Alexander Mackendrick

Mackendrick's ability to elicit outstanding performances from his actors, particularly children, is displayed in the wonderful study of the teaching of a deaf girl, "Mandy/Crash of Silence" (1952) and in the lesser but enjoyable adventure saga, "A High Wind in Jamaica" (1965). He also directed Tony Curtis in two of his best performances, as the opportunistic press agent in the scathing drama, "Sweet Smell of Success" (1957), Mackendrick's first Hollywood film, and in the Southern California comedy "Don't Make Waves" (1967). In 1969 Mackendrick was appointed Dean of the Film and Video Department at the California Institute of the Arts, an institution with which he remained affiliated for many years. Although his small output of nine features is unfortunate given his unusually high batting average, Mackendrick enjoyed a distinguished career in education, continuing his teaching work even after he gave up his term as dean.