Daniel Mann

Mann was noted for coaxing bravura performances from actresses, three of whom won Oscars under his direction: Shirley Booth ("Come Back, Little Sheba"), Anna Magnani ("The Rose Tattoo") and Elizabeth Taylor ("Butterfield 8"). But he was also criticized for allowing his stars to indulge themselves in over-the-top performances and for his artless, almost functional style. In the 60s, Mann branched out into comedy with the Dean Martin vehicles "Who's Got the Action?" (1962) and "Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?" (1963), and the James Coburn espionage spoof "Our Man Flint" (1965). Mann's most notable work for TV was the Arthur Miller concentration camp drama "Playing For Time" (1980), which netted an Emmy for Vanessa Redgrave.