Danford B. "Danny" Greene (June 26, 1928 – August 13, 2015) was an American film and television editor with about twenty five feature film credits. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Film Editing for MASH (1970-directed by Robert Altman) and, with John C. Howard, for Blazing Saddles (1974-directed by Mel Brooks).

Greene graduated from the University of Southern California in 1952. After assisting at Metro Goldwyn Mayer, he became the head of sound editing at Universal Studios, where he worked on Psycho (1960). In the 1960s Greene worked mostly as an editor for episodes of television series such as Thriller and Judd, for the Defense. He broke into feature films with That Cold Day in the Park (1969), which was directed by Robert Altman. The following year he edited MASH (1970) with Altman, which was an anti-war comedy that became a phenomenal success while the U.S. was still fighting the Vietnam War. The film was the third highest-grossing film in the U.S. in 1970, making more than $36 million in the U.S. on a budget of $3 million. Editing was an important aspect of the film's success. The film spawned a long-running television series, and in 1996 was listed on the National Film Registry.

Following MASH Greene worked regularly editing feature films through 1994, although he did not work with Robert Altman again. He directed one feature film The Secret Diary of Sigmund Freud (1984). Other films edited by Greene include Blazing Saddles (1974), Fun with Dick and Jane (1977), American Hot Wax (1978), and Rocky II (1979). Greene's last feature credit was for There Goes My Baby (1994), which was his fourth collaboration with director Floyd Mutrux. He then taught editing at the American Film Institute and the Los Angeles Film School. Short biography of Greene from the website of the short film To Beauty (2011). Interview with J. Terry Williams and Greene about their work on Psycho (1960).

Very early in his editing career, Greene was nominated for the American Cinema Editors Eddie award for a 1962 episode of the television series It's a Man's World. Greene's editing of MASH (1970) was widely recognized, and he was nominated for the Academy Award, the BAFTA Award and the Eddie award for the film. He was again nominated for the Academy Award for Blazing Saddles (1974).

Selected filmography + Editor Year Film Director Notes1956 Man in the VaultAndrew V. McLaglen1969 That Cold Day in the Park Robert AltmanFirst collaboration with Robert Altman 1970 M*A*S*HSecond collaboration with Robert Altman Myra BreckinridgeMichael Sarne1971 Clay Pigeon1972 Deadhead MilesVernon Zimmerman 1973 HexLeo Garen1974 Blazing SaddlesMel BrooksFirst collaboration with Mel Brooks 1975 Aloha, Bobby and RoseFloyd MutruxFirst collaboration with Floyd Mutrux The Master GunfighterTom Laughlin1976 The Killer Inside MeBurt Kennedy 1977 Fun with Dick and JaneTed Kotcheff Outlaw BluesRichard T. Heffron Which Way Is Up?Michael Schultz1979 VoicesRobert Markowitz1982 PartnersJames Burrows1985 Head OfficeKen Finkleman1987 Love at StakeJohn Moffitt 1988 18 Again!Paul FlahertyFirst collaboration with Paul Flaherty WildfireZalman King1989 Who's Harry Crumb?Paul FlahertySecond collaboration with Paul Flaherty1990 Vital SignsMarisa Silver1994 There Goes My BabyFloyd MutruxFourth collaboration with Floyd Mutrux

+ Editorial department Year Film Director Role Notes1972 Wild in the SkyWilliam T. NaudSupervising editor 1978 American Hot WaxFloyd MutruxSupervising film editorSecond collaboration with Floyd Mutrux Loose ShoesIra MillerEditorial supervisor1979 Rocky IISylvester StalloneSupervising film editor1980 The Hollywood KnightsFloyd MutruxSupervising editorThird collaboration with Floyd Mutrux 1981 History of the World, Part IMel BrooksAdditional editorSecond collaboration with Mel Brooks SurfacingClaude JutraEditorial consultant1986 Never Too Young to DieGil BettmanAdditional editor

+ Director Year Film1984 The Secret Diary of Sigmund Freud

Shorts

+ Editorial department Year Film Director Role2011 To BeautyJess Zakira WiseSupervising editor

+ Thanks Year Film Director Role2003 Frame of MindSimon Joecker Special thanks 2008 Started by a MouseMichael Gaddie IsmeriaKaren A. ThompsonVery special thanks 2010 Montana Special thanks These Four WallsCédric Chabloz 2011 FrontmanCaleb C. Werntz Family FirstIsaac Cherem2013 RelevéVishal Solanki

TV movies

+ Editor Year Film Director1964 Nightmare in ChicagoRobert Altman

TV series

+ Editor Year Title Notes1960 Shotgun Slade2 episodes1961−62 Thriller6 episodes1962 It's a Man's World8 episodes 1963−64 Alfred Hitchcock Presents2 episodes Kraft Suspense Theatre5 episodes 1964 McHale's Navy2 episodes Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre1 episode1964−65 Broadside29 episodes 1966 The Munsters 1 episode The Virginian1967 Mr. Terrific4 episodes1967−69 Judd, for the Defense13 episodes

+ Thanks Year Title Role Notes2011 Makin' It LASpecial thanks6 episodes

TV specials

+ Editor Year Film Director1966 A Bob Hope Comedy SpecialJack Shea

References

Further reading Tribute video by Mario J. Novoa compiled in 2015. Obituary Danford B. Greene

External links