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Woody Allen is turning 90 on November 30th.
He doesn’t want us to jinx him, so we won’t emphasize it.
He’s just published his first novel, “What’s With Baum,” which could be adapted into a movie instantly. He says, “The only problem is I’m too old to play the lead.”
My friend Neil Rosen — of PBS stations’ Talking Pictures — and I were welcomed to Woody’s East Side townhouse on October 16th. We talked about his life in depth, about all his movies, and his stand up comedy career. Woody is relaxed throughout the 90 minute interview as he reminisces and remarks about his many triumphs. Included in those are the 50 movies he’s made, winning the Oscar for “Annie Hall,” and the many actors he’s worked with.
For New Yorkers of a certain age, Woody Allen remains a giant part of our psyche. In the 70s, 80s, 90s and into the 2000s, people lined up around the block at theaters like the Beekman, Coronet, and Baronet to be the first to see his latest movie. “Annie Hall” is so deeply embedded in our minds, that Diane Keaton’s recent death seemed personal.
We talked about the great restaurant, Elaine’s, where he told us he met Simone de Beauvoir, the famous philosopher. Imagine if there had been cameras in the phones then! Or even phones! Woody says of the great eatery, “I was the least famous person there.”
Woody also talks about how he arrived at his famous opening title cards in black and white with the Windsor font. (Neil had the clever idea of using the same for our interview.)
I got Woody to tell the story of how he used to rehearse the clarinet as he toured the country for his early stand up comedy routines. He bought a new turntable in each town to play the records. And left them there for unsuspecting clean up crews!
We also talk about his dear friends Keaton and Tony Roberts, of course. And which of his solo performances he actually likes (not many). He’s also not a fan of “Mighty Aphrodite,” as it turns out, even though it was a box office hit and won Mira Sorvino an Oscar — one of many Oscars actors have won in his movies.
“Midnight in Paris” — better not live in an era without vaccines, air conditioning, or dry cleaning!
Happy Birthday, Woody! And thank you for this momentous visit.
PS In April 2024, I did a smaller interview with Woody that wasn’t on film. He allowed me to take a photo of him at his desk, sitting with the famous typewriter upon which he’s written everything — everything — since he was 16. He says there’s still store in Union Square that sells the ribbons!
