Sometimes a title says everything it needs to, and the new documentaryHollywood Trailblazer: The Debra Hill Storyis one of them.Known for her prolific work as a screenwriter and producer, Debra Hill was a hugely influential figure in Hollywood from the 1970s through to her final movie just prior to her death in 2005. The new documentary was announced on what would have been Hill’s birthday, and will chart her celebrated career.
Directed by Jim McMorrow and Margaret McGoldrick, the tribute to the writer-producer, who often successfully collaborated with horror legend John Carpenter, will be executive produced by Jamie Lee Curtis. Of course, Curtis’ starred in two classic Carpenter movies,HalloweenandThe Fog, both of which were produced and co-written by Hill.
The documentary brings together many of those who worked with and were influence by Hill over the years, from Curtis and Carpenter to Terry Gilliam, Lynda Obst, Stacey Sher and the director of the latest Halloween reboot trilogy, David Gordon Green.
Check out the official synopsis of the documentary below:
“The story of Debra Hill is a multi-faceted one. She was, and still is, an inspiration to filmmakers across the globe, and her legacy as a formidable, creative producer, mentor, trailblazer, and pioneer in cinema and environmental activism is an eternally relevant story. It is a privilege to bring this to the screen for all of us that she shaped through her life and work,” said McMorrow.
In 1978, Hill served as a co-writer on the low-budget slasher movieHalloween,working alongside directorJohn Carpenter. According to an old interview withE online, Hill provided all the teen girl dialogue for Curtis and her female co-stars, while Carpenter concentrated on developing the menace of Michael Myers. Halloween was based in the town of Haddonfield, which was named after Hill’s hometown in New Jersey. Hill also had influence over the casting of Curtis in the lead role of Laurie Strode, becoming adamant that the young actress was right for the role.
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The smoothest and most fun experience John Carpenter ever had on a movie set was when he was filming the original Halloween.
Debra Hill’s Work Influenced in Many Ways.
The trio of Hill, Carpenter, and Curtis would work together again inThe FogandHalloween II,andHalloween III: Season of the Witch(Curtis has an uncredited cameo as an announcer and telephone operator). Hill’s other writing credit came withEscape from L.A.,the sequel to Carpenter’s sci-fi thriller,Escape from New York. Some of the other films that Hill served as a producer on wereThe Dead Zone,Clue,Adventures in Babysitting,The Fisher King, andWorld Trade Center.
Reacting to the response that the documentary has received, writer Margaret McGoldrick said:
“Jim and I have been blown away by the response to telling Debra’s story. Debra was an incredible filmmaker and storyteller who not only excelled at her job but did it with the love and respect of everyone around her. Her passion was infectious and when women weren’t getting the chance to lead the charge, Debra was paving paths. She’s an incredibly inspirational figure for anyone wanting to forge a career in the film industry and I’m very honored to be a part of the team getting to tell her story."
A release date forHollywood Trailblazer: The Debra Hill Storyhas not yet been revealed.
