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Read the Los Angeles Times review of this retrospective.
This year marks the centennial of one of Hollywood's most legendary figures: Kirk Douglas, who as both an actor and a producer, has enlivened American and world cinema with a body of work unparalleled in its appeals to human dignity, and to the highest ideals of popular entertainment. Born the child of Russian Jewish immigrants in the humblest circumstances, he has come to represent a vital, indispensable presence within American public life since the dawn of his career in the post-World War II era. His shaded portrayals of embattled individuals, striving for survival and transcendence, have enriched public discourse about manhood, citizenship and the human spirit. Rather than representing a single type, and certainly not an impervious masculine type, his characters variously shine with enthusiasm and mirth or brood with disillusionment or suffering, foregrounding not only personality but also the enormity of life's implacable forces, imbuing his work with authenticity, and making him a relatable figure for generations of filmgoers. His moral stands have been widely noted, most importantly his opposition to the Hollywood blacklist, championing Dalton Trumbo as the credited writer of Spartacus (1960) and striking a decisive blow for free speech and thought. For these contributions, and many others, the Archive is greatly pleased to celebrate Kirk Douglas' centennial year, and his lasting cinematic legacy.
Special thanks: Cassie Blake—The Academy Film Archive; Lynanne Schweighofer—Library of Congress; Paul Ginsburg—NBC Universal Distribution; Andrea Kalas, Laura Thornburg—Paramount Pictures; David Jennings—Sony Pictures Entertainment; Kristie Nakamura—Warner Bros. Classics; Grace Eboigbe, Marcia Newberger.
