William H. Reynolds

Who was William H. Reynolds?

William H. Reynolds was an American film editor whose career spanned six decades. His credits include such notable films as The Sound of Music, The Godfather, The Sting, and The Turning Point. He also was associated with two of the most infamous projects in film history, Ishtar and Heaven's Gate, which he executive produced.

Born in Elmira, New York, Reynolds began his career in 1934 as a member of the swing gang at 20th Century Fox. He became a protégé of film editor Robert Simpson, who brought him to Paramount Pictures as his assistant in 1936. The following year, he edited his first project, the musical film 52nd Street. In 1942, he joined 20th Century Fox, where he remained for twenty-eight years. It was there that he frequently collaborated with two notable directors. For Robert Wise, he edited The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Sound of Music, The Sand Pebbles, Star!, and Two People. His work for Joshua Logan included Bus Stop, South Pacific, Fanny, and Ensign Pulver.

Additional credits include Algiers, Come to the Stable, Beneath the 12-Mile Reef, Three Coins in the Fountain, Good Morning, Miss Dove, Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing, Carousel, Compulsion, Wild River, Taras Bulba, Hello, Dolly!, The Great White Hope, The Great Waldo Pepper, Nijinsky, Author! Author!, The Little Drummer Girl, Newsies, and the television adaptation of Gypsy.