By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 5 cats
Director: Tom Donahue
Country: united_states
Year: 2013
Running time: 89
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2130321/combined
Bruce says: “For most film buffs CASTING BY is essential fare. The film’s primary focus is the amazing, serendipitous casting career of Marion Dougherty and the vast influence she has had in the film industry both on the east coast and in Hollywood. Dougherty stumbled into her profession. She arrived in New York after college and became a window dresser at Bergdorf Goodman. A close friend of hers was the casting director for Kraft Playhouse on network television. Intrigued by his work Dougherty immediately said ‘yes’ when he asked her to become his assistant. Within four months she took over his position. It is not clear whether or not they remained friends.
“The film, to the credit of director Tom Donahue, does not limit itself to Dougherty but expands to examine the profession of casting director, the history of casting and the varied opinions about casting held by all sorts of people in the industry. Donahue integrates the many issues and facets of the profession well. At the same time he is an expert storyteller.
“In the days of the studio system, casting was more of an organizing exercise, juggling roles to fit slots. Casting was according to type – an external approach. Marion Dougherty, in contrast, looked for inner being and emotional depth to match actors with roles. She changed the business by her ability to see what others couldn’t see. After she left Kraft (she never once was credited for her work) she began to cast films, the first of which was THE WORLD OF HENRY ORIENT. Other successes include MIDNIGHT COWBOY for which she did not get a casting credit and the producer has regretted that omission for over 40 years. Dougherty chose women as her assistants and many of them have gone on to major casting careers. Juliet Taylor, for example, has worked with Woody Allen for several decades; Ellen Lewis has a long history with Martin Scorsese.
“Dougherty moved to Hollywood and worked under Michael Eisner. The two did not see eye to eye. When Dougherty suggested Meryl Streep for a role, Eisner said, ‘No, someone like Suzanne Sommers.’ No surprise their relationship did not last. Dougherty moved on to Warner Brothers. After the 70’s casting decisions became less personal and more corporate, Dougherty’s career slowly waned. Famed Hollywood casting director Lynn Stalmaster, long thought to be Dougherty’s West Coast counterpart, is frequently quoted. He, too, was influenced by her immense talent.
“Casting is the only single card film credit that is not acknowledged by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for an Oscar category. People like Taylor Hackford, President of the Director’s Guild want to make sure that will never happen. He claims that casting falls under the purview of the film director. Others argue that so do film editing, production design, and cinematography, all of which are Oscar categories. In 1991 there was a huge movement to award Marion Dougherty a special Oscar. Dozens of luminaries wrote letters on her behalf but acknowledgement of her vast contribution was denied. Why? It should be noted that there are only nine women in the Director’s Guild and 95% of casting directors are women.
“CASTING BY is peppered with a huge number of directors and film stars. Tom Donahue (GUEST OF CINDY SHERMAN) has made an informative, entertaining film that is marvelously economical in its presentation of facts and events. 5 cats
“(CASTING BY screened at the 2013 Miami International Film Festival. It will be part of HBO’s Summer Documentary Series in 2013. It deserves a theatrical release.)”