ABSTRACT
In the 1971–1980 period, Woody Allen released eight films through United Artists. Under the guidance and with the support of the company’s chairman, Arthur Krim, Allen grew considerably as an artist. When it came to his films, Allen’s tenure at United Artists was characterized by a pattern of favoring art and autonomy over commerce. This included working with modest budgets, receiving little remuneration, refusing to publicise his films, snubbing awards ceremonies (including the Academy Awards) and establishing a love-hate relationship with critics. With the exception of Annie Hall (1977) and Manhattan (1979), Allen’s films never achieved significant box office success. However, for United Artists, Allen emerged as an emblematic filmmaker who arguably, more than any other filmmaker, defined the company in the 1970s. Not surprisingly, when Krim and the rest of the United Artists executive team left the company to start Orion Pictures, Allen followed suit. This chapter charts Allen’s career during the 1970s by examining the production history of all the films he made for United Artists, with a view to explore this ‘special’ relationship between a company and an artist.
