10 Famous Script Doctors Who Helped Write The Films We Love

5. Elaine May

elaine may

Elaine May's fall from grace is a cautionary example of how bad press can ruin the career of talented filmmakers. May helmed the infamous flop Ishtar (1987), an unfairly-maligned comedy whose reputation has increased in the decades since its release. The toxic pre-release buzz, which highlighted the troubled nature of the over-budget production, encouraged a critical pillorying when Ishtar finally hit theatres. Ishtar's failure killed May's directorial career outright and it wasn't until her work on the screenplay to 1996's hit comedy The Birdcage that May finally won her way back into Hollywood's good graces. This is unfortunate because the very-talented May could have accomplished so much more if given the chance. May not only produced an Academy Award-nominated screenplay with 1978's Heaven Can Wait, she also made uncredited contributions to the screenplays for Reds, Tootsie, and the beloved 80s cult film Labyrinth.
Contributor
Contributor

I'm YA writer who loves pulp and art house films. I admire films that try to do something interesting.