Julian Blaustein

Biography

Julian Blaustein (May 30, 1913 – June 20, 1995) was an American film producer, screenwriter, and Hollywood executive known for producing several important films of the 1950s and 1960s. He was behind acclaimed movies such as The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), Broken Arrow (1950), Désirée (1954), Bell Book and Candle (1958), and Khartoum (1966).

Early Life

Julian Blaustein was born on May 30, 1913, in New York City. He graduated from Harvard University in 1933 and later entered the film industry by joining Universal Pictures as a script reader. He eventually became head of the studio's story department and later worked at Paramount Pictures.

Early Career

During World War II, Blaustein served with the U.S. Army Signal Corps, where he produced training films. After the war, he joined David O. Selznick Productions as an editorial supervisor before moving to 20th Century Fox in 1949, where he became a producer and executive producer.

Producing Career

Blaustein became one of Hollywood's notable producers, known for supporting films with strong themes and ambitious storytelling. His major productions include:

• Broken Arrow (1950)
• Mister 880 (1950)
• The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
• Don't Bother to Knock (1952)
• Désirée (1954)
• Storm Center (1956)
• Cowboy (1958)
• Bell Book and Candle (1958)
• The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1962)
• Khartoum (1966) 

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

One of Blaustein's most famous productions was the science-fiction classic The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). Directed by Robert Wise, the film became celebrated for its anti-war message and remains one of the most influential science-fiction films in cinema history.

Désirée (1954)

Blaustein produced Désirée (1954), directed by Henry Koster and starring Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons. The historical drama explored the romance between Napoleon Bonaparte and Désirée Clary, whose love was ultimately separated by Napoleon's ambitions.

Later Career

After leaving studio filmmaking, Blaustein became involved in education. He taught screenwriting and film production at Stanford University and helped train future generations of filmmakers. He also remained active with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Motion Picture & Television Fund.

Personal Life

Blaustein was married to Florence Blaustein and had two children. He remained respected among filmmakers for his creative vision and commitment to meaningful cinema.

Death

Julian Blaustein died on June 20, 1995, in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 82, after battling cancer.