Michael Schlesinger, Repertory Executive and Classic Film Enthusiast, Dies at 74

Michael Schlesinger, a highly respected figure in the movie industry, passed away on January 9th. At the time of his passing, he was 74 years old. He had worked at United Artists Classics, Paramount, and Sony Repertory throughout his career.

I sadly lost my life at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, receiving treatment for an uncommon type of cancer.

Schlesinger made a name for himself by playing a crucial role in restoring and distributing iconic films throughout several decades. During his tenure as vice president at Sony Repertory, he supervised the restoration of the 70mm version of “Lawrence of Arabia.” In his time at Paramount Pictures Distribution, he was involved with the release commemorating the 50th anniversary of “Citizen Kane,” a project that included Orson Welles’ unfinished work, “It’s All True.

Michael Schlesinger, a respected author, film historian, and friend, was remembered by Joseph McBride as an authentic and compassionate individual. He was cherished by all cinephiles as their devoted companion. His fervor for preserving and disseminating timeless films was unparalleled. Despite the occasional indifference from major studios towards his work, he was instrumental in encouraging Hollywood to recognize and respect its heritage more.

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Joseph McBride, an author and film historian who knew Schlesinger, paid tribute by saying that “Mike was a genuine person. Every movie enthusiast considered Mike Schlesinger as their friend. He had an immense passion for preserving and disseminating classic films. He often took risks in defending film history while working for studios that didn’t always appreciate his efforts, but he played a crucial role in shaping Hollywood’s appreciation for its legacy.

In his role as an advocate for global films, Schlesinger also penned and orchestrated a U.S. remake of “Godzilla 2000,” subtly altering some lines to inject a touch of humor.

During an interview with Scott Michael Bosco in 2001, Schlesinger shared that while reworking certain dialogue for the film, he thought adding some deliberately humorous elements and maintaining a more lighthearted tone for the human aspects might make it seem less absurd when the monsters appeared. To some degree, I believe I achieved this goal.

Over time, I’ve had the privilege of contributing my insights to DVD commentaries for a variety of timeless films. Among these classics are “Baby Face,” “In The Heat of The Night,” “One, Two, Three,” “Monkey Business,” and my all-time favorite, “It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” More recently, I provided commentary for the 2019 revival of “Shaft” and a chilling 2023 release titled “A Haunting in Venice.

Apart from producing numerous films, he has directed several of his own creations, such as “The Adventures of Biffle and Shooster,” “Bride of Finklestein,” and “Schmo Boat.” His latest retro film, titled “Rock and Doris (Try to) Write a Movie” featuring Marilu Henner, had its world premiere at the Palm Springs International Comedy Festival in 2024.

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2025-01-15 00:17