The story of longtime film critic and Connecticut resident, Susan Granger, who has been in and around the movie industry for more than 80 years.
Susan Granger’s father, a director and producer, was credited by Lucille Ball as having “inspired the crazy comedy that led to ‘I Love Lucy.’” He was also praised by Columbia Pictures mogul Harry Cohn as “the unsung hero of ‘From Here to Eternity,’” including having envisioned Frank Sinatra playing the role of Maggio.
Susan started acting in films herself at the age of 4 (in small roles) with Wallace Beery, her godfather Red Skelton, Abbott & Costello, and Margaret O’Brien among others.
That background proved to be a starting point for a long career off screen and, at the age of 85, Susan is still going strong as a film critic and lecturer.
And now the tables will, in a way, be turned as Susan Granger is the focus of “It’s A Hollywood Life!,” where she shares her stories of interactions with these stars and other iconic names, and how her experiences on Hollywood sets and viewing dailies with her father helped shape her understanding and approach as a film critic.
The interviewees in “It’s A Hollywood Life!” include Juvenile Oscar winner Margaret O’Brien, actors Keir Dullea and Mia Dillon, author and film historian David C. Tucker, critic Joe Meyers, and Gary Cooper’s daughter, artist Maria Cooper Janis.
On set of "Bad Bascomb" with Harriet Deutsch, Sylvan Simon, Margaret O'Brien, and Susan Granger.
Credits
Producer
Fred Cantor
Directors
Maya Weldon-Lagrimas
Laurie Valentina Gomez Acosta
Editor
Laurie Valentina Gomez Acosta
Screenings
Ridgefield Independent Film Festival
Ridgefield, CT
Festival Premiere May 18, 2024
Festival Premiere May 18, 2024
Connecticut Public Television (CPTV)
Broadcasting Premiere October 21, 2024
