mike Todd. Anderson also
received a Golden Globe nod in addition to his Oscar nom for his work in the
film, which won best picture in 1956. The film starred David Niven, Shirley
Maclaine, Robert Newton and Cantinflas, with dozens of cameo appearances by
other well-known names, including Marlene Dietrich, Frank Sinatra, Buster
Keaton, Red Skelton, and Edward R. Murrow.
 
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Anderson worked with numerous big-name actors of the era, including James
Cagney on "Shake Hands with the Devil" and Gary Cooper and Charlton Heston on
"The Wreck of the Mary Deare." He reunited with Cooper on "The Naked Edge,"
Cooper's last film.
 
He also worked with notable British stars, including Michael Redgrave, Alec
Guinness, Peter Ustinov, Richard Todd, and Laurence Olivier.
 
"Logan's Run" debuted in 1976 as one of the most expensive films of the year
and earned $50 million at the box office for Metro Goldwyn Mayer. The film
starred Michael York, Jenny Agutter, Richard Jordan, Roscoe Lee Browne, Farrah
Fawcett, and Peter Ustinov and won a Special Academy Award for its innovative
special effects.
 
Anderson is survived by his wife of 40 years, Adrianne Ellis, and his
stepchildren, actress Laurie Holden ("The Walking Dead," "The X-Files," "The
Shield," "The Americans"), Christopher Holden, and his namesake, Michael
Anderson, Jr.
 
 
Regards,
 
Roger

--- Klaatu barada Nickto
 * Origin: NCS BBS -Houma, LoUiSiAna (1:3828/7)