Good
fiction reveals feeling, refines events, locates importance and, though its
methods are as mysterious as they are varied, intensifies the experience of
living our own lives. – Vincent Canby
Born in
July of 1924, Vincent Canby had the distinction of being both
the chief film critic AND the chief theater critic for the New York Times – the only person to ever do so. As film critic from 1969-93 he reviewed more
than 1,000 films. 
He then turned his
critical eye to the theater where he did the theater reviews until his death in
2000.
He was such a respected writer and
reviewer that Bob Hope requested that Canby be the one to write his obituary,
but Canby died first. However, he still
received the byline on Hope’s story since he had crafted most of it prior to
his own death, and Times editors didn’t think it could be topped.
The career of Vincent Canby is
discussed in the film For the Love of
Movies: The Story of American Film
Criticism, a wonderful and insightful piece of writing and movie-making
that I highly recommend for all who love the silver screen and those who
comment upon it.
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