"Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me. Aren't you?" These famous
lines from The Graduate (1967) would forever link Anne Bancroft
(1931-2005) to the groundbreaking film and confirm her status as a movie
icon. Along with her portrayal of Annie Sullivan in the stage and film
drama The Miracle Worker, this role was a highlight of a career that
spanned a half-century and brought Bancroft an Oscar, two Tonys, and two
Emmy awards.
In the first biography to cover the entire scope of Bancroft's life and
career, Douglass K. Daniel brings together interviews with dozens of her
friends and colleagues, never-before-published family photos, and
material from film and theater archives to present a portrait of an
artist who raised the standards of acting for all those who followed.
Daniel reveals how, from a young age, Bancroft was committed to
challenging herself and strengthening her craft. Her talent (and good
timing) led to a breakthrough role in Two for the Seesaw, which made
her a Broadway star overnight. The role of Helen Keller's devoted
teacher in the stage version of The Miracle Worker would follow, and
Bancroft also starred in the movie adaption of the play, which earned
her an Academy Award. She went on to appear in dozens of film, theater,
and television productions, including several movies directed or
produced by her husband, Mel Brooks.
Anne Bancroft: A Life offers new insights into the life and career of
a determined actress who left an indelible mark on the film industry
while remaining true to her art.
