Oscar-winner Mann named 1999 Distinguished Alumnus

by Ann Marie Deer Owens

File photo

Mann

Delbert M. Mann, who has achieved a long and illustrious career in major motion pictures, television and theatre, will receive the Vanderbilt Alumni Association's 1999 Distinguished Alumnus Award on April 28. The Oscar-winning director, who earned his B.A. in 1941, has been a member of the Board of Trust since 1962. He will be honored during a Board of Trust luncheon at Branscomb Quadrangle.

The impressive list of Hollywood stars that Mann has directed over the years includes George C. Scott, Sir Laurence Olivier, Rita Hayworth, Walter Matthau, Lauren Bacall, Humphrey Bogart, Angela Lansbury, David Niven, Lee Remick and Grace Kelly.

Mann won the Academy Award in 1956 as best director for his debut feature film, Marty, which starred Ernest Borgnine. He also directed a television version with Rod Steiger. In addition, he made the television drama All Quiet on the Western Front, which he has called his best film. It earned him the prestigious Golden Globe award for best director. Other classics he directed include The Dark at the Top of the Stairs and David Copperfield.

"Mr. Mann has elevated both the medium in which he works as well as the lives of his colleagues and audiences around the world," said Beverly Bond, vice chancellor for alumni and development. "The Alumni Association is proud of the time and resources he has given and is pleased to recognize him as a visionary who seeks the best in others and gives only the best of himself."

Mann was born in Lawrence, Kan., in 1920, but at age 11 his family moved to Nashville when his father accepted a teaching position at Scarritt College. Mann attended Hume-Fogg High School where he headed the school's drama club before enrolling at Vanderbilt in 1937.

In a recent article by Jon Krampner in Vanderbilt Magazine, Mann spoke highly of his liberal arts education at Vanderbilt. "I have grave problems with young people who go to college and immediately select a major of filmmaking when they are freshmen and concentrate on that, almost to the exclusion of the ranging-across-the-board education that I had," he said.

Mann majored in political science with minors in sociology and economics. He also was elected president of the student council and served as co-managing editor of the Hustler with his future wife, Ann Caroline Gillespie, whom he met at Vanderbilt. Perhaps the activity that had the most influence on his career was his work with producer Fred Coe at the Nashville Community Playhouse on Belcourt Avenue.

Mann piloted B-24 bombers during World War II and received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for his military service. Afterwards, he enrolled at the Yale School of Drama, where he earned a master of fine arts degree. He also stayed in contact with Coe, who recommended him to NBC for a stage manager's job in 1949. Mann later became a director for the Philco/Goodyear Playhouse 90, Producers Showcase and several other live programs that Coe produced.

Mann has remained in close contact with his alma mater, establishing and raising funds for the Fred Coe Artist-in-Residence-in-Theatre program. He is an avid history buff and returned to campus in 1993 to direct the one-man play "The Memoirs of Abraham Lincoln" at Sarratt Cinema. He also donated his papers to the Jean and Alexander Heard Library, which has published a catalogue of them. Mann chaired the Buildings and Grounds Committee of the Board of Trust from 1976 to 1985 and has served on its Student Affairs Committee since 1977. He and Ann served as Southern California co-chairmen of the University's $55 million campaign in the late '60s.

Mann considers his greatest accomplishment to be his 57-year marriage to Ann Gillespie. They have four children: David, a lawyer; Fred, a journalist; Susie, who was killed in an auto accident; and Steven, an investment banker.

Possible future projects for Mann include a feature film about an elderly man and woman who meet on a bus tour and become romantically involved. The tentative plans call for Ernest Borgnine and Jean Simmons to play the lead roles.

Mann is the fourth recipient of the Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumnus Award, which was established in 1996. Previous recipients are Muhammad Yunus, who received his doctorate in economics; Dr. Norman E. Shumway, a graduate of the Medical School; and Cal Turner Jr., who earned his B.A. at Vanderbilt.

Mann's autobiography, Looking Back ... at Live Television and Other Matters, was published in 1998 by the Directors Guild of America.

Photos courtsey of University Publications

Top: Delbert Mann on the set of April Morning, 1987
Above: Sophia Loren, Delbert Mann, Anthony Perkins, and Burl Ives, Desire Under the Elms, 1957
Left: Tony Curtis and Delbert Mann, The Outsider, 1960