Pauline Kael
Born 1919 · Age 106
American film critic known for lively, highly opinionated reviews; principal film critic for The New Yorker (1968–1991) and influential voice in mid–20th-century American film criticism.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Petaluma, California
Pauline Bessie Kael born to Isaac Paul Kael and Judith Kael (née Friedman) on a chicken farm in Petaluma, CA.
Family lost farm; moved to San Francisco
Kael's parents lost their chicken farm when she was eight; family relocated to San Francisco where she attended school.
Matriculated at University of California, Berkeley
Kael enrolled at UC Berkeley, studying philosophy, literature, and art.
Left UC Berkeley (dropped out)
Kael dropped out of Berkeley in 1940 (intended law school originally).
Moved to New York City with poet Robert Horan
After leaving Berkeley, Kael lived for several years in New York City with poet Robert Horan and mixed with artists.
Returned to Berkeley and worked in experimental film and theatre
About three years after moving to New York, Kael returned to Berkeley, led a bohemian life writing plays and working on experimental films.
Daughter diagnosed with congenital heart defect
Gina James had a congenital heart defect; Kael initially could not afford corrective surgery.
Birth of daughter Gina James
Kael had a daughter, Gina James, from a relationship with filmmaker and poet James Broughton; Kael raised Gina alone.
Took menial jobs to support her daughter
Worked as a cook, seamstress, advertising copywriter and other odd jobs while pursuing writing.
Started broadcasting film reviews on KPFA (1950s)
Kael broadcast many early reviews on Berkeley's KPFA public radio, increasing her local profile.
First major published film review (Limelight) — City Lights
Peter D. Martin overheard Kael arguing about films and asked her to review Chaplin's Limelight; this launched her publication career.
Edward Landberg paid for Gina's heart surgery
As part of their relationship/settlement, Landberg agreed to pay for Kael's daughter's corrective heart surgery.
Made manager of the Berkeley Cinema-Guild and Studio
Landberg appointed Kael manager of the two-screen repertory cinema; she programmed films and wrote capsule reviews (position held until 1960).
Married Edward Landberg
Kael married Edward Landberg (owner of the Berkeley Cinema-Guild and Studio); marriage later ended in divorce but Landberg helped arrange surgery for Gina.
Divorce finalized from Edward Landberg
Final divorce decree granted, ending the marriage begun in 1955.
Hired by McCall's (major women's magazine)
Kael took a high-circulation assignment at McCall's concurrent with the success of I Lost It at the Movies.
Published first mainstream collection: I Lost It at the Movies
Collection of Kael's criticism was published and became a surprise bestseller, bringing her national fame.
Reviewed The Sound of Music for McCall's
Wrote a blistering review calling the film's message a 'sugarcoated lie'; this controversy is legendary for costing her the job (disputed).
Left/fired from McCall's; moved to The New Republic
After repeated negative reviews of popular films, Kael's relationship with McCall's ended; she worked at The New Republic 1966–1967.
Published landmark essay on Bonnie and Clyde in The New Yorker
William Shawn of The New Yorker published Kael's long, ecstatic essay on Bonnie and Clyde after The New Republic declined it; highly influential review.
Called 'one of the country's top movie critics' by Time
By 1968 Kael had become nationally prominent; Time magazine bestowed this recognition.
Joined The New Yorker staff as film critic
William Shawn hired Kael; she alternated six-month stints with Penelope Gilliatt until 1979, gaining a national forum for long, free-form criticism.
Received George Polk Award (Criticism)
Awarded a prestigious journalism prize for her work at The New Yorker.
Published 'Raising Kane' in The New Yorker (part I)
First installment of her long, controversial essay on authorship of Citizen Kane; later expanded into The Citizen Kane Book.
Published 'Raising Kane' in The New Yorker (part II)
Second installment; argued Herman J. Mankiewicz was primary author of Citizen Kane—sparked major controversy and dispute with Orson Welles.
Peter Bogdanovich rebuttal to 'Raising Kane' and allegations of uncredited research use
Bogdanovich published a rebuttal (The Kane Mutiny) that challenged Kael's claims and revealed she had used some research without credit.
Published Deeper into Movies
Fourth collection of essays released, showcasing extended criticism and essays on movie-going and film culture.
Won U.S. National Book Award (Arts and Letters) for Deeper into Movies
First nonfiction film book to win a National Book Award; cemented Kael's status as a major literary critic.
Published Reeling
Another collected volume of reviews and essays.
Received Women in Film Crystal Award
Honored for helping expand the role of women in the entertainment industry through excellence of work.
Took leave to work in film industry with Warren Beatty
Accepted an offer to work on film projects (production executive / consultant) at Beatty's instigation; later left after a few months because she missed writing.
Consultant at Paramount Pictures (briefly)
Worked as a consultant to Paramount on film projects; resigned after a short time and returned to criticism.
Published When the Lights Go Down
A large collection of Kael's film reviews and essays published in book form.
Returned to The New Yorker as sole film critic
After Penelope Gilliatt's departure and her own return from Hollywood, became the magazine's year-round film critic.
Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (early 1980s)
Kael began to experience symptoms of Parkinson's disease which later affected her work and energy.
Renata Adler's 8,000-word takedown of Kael ('The Perils of Pauline')
Adler published a lengthy, scathing critique of Kael's work in The New York Review of Books; the piece became infamous and controversial.
Published 5001 Nights at the Movies (first edition)
Collected capsule reviews; later revised in 1984 and 1991.
Published Taking It All In
Another collection of Kael's essays and reviews.
Published State of the Art
Collected writings continued to showcase Kael's work in the 1980s.
Character 'General Kael' named in George Lucas's film Willow
In a jab at Kael's criticism of Lucas's work, a villain was named 'General Kael' in Willow (1988).
Published Hooked
Another collection of Kael's essays and reviews during the late career period.
Published Movie Love
Collection of essays published close to her retirement year.
Announced retirement from regular film reviewing
Kael announced she would retire from regular reviewing for The New Yorker due to health and creative reasons; said she might still write occasional pieces.
Received Special Award — Los Angeles Film Critics Association
Honored with a special award recognizing Kael's contributions to film criticism.
Published For Keeps (compendium) — wrote introduction
A large compendium of Kael's writing; Kael wrote an introduction and said she'd effectively written her memoirs in prior pieces.
Writer Award — Gotham Independent Film Awards
Awarded by Gotham Independent Film Awards for her writing and influence.
Gave interview to Modern Maturity
Discussed regrets about not reviewing and spoke about the pleasure of seeing theater and movies.
Died in Great Barrington, Massachusetts
Pauline Kael died at age 82 from complications related to Parkinson's disease.
Documentary 'For the Love of Movies' discusses Kael's career
2009 documentary on film criticism included extensive discussion of Kael's influence by critics she inspired and those who opposed her.
Brian Kellow publishes biography 'A Life in the Dark'
Comprehensive biography of Kael's life and career published, renewing public interest in her work.
Posthumous induction into Online Film & Television Association Film Hall of Fame
Kael was posthumously honored by OFTA in the 'Behind the Scenes, Film Criticism' category.
Documentary 'What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael' released
Rob Garver's documentary (narration for Kael by Sarah Jessica Parker) profiles Kael's work and influence in film and criticism.
Ridley Scott cites Kael's critique of Blade Runner
Director Ridley Scott said Kael's harsh critique of Blade Runner (1982) caused him to stop reading reviews of his films; referenced in a 2024 interview.
Key Achievement Ages
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