IT’S A HOLLYWOOD LIFE!

The story of longtime film critic Susan Granger, who has been in and around the movie industry for more than 80 years.

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Susan Granger’s father, a director and producer, was credited by Lucille Ball as having “inspired the crazy comedy that led to ‘I Love Lucy.’” He was also praised by Columbia Pictures mogul Harry Cohn as “the unsung hero of ‘From Here to Eternity,’” including having envisioned Frank Sinatra playing the role of Maggio.

Susan started acting in films herself at the age of 4 (in small roles) with Wallace Beery, her godfather Red Skelton, Abbott & Costello, and Margaret O’Brien among others.

That background proved to be a starting point for a long career off screen and, at the age of 85, Susan is still going strong as a film critic and lecturer.

And now the tables will, in a way, be turned as Susan Granger is the focus of “It’s A Hollywood Life!,” where she shares her stories of interactions with these stars and other iconic names, and how her experiences on Hollywood sets and viewing dailies with her father helped shape her understanding and approach as a film critic.

The interviewees in “It’s A Hollywood Life!” include Juvenile Oscar winner Margaret O’Brien, actors Keir Dullea and Mia Dillon, author and film historian David C. Tucker, critic Joe Meyers, and Gary Cooper’s daughter, artist Maria Cooper Janis.

  • Fred Cantor
    Producer
    The High School That Rocked!, America’s Lost Band
  • Laurie Valentina Gomez Acosta
    Director
  • Maya Weldon-Lagrimas
    Director
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    31 minutes
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Ridgefield Independent Film Festival
    Ridgefield, CT
    United States
    May 18, 2024
    Premiere
Director Biography - Laurie Valentina Gomez Acosta, Maya Weldon-Lagrimas

Director Laurie Valentina Gomez Acosta was awarded Yale’s Howard R. Lamar Prize in Film in 2022 and received a Special Jury Prize at the 2022 Yale in Hollywood Fest.

Director Maya Weldon-Lagrimas was awarded Yale’s Howard R. Lamar Prize in Film in 2024 and co-created the film that won Best Documentary at the 2023 Yale Student Film Festival.

More on L. Valentina Gomez Acosta: Valentina is an experienced communications and marketing professional with a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for design. They are currently employed at Yale Schwarzman Center as the 2022-24 Woodbridge Fellow.

Their journey thus far has led them to explore various avenues, from contributing to a successful local political campaign to producing an award-winning short film. The recognition garnered by their short film, Influence, celebrated at Yale for its exemplary filmmaking, solidified Valentina’s dedication to the art of visual storytelling.

Their fascination with American mass media has driven them to delve into numerous courses, enhancing their understanding of its influence on politics and society. This unique blend of technical expertise and insightful analysis propels Valentina towards their goal of becoming a documentary filmmaker. Their experiences have taught them that every story deserves to be heard, and they are excited to leverage their skills to shed light on the captivating narratives that shape our world.

A CT native, Valentina graduated from H. C. Wilcox Technical High School with a certificate in graphic design. They are an alum of Yale College ’22 with a BA in Film & Media Studies.

More on Maya Weldon-Lagrimas: Maya (she/her) is a filmmaker from Stockton, California. She produces narrative shorts, documentaries, and digital marketing materials.

She served as an editor for the Yale Daily News's video journalism desk for two years. She's also worked as a contractor for Hearst Media Group, and an assistant on Bright Leaf Pictures's feature documentary on Ban Ki-moon, and is a recipient of the Mark Gordon Summer Journalism Fellowship. In 2023 she co-directed the documentary short, Pareidolia (2023), which won the Best Documentary Award at the Yale Student Film Festival.

She graduated from Yale University in 2024—having earned a bachelor of arts degree in art with a concentration in filmmaking.

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