Alan Metter dies of heart attack at 77, fans mourn loss of ‘Back to School’ director
Hollywood director Alan Metter, who was famous for helming comedies such as ‘Back to School’, ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’, ‘Moving’ among several other hit movies, died of heart attack in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on June 7. His son and assistant director Julian Max Metter confirmed the news to Hollywood Reporter.
Metter was born on December 19, 1942, in Sharon, Massachusetts. After graduating with a major in philosophy from the University of Arizona, Metter took up a copywriting job in the advertising firm Doyle Dane Bernbach, where he wrote for brands including American Airlines, Jack in the Box and Volkswagen. Before venturing into the entertainment world, Metter directed commercials for Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra, where he worked with prominent personalities, including Olivia Newton-John, Steve Martin and Don McLean.
He directed the one-hour NBC comedy special, ‘The Winds of Whoopie’, in 1983. In 1985, he helmed ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’, a romantic comedy dance film, which is a fan favorite to date. He later went to direct commercially successful films such as ‘Back to School’ starring Rodney Dangerfield, ‘Moving’ and ‘Cold Dog Soup’. Metter’s other notable works include ‘Working Tra$h’, ‘Police Academy: Mission to Moscow’, ‘Passport to Paris’ and ‘The Growing Pains Movie’.
He never missed an opportunity to express his love for movies. He once said, "The movies I love the most pick you up in the fade in and drop you off at the fade-out, and in between these two events you cross into the story and are totally absorbed by it. No bumps. That's the game. No bumps. Smooth editing with nothing to jar you from the story, giving the audience nothing to think about but the story,” states Hollywood Reporter.
Metter is survived by his wife Katherine O’Flynn Christian, son Julian, daughter-in-law Kelsey and grandchildren.
Many took to Twitter to mourn the great director’s loss upon hearing about his demise. While one fan wrote, “Oh no! Not only did I love both of these movies, but Alan Metter was also the director of some of my favorite Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen movies: Passport to Paris and Billboard Dad! RIP”
“I probably watched “Back to School” about 8349 times in its initial cable run. RIP director Alan Metter,” added another.