By John H. Foote
After more than 100 of their office workers walked off the job protesting their company’s announcement of their intent to publish Woody Allen’s autobiography, today the company announced they have terminated their relationship with Allen. Despite the obvious chance the book will become a best seller, the company backed down in what is being seen in the industry as a cowardly move.
Though there are several biographies on Allen, this marks his first autobiography, and it is believed he will address the allegations of abuse his daughter and ex-partner Mia Farrow have insisted are real.
Allen has submitted to, and passed, four polygraph tests, and many psychologists claim there was no wrongdoing from Allen. These allegations have hounded the Academy Award winning director for nearly 30 years, dividing actors in Hollywood either for or against him.
Ronan Farrow, son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his reporting of the Harvey Weinstein scandal in “Catch and Kill”, was reportedly unhappy with the book publisher for daring to publish his father’s book. It is believed wielding his new-found power, he killed the deal.
I have always believed Allen is innocent, and when he finds a publisher will order the book at once.
John H. Foote is a well-recognized Canadian film critic/historian who has been an active critic for 30 years. His deep love for the movies began at a very young age. He began his career as co-host of the popular TV show Reel to Real where he remained for nine years. While on TV he began dabbling in education, eventually ascending to Director of the Toronto Film School, where he also taught film history. After leaving the college to care for his wife, he returned to teaching at Humber College where he taught both Film History and Method Acting Theory. John has written two books: “Clint Eastwood – Evolution of a Filmmaker” and the upcoming “Spielberg – American Film Visionary”. He is currently working on two books, one about the films of the seventies and another on the films of Martin Scorsese. Through his career he has worked in TV, radio, print and the web. John has interviewed everyone in the industry (more than 300 interviews) except Jack Nicholson, he says sadly. Highlights include Martin Scorsese, Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep Robert Duvall, Jane Fonda, Francis Ford Coppola and Kathryn Bigelow.
