Bosley Crowther American film critic Date of Birth: 13.07.1905 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Career at The New York Times
3. From Broadway to Cinema
4. Rise to Prominence
5. Controversy and Retirement

Early Life and Education

Bosley Crowther was born in Lutherville, Maryland, and later moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he contributed to the local newspaper, The Evening Star. The family then settled in Washington, D.C., where Crowther graduated from Western High School in 1922.

After two years of preparatory school at Woodberry Forest School in Orange, Virginia, he matriculated at Princeton University, studying history. During his collegiate career, he served as editor of The Daily Princetonian. In 1928, he won a national essay contest sponsored by The New York Times, earning a $500 summer tour of Europe.

Career at The New York Times

Crowther declined an offer to become a reporter for The New York Times, opting to pursue opportunities at smaller newspapers in the South. However, the salaries offered were insufficient, and he eventually accepted a position as a reporter for The New York Times in 1933. In 1933, he married Florence Marks.

From Broadway to Cinema

For five years, Crowther reviewed Broadway productions for the Times. He became known for his authoritative and often polarizing reviews of films, shaping public opinion and determining the commercial success or failure of motion pictures.

Rise to Prominence

From the early 1940s to the late 1960s, Crowther reigned supreme over the Times' film section. His influence was such that his pronouncements could make or break a movie. He became an outspoken critic of Japanese cinema, denouncing "Throne of Blood" (1957) and calling "Godzilla" (1954) an "atrocity." Conversely, he praised Italian neorealists like Roberto Rossellini, Federico Fellini, and Vittorio De Sica, helping to popularize their work in the United States.

Controversy and Retirement

In the 1960s, Crowther's views were increasingly seen as outdated. His negative review of "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967) caused panic among producers, fearing it would discourage audiences. With the advent of New Hollywood, Crowther retired in 1968.