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ROBERT B. RADNITZ, 1924 - 2010
Robert B. Radnitz, who entertained a generation as producer of the films Sounder, Cross Creek, Island of the Blue Dolphins and many others died June 6 at his home in Malibu, California, from complications of a stroke suffered years earlier. He was 85 years old.
Radnitz's passion was stimulating the imagination of both children and adults. Parents and teachers came to recognize that his name on a motion picture ensured a creative experience that could be shared between generations. He was awarded many accolades, from eight Academy Award nominations for his films to a joint resolution honoring his work from the U.S. Congress.
Born August 9, 1924, in Great Neck, Long Island, Radnitz was the only child of Fred and Lilyn Radnitz. Afflicted with asthma as a child, he was a voracious reader. A love of movies was nurtured by Saturday visits with his father to Manhattan, for at least one double feature per trip. He dreamed of bringing great literature to the screen.
He enrolled at the University of Virginia due to the school's renowned curricula in English literature and drama. He became editor of the school's literary magazine, managed the drama society and founded an off-campus playhouse. After graduating, he initially stayed at the University teaching English, but ultimately decided to pursue a career in stage and film.
He served an apprenticeship with legendary theatrical director Harold Clurman. Afterward, he became a stage manager at the West Hampton Playhouse and then a producer on Broadway. Noted critic Walter Kerr called his 1955 The Young and the Beautiful "…a perfect production." It went on to play successfully on London's West End.
Feeling that his ultimate contributions would be in motion pictures, Radnitz moved to Hollywood. After a stint at United Artists, he became a story consultant for production chief Buddy Adler at 20th Century Fox. This led to the opportunity to produce his first movie, A Dog of Flanders, released in 1960.
A Dog of Flanders established the pattern for most future Robert Radnitz films: a family film, based on an acclaimed novel, featuring a young person who must overcome adversity. All of his films were shot entirely on location, many using local non-actors in secondary roles. The soundtracks were often filled with indigenous music.
"No other art can match motion pictures' potential for conveying place," said Radnitz. "The exposure to a new geography can be one of the great joys of movie-going."
Despite making films about and for young people, Radnitz avoided the sweet and sentimental. Critic Judith Crist of New York magazine said that Radnitz "restores respectability to the oft abused genre of family films."
A Dog of Flanders established another pattern for Radnitz's films: awards and accolades. It won the Grand Prix Gold Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival (the first American film so honored).
Over the next thirty years Radnitz produced another dozen popular motion pictures, including Misty, My Side of the Mountain, Where the Lilies Bloom, plus two television films, Mary White and Never Forget, all of which received awards and critical praise.
His most honored film was Sounder, in 1972. It was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar and three other Academy Awards. It received a Special Humanitarian Award from the California State Assembly and four NAACP Image Awards, including one for Radnitz. It was also his biggest commercial success.
The year Sounder was released Radnitz received his greatest tribute: becoming the first filmmaker ever honored by a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress for his body of work.
Radnitz overcame his childhood asthma to become a robust adult. He swam every morning year-round in the Pacific Ocean, just steps from his Malibu home. Known as one of the best non-pro tennis players in Southern California, he held his own against members of the Pepperdine University tennis team half his age, playing nearly every day.
Only wearing long pants or a tie when absolutely necessary, he was well known in the restaurants of Malibu and Hollywood in his trademark white FILA tennis outfit, arriving behind the wheel of his white convertible with the license plates "CALM." Asked about the plates, he would explain, "It is a state I hope one day to achieve."
Driving that car along Pacific Cost Highway to Pepperdine one day, he spotted an attractive woman jogging. Seeing her again the next day, he pulled over to talk to her. Thus he met Pearl, who became his wife of over 20 years.
Radnitz had several new projects in the works when he suffered a massive stroke in 1996 that effectively ended his career and started a long deterioration of his health. Although confined to a wheelchair, he still attended movies regularly (and expressed his opinions loudly) and still got out onto the tennis court twice weekly to return balls.
He passed away Sunday night, June 6, at his Malibu home, surrounded by his devoted wife Pearl and his beloved dogs, Coco, Junior and Rosebud, finally achieving a state of calm. Radnitz had no children, but leaves behind an impressive legacy.
When Radnitz received the joint resolution of Congress, Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas paid him tribute with the words, "The films Robert Radnitz has produced touch the common thread of humanity and that's why he's made such a great and glorious contribution to the thing that makes our society a viable, living, vibrant whole."
He will be laid to rest next to his parents in New York in a private ceremony. Plans for a memorial service in Los Angeles are pending. In lieu of flowers, Pearl Radnitz suggests friends make donations to their favorite charities in Robert Radnitz's name.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Dear Pearl: Though we've never met, my late husband Joseph Stefano and I considered Bob an old friend, which we had been in the early sixties. They tried to put together a couple of properties to work on together but, they fell through, as so often happens, but I have lovely memories of time spent with him, and what an interesting and passionate and fun man he was. My sincerest condolences,
Marilyn Stefano
Marilyn Stefano
July 4, 2010
Dear Pearl, I have never had the pleasure of meeting you but I knew Bob very well. I was the young boy who Bob cast to play Sam in "My Side of the Mountain". I spent the better part of a year and a half with him in Canada, London, Los Angeles and traveling across the U.S. to promote the movie.
He was a great producer and a truly inspiring man. He changed my life and I will be forever grateful for his influence and his kindness.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences for your loss.
With love and appreciation,
Teddy Eccles
Teddy Eccles
June 18, 2010
Mr. Radnitz called me after reading an essay I wrote for the New York Times Magazine. He was a wonderful mentor to me. I drove from Portland to L.A. to meet him in person. It's a memory I treasure.
Susan G. Hauser Portland, Oregon
June 18, 2010
so many will be forever touched by his work. Bob was a special man who will be missed... I'm sure he is somewhere, sitting peacefully, watching the dolphins and the water. CALM.
t phillips
June 16, 2010
A fitting tribute for an extraordinary man.
Lorette Phillips
June 16, 2010
Beautiful tribute to a great talent. I hope his example will be followed by those now in the creative arts and those studying to follow in his footsteps. Art is eternal -- so will be Radnitz' works.
Alba Arboleda Gross
June 14, 2010
Dear Pearl,
So strange that I have been thinking about you and Bob for the last month or so. I remember fondly the times Steve Singer and I had visiting you guys at your beautiful home. Steve passed away last year April, in San Antonio, TX. I wish you peace during this sad time.
With love,
Nancy K. Brigden
Nancy K. Brigden
June 13, 2010
Dear Pearl ,It has been many years since we've spent time with you and Bob but we remember our wonderful days together at the Mauna Kea . Sincerely,Stan and Barbara Jacobs
June 11, 2010
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