Editing Curtis Hanson (section)

=== 1970 to 1982: early writing and directing efforts ===
In 1970, Hanson is listed among the writers of [[Daniel Haller]]'s ''[[The Dunwich Horror (film)|The Dunwich Horror]]'', a film adaptation of [[H.P. Lovecraft]]'s [[The Dunwich Horror|short story]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/23476-THE-DUNWICH-HORROR?cxt=filmography |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

In 1973, Hanson wrote and directed his first feature, ''[[Sweet Kill]]'' starring [[Tab Hunter]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/54736-SWEET-KILL?cxt=filmography |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> The film came about when Hanson approached the executive producer [[Roger Corman]] about the possibility of writing and directing a film for him. Corman replied he might also be interested in a modern horror film along the lines of ''[[Psycho (1960 film)|Psycho]]'' (1960).<ref>Chris Nashawaty, ''Crab Monsters, Teenage Cavemen and Candy Stripe Nurses – Roger Corman: King of the B Movie'', Abrams, 2013 p 102</ref><ref name="guardian4">{{cite web |date=16 November 2002 |title=Curtis Hanson at the NFT |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/nov/16/features1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223181407/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/nov/16/features1 |archive-date=December 23, 2024 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>  Hanson wrote the script originally with the killer as a female. Corman liked it but felt it was "a little too different" for the killer to be female so asked she be turned male.<ref name="New World2">Christopher T Koetting, ''Mind Warp!: The Fantastic True Story of Roger Corman's New World Pictures'', Hemlock Books. 2009 p 36</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=January 21, 2001 |title=Seaman Quint Interviews CURTIS HANSON about, well all things Curtis Hanson + Tonight's GOLDEN |url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/7967 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223194840/https://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/7967 |archive-date=December 23, 2024 |website=Ain't it cool news}}</ref> According to Hanson, the film cost $130,000 and Corman was supposed to put up two-thirds of the money. After Corman decided to only put up a third, Hanson said "I went to my parents and persuaded them to put a mortgage on their home in order to finance this film."<ref name="guardian4"/> After creative interference from Corman, Hanson later described the experience as a "very unhappy" one.<ref name="New World2"/>

That same year, Hanson, with the pseudonym Edward Collins, shot a film called ''And God Bless Grandma and Grandpa''. Producer Peter S. Traynor wanted to shoot new scenes. Which he did with actor [[Dean Jagger]], in 1974, who played a character named "Dr. Shagetz." It was renamed ''God Bless Dr. Shagetz.'' In 1975, a litigation started between Traynor and the film's financial investors. It is rumored that with the name ''God Bless Dr. Shagetz,'' it had limited released in 1977. In 1983, a producer named [[Mardi Rustam]], bought the films rights and shot new footage. In 1985, Rusham's version was released as a direct to video title name ''[[Evil Town]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI{{!}}Catalog |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/55928 |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref>

In 1978, Hanson wrote and was an associate producer for [[Daryl Duke]]'s Canadian film ''[[The Silent Partner (1978 film)|The Silent Partner]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Silent Partner |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-silent-partner/cast/2000277865/ |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> The film came about when Hanson was being asked to direct b-level picture and decided to write something more ambitious. He said that "''The Silent Partner'' was a film I wrote on spec. I was hoping to direct it but I didn't get the opportunity. But I ended up finishing the movie. I was brought back by the producers to do a week of pick-up shots and all of the post-production.<ref name="guardian4"/> ''The Silent Partner'' did well in Canada both critically and financially, winning several [[Canadian Film Award|Canadian Film Academy Awards]] including Best Picture and Best Director.<ref>{{cite web |title=29th Canadian Film Awards |url=http://www.academy.ca/hist/history.cfm?shownum=29&winonly=0&awards=4&rtype=3&curstep=4&submit.x=61&submit.y=8 |accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref><ref name="Rist">Rist, 1995. pp.211</ref> The film was a [[Sleeper hit|sleeper]] upon its US release, with Brendon Hanley of the film database [[Allmovie]] noting that the film"...stands out as one of the best sleepers of the late '70s".<ref>{{cite web |author=Hanley, Brendon |title=The Silent Partner > Review |url=http://www.allrovi.com/movies/movie/the-silent-partner-v44699 |publisher=Allmovie}}</ref>

In 1980, Hanson directed ''[[The Little Dragons]]'' starring [[Chris Petersen (actor)|Chris]] and [[Patrick Petersen|Pat Petersen]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Variety international film guide 2002 |date=2001 |publisher=Faber |location=London UK |isbn=0571209629 |url=https://archive.org/details/varietyinternati0000unse_d1v7/page/22/mode/1up?q=%22the+little+dragons%22+Sothern |format=Internet Archive}}</ref>

In 1982, Hanson was among the screenwriters of [[Samuel Fuller]]'s [[White Dog (1982 film)|''White Dog'']]. The film depicts the struggle of a dog trainer named Keys, who is black, trying to retrain a stray dog trained to make vicious attacks upon, and to kill, any black person.<ref>{{Cite web |title=White Dog |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/white-dog/cast/2030115182/ |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref> ''White Dog'' was a 1970 novel,<ref name="Chicago Tribune2">{{cite journal |last=Kehr |first=Dave |date=November 29, 1991 |title=Fuller's fable 'White Dog' has its day at last |journal=[[Chicago Tribune]] |page=C |issn=1085-6706}}</ref> whose story was purchased for use by Paramount in 1975, with Hanson selected to write the screenplay and [[Roman Polanski]] hired to direct. Before shooting commenced, Polanski had [[Roman Polanski sexual abuse case|legal problems]], leaving the production in limbo.<ref name="Every Dog3">{{cite journal |last=Dombrowski |first=Lisa |date=Nov–Dec 2008 |title=Every Dog Has Its Day: The Muzzling of Samuel Fuller's White Dog |journal=[[Film Comment]] |volume=44 |issue=6 |pages=46–49}}</ref> Over a span of six years, the project was given to various writers and producers.<ref name="Every Dog3"/><ref name="Hoberman2">{{cite web |last=Hoberman |first=J |date=November 28, 2008 |title=White Dog: Sam Fuller Unmuzzled |url=http://www.criterion.com/current/posts/847 |access-date=January 26, 2009 |publisher=[[The Criterion Collection]]}}</ref> By 1981, Hanson, back on board as the film's screenwriter, suggested that [[Samuel Fuller]] be named the film's director as he felt Fuller was the only one available with the experience needed to complete the film on short notice, while still doing so responsibly with regard to the sensitive material.<ref name="Every Dog3"/><ref name="Hoberman2"/> The film was praised by critics, particularly for its treatment of racism and Fuller's directorial talents.<ref name="Chicago Tribune2"/><ref name="Entertainment Weekly2">{{cite magazine |last=Moran |first=Kim |date=December 12, 2008 |title=Movies on DVD: White Dog |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |issue=1025 |page=56 |issn=1049-0434}}</ref><ref name="Video Business">{{cite journal |last=Pearl |first=Cyril |date=November 10, 2008 |title=Tipsheet Reviews: White Dog |journal=Video Business |volume=28 |issue=45 |page=11}}</ref>