Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Joseph L. Mankiewicz (February 11, 1909 to February 5, 1993) was an American filmmaker born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, known for witty, literate dialogue and a signature use of voice over narration and narrative flashbacks. He was recognized as an accomplished director of actors, notably drawing memorable performances from Bette Davis, Gene Tierney, Humphrey Bogart, and Elizabeth Taylor. A four time Academy Award winner, he won consecutive Oscars for both writing and directing A Letter to Three Wives in 1949 and All About Eve in 1950, the latter nominated for a record fourteen Academy Awards, and was later nominated again for directing Sleuth in 1972. His directorial debut was Dragonwyck in 1946, and he also produced The Philadelphia Story in 1940 and Woman of the Year in 1942. His later films included The Barefoot Contessa in 1954, Guys and Dolls in 1955, and Cleopatra in 1963, which despite a troubled production was the highest grossing film of that year.