mentor. (Later Clint would dedicate his film
ponderous vein of Ingmar Bergman. It was such a
Unforgiven to “Don and Sergio.”)
departure from his earlier work that it left audiences
Woody’s first film as a director was Take the
divided, though some critics praised its ambition.
Money and Run (1969). It was not a brilliant debut –
Also wanting to explore deeper themes, Clint took the
at this stage he was still stringing together various
lead in The Beguiled, directed by Don Siegel. This
gags and routines, building the film around his
was a very different role from the indomitable Man
clumsy stand-up persona. He was a comedian
with No Name. Clint played a vulnerable cha racter, a
learning the craft of directing on the job. He would
wounded Civil War veteran who falls victim to the
gradually develop his skills as a film writer, actor and
inmates of a female boarding school. It alienated his
director, till his career reached a high point with
traditional audience (though well-received by
Annie Hall in 1977 – which won Oscars for Best Film
European filmgoers) to such an extent that he
and Best Director.
remained wary of straying from safe territory in
Clint made his debut as a director with Play
following years. He kept largely to a well-trodden
Misty For Me in 1971. He had Don Siegel playing a
path, with several Dirty Harry sequels and other
bit part as a bartender – really an excuse to have him
action films.
close by on the set in case in case he needed help. As
During these years however, with his continuing
it turned out, he managed to complete the film on his
success as one of the world’s biggest film stars, Clint
own, and it was quite well-received. Clint had proved
gained increasing power in the industry and control
himself as capable and reliable director, whose
over his own work. He would produce and direct his
economical working methods allowed him to get a
own films more frequently. During the 1980’s, along
film made under budget and on schedule. He also
with more conventional fare, he ventured to explore
established his own production company, Malpaso,
personal material such as Bronco Billy and Bird, on
that would give him increasing control over his work
the life of Jazz musician Charlie Parker. Bird was a
as a film producer.
tribute to Clint’s love of Jazz music – an
Another landmark role for Clint was Dirty Harry
unfashionable subject that limited its appeal to
(1971), also directed by Don Siegel. As a self-reliant
commercial audiences. It also flagged Clint’s interest
vigilante, Dirty Harry was a close relative of the Man
in directing films in which he did not star. White
with No Name, and another character that would
Hunter, Black Heart (1990) was another notable
define his image. Early in their careers, both Clint and
project from Clint in which he played against type,
Woody had a well-defined persona, which though
defying the expectations of audiences, with limited
limited in range, they exploited so successfully that
commercial success.
they became icons of the cinema and popular culture.
Both also made attempts to break free of the
The love of Jazz music is another trait shared by
Woody Allen. He is an accomplished clarinettist,
limits which these roles imposed on them. Woody
playing for many years with his band at a New York
made his first “serious” film, Interiors in 1978, in the
pub. They have also played on the soundtrack of a