Peter Yates

 ( 1929 Births ) 

He attended Charterhouse School. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he worked for some years as an actor, director, and stage manager. He directed plays in London and New York. He also spent two years as racing manager for Stirling Moss and Peter Collins."Peter Yates: Oscar-nominated British director whose much copied car chase scene in Bullitt established him as a leading film-maker in Hollywood". The Times 12 January 2011, p.49.

Yates' first feature as director was Summer Holiday (1963), a "lightweight" vehicle for Cliff Richard. It was the second most popular movie at the British box office in 1963."Most Popular Films of 1963." Times London, 3 January 1964: 4. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 11 July 2012. Yates had seen the original Royal Court production of N.F. Simpson's play One Way Pendulum and got the job of making the film version released in 1964. It was produced by Michael Deeley. The movie was not widely seen.Michael Deeley, Blade Runners, Deer Hunters and Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: My Life in Cult Movies, Pegasus Books, 2009 p 27-29Engel Will 'Move' Burma to Thailand: Beatty Slips Self 'Mickey'; Richardson Sets Pendulum Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 11 March 1964: D15. During the mid 1960s, Yates directed episodes of television, notably The Saint and Danger Man.

Yates later said, "In Hollywood back then, everyone knew a British director couldn't do action, so I think the studio had another motive in letting me come over. I think the reason they let McQueen bring me in was because if they let him have his way, they'd get him out of the studio – and out of their hair – for a while."British-born director Peter Yates has enjoyed an... ] Portman, Jamie. CanWest News 22 March 1995: 1. Yates moved to New York. "A filmmaker must go where the stories are," he said.British Director to Film U.S. Dilemma Lesner, Sam. Los Angeles Times 9 February 1968: c14. Bullitt was a huge success. Yates signed a contract with the Mirisch Company to make four films over seven years.Peter Yates' Life Becomes a Super Thing: Peter Yates Leads the 'Super' Life Warga, Wayne. Los Angeles Times 26 July 1968: f1.

Yates followed Bullitt with a romantic comedy, John and Mary (1969) with Dustin Hoffman and Mia Farrow. "I like to change the kind of stories I do," said Yates. "If you're not careful, you get pigeonholed and sooner or later someone better will come along."Director Yates Cuts to the ChaseDana Kennedy of the Associated Press. St. Louis Post – Dispatch 26 April 1992: 12.C. In 1970, Yates said he would make Don Quixote with Richard Burton but the project stalled.Peter Waymark. "Burton as Quixote under 'Bullitt' director." Times London, 15 December 1970: 3. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 12 July 2012. Instead he did a war film with Peter O'Toole produced by Deeley, Murphy's War (1971). Yates did another heist film, The Hot Rock (1972), based on a novel by Donald Westlake starring Robert Redford from a William Goldman script. After this he was going to make The Leatherstocking Saga and Jonathan Schwartz's Almost Home but neither was made.Tell Them Polonsky Is Here Again By A. H. WEILER. New York Times 30 May 1971: D11.

In 1972 he signed a four picture deal with Paramount which was to start with Deadly Edge from a Westlake novel.Life With Father Hitler By A. H. WEILER. New York Times 21 May 1972: D15. Yates stayed with crime with The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973) starring Robert Mitchum. He then did two comedies: For Pete's Sake (1974) with Barbra Streisand, and Mother, Jugs & Speed (1976); he produced the latter along with writer Tom Mankiewicz. Yates had a big commercial success with the adventure film The Deep (1977), where Mankiewicz did some uncredited writing.

Yates used his clout from The Deep to raise financing for Breaking Away (1979). It was written by Steve Tesich; Yates had directed his play, The Passing Game, in New York. Yates produced and directed the film. Breaking Away was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Film for Yates. It led to a short-lived TV series that Yates also produced.A Hot Director Breaks Away From the Mainstream By SHAUN CONSIDINE. New York Times 15 July 1979: D17. Yates and Tesich were reunited on the thriller Eyewitness (1981) starring William Hurt. He tried fantasy with Krull (1983), but it was not a success at the box office.

Yates also produced and directed The Dresser (1983), an adaptation of the Ronald Harwood stage play. The film received seven BAFTA and five Oscar nominations, including the BAFTA Award for Best Film and for Best Direction and the Academy Award for Best Film and for Best Director for Yates. The Dresser was also entered into the 34th Berlin International Film Festival. Along with Eddie Coyle and Breaking Away, The Dresser was one of Yates' three favourite films. "I'm ambitious in my own way," said Yates around this time. "I don't crave power. I really wouldn't want to trade places with anyone, not even Steven Spielberg. Look at what power can do to a gifted director like Robert Altman. It isn't necessarily healthy. I just want to make the movies that I want to make and, if by chance a few of them should turn out to be important or influential or successful, well, that would be an accident, wouldn't it?"'THE DRESSER' – PETER YATES BALTAKE, JOE. Philadelphia Daily News; Philadelphia, Pa. Philadelphia,13 Jan 1984: 43.