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David Seltzer

David Seltzer (born February 12, 1940) is an American screenwriter, producer and director, perhaps best known for writing the screenplays for The Omen (1976)[1] and Bird on a Wire (1990). As writer-director, Seltzer's credits include the 1986 teen tragi-comedy Lucas starring Corey Haim, Charlie Sheen and Winona Ryder,[2] the 1988 comedy Punchline starring Sally Field and Tom Hanks, and 1992's Shining Through starring Melanie Griffith and Michael Douglas.

David Seltzer
Seltzer during the 2007 Writers Guild of America strike
Born (1940-02-12) February 12, 1940 (age 84)
Highland Park, Illinois, U.S.
Occupations
  • Screenwriter
  • producer
  • director
Years active1966-present

Early life

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David Seltzer was born to a Jewish family in Highland Park, Illinois in 1940.[3]

Career

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He was uncredited for his contributions to the 1971 musical film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. The author of the original book, Roald Dahl, is credited as sole screenwriter; however it has been revealed that Seltzer rewrote 30 percent of Dahl's script, adding such elements as the "Slugworth subplot", music other than the original Oompa Loompa compositions (including Pure Imagination and The Candy Man), and the ending dialogue for the film.[4]

Seltzer's writing credits include the screenplays for The Omen, Prophecy, Six Weeks, My Giant, Dragonfly and Bird on a Wire, starring Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn. He wrote and directed Lucas (1986), Punchline (1988), Shining Through (1992), and Nobody's Baby (2001).

Seltzer was reported to be writing an "Untitled Earthquake Project" for Hollywood director and producer J. J. Abrams, the plot of which is closely guarded, though it has been confirmed that the film is not a remake of 1974's disaster film Earthquake.[5] Seltzer is also reportedly working on a UK remake of Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train, from the novel by Patricia Highsmith.[6]

Filmography

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Film

Year Title Director Writer Producer
1971 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory No Uncredited No
The Hellstrom Chronicle No Yes No
1972 One Is a Lonely Number No Yes No
1975 The Other Side of the Mountain No Yes No
1976 The Omen No Yes No
1979 Prophecy No Yes No
1982 Six Weeks No Yes No
1983 Table for Five No Yes No
1986 Lucas Yes Yes No
1988 Punchline Yes Yes No
1990 Bird on a Wire No Yes No
1992 Shining Through Yes Yes Yes
1997 The Eighteenth Angel No Yes No
1998 My Giant No Yes No
2001 Nobody's Baby Yes Yes No
2002 Dragonfly No Yes No
2006 The Omen No Credit only No

TV movies

Year Title Writer Producer
1974 Larry Yes No
1977 Green Eyes Yes Yes
1985 Private Sessions Yes No
2011 Cinema Verite Yes No

References

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  1. ^ The New York Times: "The Omen (1976) - The Screen: 'Omen' Is Nobody's Baby" by RICHARD EDER June 26, 1976
  2. ^ Goodman, Walter (March 28, 1986). "FILM: 'LUCAS,' TEEN-AGE ROMANCE". The New York Times.
  3. ^ Erens, Patricia (August 1988). The Jew in American Cinema. Indiana University Press. p. 392. ISBN 978-0-253-20493-6.
  4. ^ Pure Imagination: The Story of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". Two Dog Productions Inc. 2001.
  5. ^ Kit, Borys (December 8, 2008). "J. J. Abrams in for Earthquake Film". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
  6. ^ Knowles, Harry (February 20, 2002). "Remake of Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train". Ain't It Cool News. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
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