Adrienne Fazan (May 9, 1906 – August 23, 1986) was an American film editor who first started cutting films in 1933. She worked on many MGM films, including The Tell-Tale Heart (1941), Anchors Aweigh (1945), Singin' in the Rain (1952), and Kismet (1955).
Biography Fazan was born in Germany, to John Fazan and Magdalena Fremdling. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1923, and by 1930 was living in Los Angeles and working as a film editor at a studio.
Career Adrienne Fazan started cutting and editing in films in 1933 and then she went to work at MGM, who were known for hiring the most qualified and talented people.
Fazan worked with Dorothy Arzner (known for her work on many popular films like The Wild Party) on many of her films where she helped Fazan move from working on short films, to editing popular feature films. Fazan also collaborated with Vincente Minnelli on eleven films, including the Oscar winning film, Gigi.
Fazan was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Film Editing for An American in Paris (1951), and received the award for Gigi (1958). Both of these films were directed by Vincente Minnelli. She retired in 1970 after editing The Cheyenne Social Club.
Personal life Fazan was likely gay. According to actress Debbie Reynolds, "There was one woman at MGM Studios who was an editor called Adrienne, and she wore men's tailored suits and a skirt. She taught me how to cut and edit film. This was a very talented, very educated woman and she lived with another lady. Now that's going back to 1949 and the '50s and the '60s, when gay women were not out."DiStefano, Blase (August 1998). "Reynolds Rap," OutSmart magazine.
Films edited + Editor Year Film Director Notes 1931 Wir schalten um auf HollywoodFrank Reicher Parlor, Bedroom and BathEdward Sedgwick1933 Day of ReckoningCharles Brabin1934 The Merry WidowErnst Lubitsch 1937 The Bride Wore RedDorothy Arzner You're Only Young OnceGeorge B. Seitz1941 Where Did You Get That Girl?Arthur Lubin1944 Barbary Coast GentRoy Del Ruth 1945 Between Two WomenWillis GoldbeckFirst collaboration with Willis Goldbeck Anchors AweighGeorge SidneyFirst collaboration with George Sidney She Went to the RacesWillis GoldbeckSecond collaboration with Willis Goldbeck 1946 Holiday in MexicoGeorge SidneySecond collaboration with George Sidney The Secret HeartRobert Z. LeonardFirst collaboration with Robert Z. Leonard 1948 Three Daring DaughtersFred M. Wilcox The Kissing BanditLászló Benedek1949 In the Good Old Summertime Robert Z. LeonardSecond collaboration with Robert Z. Leonard 1950 Nancy Goes to RioThird collaboration with Robert Z. Leonard Duchess of IdahoFourth collaboration with Robert Z. Leonard Pagan Love SongRobert Alton 1951 An American in ParisVincente MinnelliFirst collaboration with Vincente Minnelli Texas CarnivalCharles WaltersFirst collaboration with Charles Walters 1952 Singin' in the Rain Everything I Have Is YoursRobert Z. LeonardFifth collaboration with Robert Z. Leonard 1953 I Love MelvinDon WeisFirst collaboration with Don Weis Give a Girl a Break Stanley DonenSecond collaboration with Stanley Donen1954 Deep in My HeartThird collaboration with Stanley Donen 1955 It's Always Fair Weather KismetVincente MinnelliSecond collaboration with Vincente Minnelli 1956 Invitation to the DanceGene KellyThird collaboration with Gene Kelly Lust for Life Vincente MinnelliThird collaboration with Vincente Minnelli 1957 Designing WomanFourth collaboration with Vincente Minnelli Don't Go Near the WaterCharles WaltersSecond collaboration with Charles Walters 1958 Gigi Vincente MinnelliFifth collaboration with Vincente Minnelli The Reluctant DebutanteSixth collaboration with Vincente Minnelli Some Came RunningSeventh collaboration with Vincente Minnelli 1959 The Big CircusJoseph M. Newman The GazeboGeorge Marshall1960 Bells Are Ringing Vincente MinnelliEighth collaboration with Vincente Minnelli 1962 The Four Horsemen of the ApocalypseNinth collaboration with Vincente Minnelli Two Weeks in Another TownTenth collaboration with Vincente Minnelli 1963 The Courtship of Eddie's FatherEleventh collaboration with Vincente Minnelli The PrizeMark Robson 1964 Looking for LoveDon WeisSecond collaboration with Don Weis 36 HoursGeorge Seaton1965 BillieDon WeisThird collaboration with Don Weis1966 This Property Is CondemnedSydney Pollack1967 Who's Minding the Mint?Howard MorrisFirst collaboration with Howard Morris 1968 Where Angels Go, Trouble FollowsJames Neilson With Six You Get EggrollHoward MorrisSecond collaboration with Howard Morris1969 The ComicCarl Reiner1970 The Cheyenne Social ClubGene KellyFourth collaboration with Gene Kelly
Short documentaries
+ Editor Year Film Director1939 Prophet Without HonorFelix E. Feist1940 Utopia of Death1941 Triumph Without DrumsJoseph M. Newman1942 Mr. Blabbermouth!Basil Wrangell1943 Portrait of a GeniusSammy Lee
Shorts
+ Editor Year Film Director1936 Little Boy BlueEdwin Lawrence 1939 How to EatRoy Rowland The Day of Rest Basil Wrangell See Your Doctor Miracle at LourdesHenry K. Dunn 1940 Know Your MoneyJoseph M. Newman A Door Will OpenGeorge Sidney The Big Premiere Edward L. Cahn All About Hash Women in HidingJoseph M. Newman A Failure at FiftyWill Jason Buyer BewareJoseph M. Newman Goin' Fishin'Edward L. Cahn 1941 Respect the LawJoseph M. Newman More About NostradamusDavid Miller More Trifles of ImportanceBasil Wrangell Coffins on WheelsJoseph M. Newman Of Pups and PuzzlesGeorge Sidney The Tell-Tale HeartJules Dassin Strange TestamentSammy Lee 1942 The Lady, or the Tiger?Fred Zinnemann Further Prophecies of NostradamusDavid Miller 1943 Brief IntervalSammy Lee Inca GoldWill Jason InflationCy Endfield Journey to YesterdayHarold Daniels Ode to VictoryEdward L. Cahn My Tomato Will Jason No News Is Good News 1944 Somewhere, U.S.A. A Great Day's ComingRobert Elwyn
See also List of film director and editor collaborations
References
External links