Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton left this old world at 79 after a stellar career on the silver screen. She first attracted notice in the Godfather movies, as Kay Adams, later the bride of the new godfather Michael Corelone (Al Pacino). These classic gangster films were released in 1972, 1974 and 1990. Ms. Keaton was the not-so-young-in -Hollywood age of 28. The first two were revered by critics and audiences alike. The last one- not so much.

In the first Godfather flick Kay is the good girl trying to puzzle her way through the denizens of crime and to steer Michael away from the desires of his family that he become the Don. She doesn’t have much luck as Michael assumes the throne and does not hesitate to do whatever is necessary to maintain his post. Toward the end of this one, the gang assures Kay that the demise of a competitor was not the action of her husband, but she leaves unconvinced.

In the second Godfather, she reprises the role of Kay Coreleone. The film traces the early years of the main characters, most of whom grew up in Italy. Gang warfare is the main ingredient of the film, with Michael’s gang somehow surviving on top. Meanwhile Kay, very unhappy with her role in the family, suffers a miscarriage and an abortion. Michael slugs her, then banishes her.  In the final Godfather, Kay and Michael are divorced and the children, now grown, live with Kay. Their son becomes a noted opera singer. Michael and Kay tour Italy together and declare they still love each other. The main thing about Ms. Keaton’s appearances in these blockbuster movies is that it got her noticed by lots of producers and directors. 

I’m skipping ahead to the role that put Ms. Keaton on the movie map forever. Well, she didn’t just play Annie Hall (1977), she was Annie Hall. She won the Oscar for her performance as Woody Allen’s on and off girl friend. And her clothing became a thing for women of most any age for quite a while. That look is still referred to as the Annie Hall look. Allen won Oscar for Best Director and the film itself took the big award as Best Picture. As Alvy, Allen is already two past wives deep into things and his neuroses are funny only to the audience. The scene with Alvy vs. the enormous spider is a classic. The film ends with both principals moving on to greener pastures (for Annie anyway). Oh, BTW the screenplay also won the Oscar!

Diane Keaton became a regular in seven other Woody Allen outings, including Play It Again, Sam (1972) and Manhattan (1979),always cheerfully pulling her weight. In 1981, she was in another film that captured almost every award. Reds is the biopic about American journalist John Reed, who cataloged the Russian revolution. The film won Best Picture, Warren Beatty won Best Actor and Best director. This time Ms. Keaton swung and missed. Her performance as activist Louise Bryant was also nominated for Oscar. But she lost to another Hollywood icon, Katherine Hepburn, who won the Oscar for On Golden Pond.