Woody Allen - 1935...

People of a certain age who love movies have grown up on a diet of Woody Allen films. I signed up some years back in 1977 when Annie Hall came out, and I thought is was fabulous. So Having Allen is your life is like an uncle who at times you both love, and also feel embarrassed about for their eccentric behaviour. A close friend committed to the Allen cause, recently bought a box set of his work containing some 20 films. A movie that I thought captured all the allure and romance of New York was his next film Manhattan released in 1979. Shot in black and white its so atmospheric and redolent of the city he loves - it has a cinema verite quality. Over the years he has kept a devoted ensemble of actors, producers and cameraman - not least Diane Keaton. All this was presented in a splendid two part programme starting last night on BBC1 Imagine - Woody Allen: A Documentary directed by Robert B Weide. In it he manages to capture some very good interviews with many that have worked with Allen over they years, including his sister eight years younger than Woody. Tonight we have part two - which I'm very much looking forward to. He concluded this chapter by saying "despite all these lucky breaks, I still feel that got screwed some how". A sad conclusion to in my opinion a great film director.