Albert Magnoli graduated from the Film School at the University of Southern California. While there he completed ten student films, culminating with his Thesis Film project Jazz (1979), which he wrote, produced, edited, and directed. Focusing on the lives of three Los Angeles jazz musicians, "Jazz" went on to win 15 filmmaking awards in this country and abroad, including a Student Academy Award. The 23-minute film is listed in the 1983 edition of "The Encyclopedia Britannica" as "the most honored student film made in this country in the last twenty years."

After graduation, Magnoli was asked to edit the MGM film Reckless (1984), which was being directed by his former USC classmate, James Foley. While editing the film, rock star Prince and his manager, Robert Cavallo, came looking for a director to helm Prince's feature film debut. Foley passed on the project, but suggested Magnoli. Prince and Cavallo screened "Jazz" and offered the project to him. Magnoli went to Prince's hometown, Minneapolis, and sequestered himself in a hotel room for four weeks. There he researched and wrote the script for Purple Rain (1984).

As director, writer and editor, Magnoli delivered "Purple Rain" to the theaters eleven months later. The "Hollywood Reporter" described "Purple Rain" as "sensational and highly visual -- an accomplished and sophisticated example of storytelling." Released by Warner Bros. in 900 theaters, "Purple Rain" topped the box office in its first weekend, knocking Ghostbusters (1984) from the #1 position. To date, "Purple Rain" has grossed over $125 million worldwide.

Magnoli followed with the Lorimar-Columbia feature American Anthem (1986) and directed the critically acclaimed concert film Sign 'o' the Times (1987) for Prince. Magnoli was then commissioned to develop the sequel to "Purple Rain" for Warner Bros., which began a four-year association with Prince, culminating with Magnoli becoming Prince's manager and handling his personal and creative affairs for two years. The soundtrack album for Batman (1989) was created during this union, and two #1 videos, "Batdance" and "Partyman", were written and directed by Magnoli to promote the "Batman" film and soundtrack.

Mark Canton and Jon Peters then asked Magnoli to take over the directing reins from Andrei Konchalovsky on Tango & Cash (1989) starring Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell. The $65-million film was behind schedule and over budget, and Magnoli was asked to begin shooting immediately. Four days later he arrived on the set, shot for 40 days and delivered the picture to the studio in time for a Christmas release just two months later. "Tango & Cash" was a commercial success, grossing over $150 million worldwide. Magnoli then directed Born to Run (1993) for Fox Television, starring Richard Grieco. Filmed in just 24 days, the $3.4-million film was critically acclaimed.

Magnoli then completed Dark Planet (1997) a science-fiction film for producers John Eyres and Barnet Bain and the Sci-Fi cable channel. Starring Paul Mercurio, Harley Jane Kozak and Michael York, "Dark Planet" was shot in 8 days with a budget of $800,000.00. Magnoli then directed "Deliverance", an episode of Nash Bridges (1996) for CBS. He then wrote "Captain Blood," "World Without End," "The Taken," "Johnny Blackout" and "Primal Scream."

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Albert Magnoli

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