Robert Wise

I am a little saddened today. While reading the newspaper, I found out that Robert Wise died on Wednesday at the grand age of 91. To many, Robert Wise means absolutely nothing. But I'm different.

You see, growing up, I remember watching The Sound of Music about once a week. Every Easter and Christmas for sure. I memorized everything about the movie, the lines, the music, the dances, even the opening credits. And I always remember seeing: "Directed by Robert Wise." I've read a little bit about Wise over the years and always found myself admiring him. Martin Scorcese, one of the leaders who campaigned to give Wise an American Film Institute award for life achievement in 1998 told the Chicago Tribune: "He represents the American tradition of excellence and honesty and integrity...he was the Steven Spielberg of his time."

The thing is that if I had to list some characteristics of the American tradition, I'm not sure excellence, honesty, and integrity would be in there. Maybe half a century ago. But now? I'd say those are three gaping holes within out current tradition.

The Sound of Music was the movie of my childhood. As I grew up, I continued to love a good musical, and I eventually settled on my all-time favourite either on the stage or screen: West Side Story. It wasn't until years later that I discovered Robert Wise directed this film as well. Along with Lenny Bernstein, Steven Sondheim, and Jerome Robins, these men made movie-musical histroy when they brought the Sharks and the Jets/Capulets and Montegues to America in 1961.

For those of you who don't know musicals, one of Wise's earlier jobs was editing Citizen Kane, for which he was nominated for an Oscar. He was actually nominated many times, winning two directing awards for The Sound of Music and West Side Story.

I know these movies were made decades ago and aren't really that cool or popular any more. I'm okay with that. But I am a little sad today. I appreciate his modest nature, his attitude towards his craft, his family. On a cold afternoon or relaxing weekend this fall I'll put in one of those movies. I need to see them again.