You've just bought your ticket to the 8:30 show. You are in your seat, and the coming attractions are over. Now, it's time for the feature, and this book is it. The author is uniquely qualified to tell you this story because he has personally lived the entire plot, and known every one of the characters.
From James Bond to the Beatles, from Saturday Night Fever to Grease, from Daniel Day-Lewis to Dustin Hoffman, from Steve Martin to Cheech and Chong. As President of United Artists, Paramount and Columbia, producer of The Jerk, Lenny and The Crucible, he's seen it all, loved it all (well, most of it), and now he's sharing it all. When the show is over you will have learned about the deals, the hits, the flops, the good guys, the bad guys, and all the rest. Welcome to the show.
Advance Praise for MUSTS, MAYBES, AND NEVERS
"This is a close up look at what made a great film studio great, by a man who was a truly vital part of that story." - Woody Allen
"A forthright compendium of some of the most important films and film people of the late 20th Century. David Picker is as compelling a memoirist as he is producer." - Steve Martin
"Without David Picker there would be no James Bond, no Beatles' A Hard Day's Night, no Midnight Cowboy, no Lenny, no Ordinary People, or dozens of other iconic films. David Picker loves movies, and the movie business itself, and his life along the celluloid trail is not to be missed." - Tom Rothman
"David Picker is the Answer. The Question: Why did Billy Wilder, Federico Fellini, Ingmar Bergman, John Schlesinger, Bernardo Bertolucci, among others of the greatest directors of the 60's and 70's, choose to work for United Artists? Picker's focus group was his gut; his handshake was his word; and his investment in talent gave them free reign. I'd advise you to go for it." - Norman Lear
"It was a very exciting time to be working with United Artists and David's team - we did OK!" - Paul McCartney
About the Author: David V. Picker is a third generation motion picture executive, as well as an Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe nominated producer. He has been President of three major film studios - United Artists, Paramount, and Columbia - and responsible for such iconic films as TOM JONES, the JAMES BOND series, The Beatles' A HARD DAY'S NIGHT and HELP!, MIDNIGHT COWBOY, LAST TANGO IN PARIS, LENNY, THE CRUCIBLE, THE JERK, and many others. Among the many European filmmakers he brought to United Artists were Federico Fellini, Ingmar Bergman, Francois Truffaut, Louis Malle and Sergio Leone. Mr. Picker is a member of the board of The Producers Guild of America and is Chairman Emeritus of the Producers Guild of America East. He has also served on many boards and committees, including The American Film Institute, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Board of Overseers of The Hopkins Center of the Performing Arts and The Hood Museum of Dartmouth College.
