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Gary Kurtz is a Actor, Producer, Assistant Director and Editor American born on 27 july 1940 at Los Angeles (USA)

Gary Kurtz

Gary Kurtz
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Birth name Gary Douglas Kurtz
Nationality USA
Birth 27 july 1940 at Los Angeles (USA)
Death 23 september 2018 (at 78 years)

Gary Kurtz (born July 27, 1940 to Eldo M. Kurtz and Sarah H. Kurtz (née Briar) in Los Angeles, California) is an American film producer whose list of credits includes American Graffiti, Star Wars, and The Empire Strikes Back. He later produced The Dark Crystal and Return to Oz after departing from the Star Wars series. Kurtz also co-produced the 1989 science fiction adventure film Slipstream, which reunited him with Star Wars star Mark Hamill.

Biography

Après avoir débuté sa carrière en tant que producteur associé sur les films Macadam à deux voies et Chandler, il produit ensuite American Graffiti et les deux premiers épisodes de la saga Star Wars de George Lucas. Il est remplacé par Howard Kazanjian au cours du tournage de L'Empire contre-attaque en raison de retards et de difficultés financières rencontrées lors de la production. Il quitte le projet d'un commun accord en raison des tournages chaotiques des deux épisodes qui ont causé des différends commerciaux et financiers avec Lucas et son studio. Kurtz produit ensuite Dark Crystal en 1982, film de Jim Henson et Frank Oz devenu réputé au fil des années. En 1985 il mise sur Oz, un monde extraordinaire, mais le succès escompté n'est pas au rendez-vous et, dans les années qui suivent, Kurtz ne produit plus de films significatifs.

Il meurt d'un cancer le 23 septembre 2018 à North London.

Best films

Star Wars (1977)
(Producer)
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
(Producer)
American Graffiti (1973)
(Co-Producer)
The Dark Crystal (1982)
(Producer)

Usually with

George Lucas
George Lucas
(7 films)
Phil Tippett
Phil Tippett
(3 films)
Peter Diamond
Peter Diamond
(2 films)
Mark Hamill
Mark Hamill
(5 films)
Source : Wikidata

Filmography of Gary Kurtz (17 films)

Display filmography as list

Actor

Jodorowsky's Dune, 1h30
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Documentary
Themes Films about films, Documentary films about business, Documentary films about the film industry, Documentary films about films
Actors Alejandro Jodorowsky, Michel Seydoux, Nicolas Winding Refn, Brontis Jodorowsky, Amanda Lear, Richard Stanley
Roles Self
Rating79% 3.9970853.9970853.9970853.9970853.997085
Au début des années 1970, après les succès en Europe des films El Topo et La Montagne sacrée, le producteur français Michel Seydoux propose au réalisateur Alejandro Jodorowsky de produire son prochain film, lui laissant carte blanche. Jodorowsky se lance alors dans son projet le plus ambitieux : l'adaptation du roman Dune de Frank Herbert, qu'il n'a pas lu au départ, donnant par hasard le nom de cette œuvre à Seydoux car il en a entendu du bien par un ami. Mais, stimulé par le roman, il souhaite en faire une expérience spirituelle qui changera la vision des spectateurs, ce projet devenant pour lui un idéal mystique et conceptuel, du fait notamment de la présence dans le roman de l'épice, qu'il relie avec les excès de son époque (utilisation du LSD par les hippies, etc.).
The People vs. George Lucas, 1h32
Origin USA
Genres Comedy, Documentary
Themes Documentaire sur une personnalité
Actors Ahmed Best, Matthew Cohen, Michael Cornacchia, Neil Gaiman, George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola
Roles Self
Rating65% 3.2973553.2973553.2973553.2973553.297355
Génial pour certains, démoniaque pour d'autres, George Lucas est sans aucun doute le réalisateur le plus critiqué de l'histoire du cinéma. Pourquoi tant de fans de Star Wars lui ont tourné le dos lors des sorties DVD des éditions spéciales? Pourquoi George Lucas est-il autant la cible des bloggers et des critiques? The People vs. George Lucas tentera de répondre à ces questions en analysant l'héritage culturel de l'homme qui est entouré de mystère.
Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy, 2h30
Directed by Kevin Burns
Origin USA
Genres Documentary
Themes Films about films, Space adventure films, Dans l'espace, Documentary films about business, Documentary films about the film industry, Films about extraterrestrial life, Documentary films about films, Space opera, Films about extraterrestrial life
Actors Robert Clotworthy, Kenny Baker, Ben Burtt, Walter Cronkite, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg
Roles Self
Rating82% 4.1342554.1342554.1342554.1342554.134255
L'Empire des Rêves relate l'épopée que fût la création de la première trilogie Star Wars. Des tous premières ébauches de scénario dans l'esprit de son créateur George Lucas jusqu'au succès qu'on connaît à la saga, ce documentaire nous entraine dans les coulisses d'un tournage tantôt chaotique, tantôt enivrant, racontés par les acteurs, les membres de la production, et George Lucas lui-même.
The Godfather Part II, 3h22
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Mob film, Crime
Themes Films about alcoholism, Films about immigration, Mafia films, Seafaring films, Transport films, La précarité, Gangster films, L'émigration
Actors Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro, Talia Shire, Morgana King
Roles Photographer in Court (uncredited)
Rating86% 4.3051254.3051254.3051254.3051254.305125
In 1901, Corleone, Sicily, nine-year-old Vito Andolini’s family is killed after his father insults local Mafia chieftain Don Ciccio. He escapes to New York and is registered as "Vito Corleone" on Ellis Island.

Producer

The Steal
The Steal (1995)

Genres Thriller, Comedy
Actors Alfred Molina, Helen Slater, Peter Bowles, Dinsdale Landen, Heathcote Williams, Stephen Fry
Roles Producer
Rating48% 2.4259652.4259652.4259652.4259652.425965
Dans ce thriller comique, un avocat et une pirate informatique cherchent à se venger d'un promoteur qui a dépouillé les habitants d'une île de leurs terres.
Slipstream
Slipstream (1989)
, 1h42
Directed by Steven Lisberger
Genres Science fiction, Adventure
Themes Post-apocalyptic films, Films about religion, Transport films, Aviation films, Films set in the future, Political films, Road movies, Dystopian films, Chase films, Disaster films
Actors Bob Peck, Mark Hamill, Kitty Aldridge, Bill Paxton, Robbie Coltrane, Eleanor David
Roles Producer
Rating47% 2.3525252.3525252.3525252.3525252.352525
The film opens with a mysterious man, later referred to as "Byron" (portrayed by Bob Peck), running down a canyon, being harassed by an aeroplane. Byron takes refuge from his pursuers on a precipice overlooking the canyon. The plane lands and its occupants, two obsessive law enforcement officers named Will Tasker and Belitski (Mark Hamill and Kitty Aldridge), chase the man on foot. They shoot the fugitive through the arm with a grappling hook. The fugitive looks at his arm, but does not seem injured, only intrigued. Tasker pulls on the rope now connected to the fugitive. He tumbles down the side of the canyon, but once again is not harmed. Immediately after his fall, the fugitive recites the words of famous World War II aviator and poet John Gillespie Magee, Jr., "I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth - put out my hand and touched the Face of God.", from the poem High Flight.
Return to Oz, 1h53
Directed by Walter Murch
Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Fantastic, Fantasy, Adventure
Themes Films about magic and magicians, Monde imaginaire, Le pays d'Oz, Witches in film, Children's films, Robot films
Actors Fairuza Balk, Nicol Williamson, Brian Henson, Jean Marsh, Piper Laurie, Seán Barrett
Roles Executive Producer
Rating67% 3.398243.398243.398243.398243.39824
In October 1899, six months after returning home from the Land of Oz, Dorothy Gale has become melancholic. Her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry take her to Dr. Worley, known for his electrotherapy treatments, and leave her under the care of Nurse Wilson. During a thunderstorm, the lab suffers a blackout and Dorothy is saved by a mysterious girl. They escape with Nurse Wilson in pursuit, and fall into a river. Dorothy clambers aboard a chicken coop, but the other girl appears to have vanished underwater.
The Dark Crystal, 1h28
Directed by Frank Oz, Jim Henson
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Science fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Animation
Themes Films about magic and magicians, Children's films
Actors Lisa Maxwell, Barry Dennen, Frank Oz, Jim Henson, Billie Whitelaw, Dave Goelz
Roles Producer
Rating70% 3.5499753.5499753.5499753.5499753.549975
A thousand years ago on the planet Thra, a magical crystal cracked, and two new races appeared: the malevolent Skeksis, who use the power of the "Dark Crystal" to continually replenish themselves, and kind wizards called Mystics.
The Empire Strikes Back, 2h4
Directed by Irvin Kershner
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Science fiction, Action, Adventure
Themes Space adventure films, Monde imaginaire, Dans l'espace, Sur une planète fictive, Films about extraterrestrial life, Films about disabilities, Space opera, Children's films, Films about extraterrestrial life, Robot films
Actors Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse
Roles Producer
Rating84% 4.2101654.2101654.2101654.2101654.210165
Three years after the destruction of the Death Star, the Rebel Alliance has been driven from their former base on Yavin IV by the Galactic Empire. Princess Leia leads a contingent including Han Solo and Luke Skywalker in a new base on the icy planet Hoth. The Imperial Fleet, led by Darth Vader, continues to hunt for Rebels’ new base by dispatching probe droids across the galaxy.
Star Wars
Star Wars (1977)
, 2h1
Directed by George Lucas
Origin USA
Genres Science fiction, Fantastic, Adventure
Themes Space adventure films, Monde imaginaire, Dans l'espace, Sur une planète fictive, Films about extraterrestrial life, Space opera, Children's films, Films about extraterrestrial life, Robot films
Actors Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Peter Cushing, Alec Guinness, Peter Mayhew
Roles Producer
Rating82% 4.1123154.1123154.1123154.1123154.112315
The galaxy is in a civil war, and spies for the Rebel Alliance have stolen plans to the Galactic Empire's Death Star, a heavily armed and armored space station capable of destroying entire planets. Rebel leader Princess Leia is in possession of the plans, but her ship is captured by Imperial forces under the command of the evil Lord Darth Vader. Before she is captured Leia hides the plans in the memory of an astromech droid called R2-D2, along with a holographic recording. The droid, accompanied by fellow protocol droid C-3PO, escape from the captured ship to the desert planet Tatooine.
American Graffiti, 1h52
Directed by George Lucas
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Comedy-drama
Themes L'adolescence, Films about children, Radio, Sports films, Transport films, Films about automobiles, Auto racing films, Musical films, Road movies, Children's films, Teen movie
Actors Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith, Candy Clark, Mackenzie Phillips
Roles Co-Producer
Rating73% 3.69713.69713.69713.69713.6971
In early September, 1962, recent high school graduates and longtime friends, Curt Henderson and Steve Bolander, meet John Milner and Terry "The Toad" Fields at the local Mel's Drive-In parking lot. Despite receiving a $2,000 scholarship from the local Moose lodge, Curt is undecided if he wants to leave the next morning with Steve to go to the northeastern United States to begin college. Steve lets Toad borrow his 1958 Chevrolet Impala for the evening and while he's away at college. Steve's girlfriend, Laurie, who also is Curt's sister, is unsure of Steve's leaving, to which he suggests - to Laurie's surprise - they see other people while he is away to "strengthen" their relationship. She is not happy with his proposal.
Chandler
Chandler (1971)
, 1h25
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Crime
Actors Warren Oates, Leslie Caron, Mitch Ryan, Gordon Pinsent, Charles McGraw, Richard Loo
Roles Associate Producer
Rating44% 2.2195152.2195152.2195152.2195152.219515
In a deliberate throwback to 1940s films noir, a former private eye from that period, Chandler, takes up his old work again, and finds himself constantly driving old cars. He is ostensibly hired by the government to protect a witness, Katherine Creighton, from a gangland leader, John Melchior, who wants to kill her. But Chandler is in fact working for a corrupt government agent, Ross J. Carmady, who is using him as a dupe so that Carmady can murder Melchior and put his own double agent at the top of the racket.
Two-Lane Blacktop, 1h42
Directed by Monte Hellman
Origin USA
Genres Drama
Themes Sports films, Transport films, Films about automobiles, Auto racing films, Road movies
Actors James Taylor, Warren Oates, Laurie Bird, Rudy Wurlitzer, Harry Dean Stanton, David Drake
Roles Associate Producer
Rating71% 3.596873.596873.596873.596873.59687
The premise involves two street racers (played by Taylor and Wilson) who live on the road in their highly modified, grey-primered, brutal 1955 Chevrolet 150 two-door sedan drag car and drift from town to town, making their income by challenging local residents to impromptu drag races. The movie follows them driving east on Route 66 from Needles, California. They pick up a female hitchhiker in Flagstaff, Arizona (played by Bird), although it is more accurate to say that she picks them up by simply getting into their car. In New Mexico, they encounter another car driver (played by Oates, driving a 1970 Pontiac GTO). An atmosphere of hostility develops between the two parties. Although Oates is not an overt street racer, and, in fact, seems to know little about cars, a cross-country race to Washington, D.C. is suggested. Taylor proposes that the prize should be "for pinks," or legal ownership of the loser's car. Characters are never identified by name in the movie; instead they are named "The Driver," "The Mechanic," "GTO," and "The Girl". The movie follows the group east through small towns in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee, but no character makes it to Washington, D.C. during the film.
The Emperor
Directed by George Lucas
Origin USA
Genres Comedy, Documentary, Musical
Actors George Lucas
Roles Producer
Rating58% 2.919522.919522.919522.919522.91952