Marshall Brickman, who won an Oscar for writing “Annie Hall” alongside Woody Allen and also collaborated with him on “Sleeper,” “Manhattan” and “Manhattan Murder Mystery,” died Friday in Manhattan. He was 85.
His daughter Sophie confirmed his death to the New York Times.
Brickman co-wrote Broadway musicals “Jersey Boys” and “The Addams Family” and started out writing for “Candid Camera” and “The Tonight Show,” where he developed the famous Johnny Carson character, Carnac the Magnificent. He also worked on the pilot for “The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence,” which later became “The Muppet Show.”
Related Stories
Brickman and Allen’s script for “Annie Hall” became one of the most frequently quoted and well-remembered screenplays ever, winning numerous other awards in addition to the original screenplay Oscar. “‘Annie Hall’ contains more intellectual wit and cultural references than any other movie ever to win the Oscar for best picture,” wrote Roger Ebert in a 2002 appreciation.
Their script for “Manhattan” was also Oscar-nominated, and though the 42-year old Issac Davis’ relationship with a 17-year old girl has since been criticized, the dialogue is packed with pithy observations. “I’m old fashioned. I don’t believe in extra-marital relationships. I think people should mate for life – like pigeons or Catholics,” observes the Issac Davis character.
In another scene from “Manhattan,” the Davis character sums up what makes life worth living to him. “I would say… what, Groucho Marx, to name one thing… and Willie Mays… the second movement of the Jupiter Symphony… Louis Armstrong’s recording of ‘Potato Head Blues’… Swedish movies, naturally… ‘Sentimental Education’ by Flaubert… Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra… those incredible Apples and Pears by Cezanne… the crabs at Sam Wo’s… Tracy’s face.”
His first collaboration with Allen was on “Sleeper,” and Pauline Kael observed how the material had matured since Allen’s earlier films. “It’s charming — a very even work, with almost no thudding bad lines and with no low stretches. I can’t think of anything much the matter with it; it’s a small classic,” wrote Kael.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brickman was raised in Brooklyn and played in folk groups before starting his TV writing career. Brickman was a founder of the New Journeyman with John and Michelle Phillips, which became the Mamas & the Papas after Brickman left.
He tried his hand at directing with “Simon,” “Lovesick” and “The Manhattan Project,” also writing the screenplays for all three.
Among the other films he wrote were “For the Boys” and “Intersection.”
He was honored by the Writers Guild in 2006. In an interview with Variety that year, Brickman reflected on his career in entertainment, noting that he has few regrets. “If I had moved to Los Angeles I might have had a different career. I might have directed more movies,” he said. “But I’ve made choices based on who I don’t mind having lunch with, and for the most part it’s worked out.”
In addition to his daughter Sophie, Brickman is survived by his wife Nina, an editor and producer, daughter Jessica and five grandchildren.
