Peter Medak and Dory Previn: An Unusual Hollywood Collaboration 2026

Peter Medak's work with Dory Previn stands as one of the more unusual chapters in the late director's long career. The veteran director of The Krays and The Changeling, who died aged 88 on 28 October, had a first Hollywood phase that briefly burned bright after The Ruling Class and A Day in the Death of Joe Egg made him hot property. It was during this window that he teamed up with singer-songwriter Dory Previn, developing several projects that never quite caught fire.

Previn's semi-autobiographical screenplay, The Third Girl from the Left, became Medak's first US feature—a 1973 TV movie. Despite the pedigree on both sides, the project didn't ignite his Hollywood career, and he spent the rest of the 70s back in the UK. Yet Medak retained a great fondness for Dory, contributing half a century later to the glorious 2024 documentary Dory Previn: On My Way to Where.

Who Was Peter Medak?

Peter Medak was a Hungarian-born British director known for a diverse body of work that spanned horror, drama, and crime. He directed The Ruling Class (1972), starring Peter O'Toole, and A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (1972), both of which earned him critical acclaim and briefly made him a hot property in Hollywood. Later, he helmed The Changeling (1980) and The Krays (1990), cementing his reputation as a versatile filmmaker.

Medak's career was marked by restless experimentation and a willingness to take on unconventional projects. His collaboration with Dory Previn is a testament to that spirit—a pairing of a rising film director and a singer-songwriter with a distinct voice.

The Dory Previn Connection

Dory Previn was an American singer-songwriter and lyricist known for her intensely personal and often darkly humorous songs. She had been married to composer André Previn before their divorce, and she channeled her experiences into a series of acclaimed solo albums in the early 1970s. Her semi-autobiographical screenplay, The Third Girl from the Left, caught Medak's attention.

The two developed several projects together during Medak's short-lived first Hollywood phase. The Third Girl from the Left became his first US feature—a 1973 TV movie. While the film didn't achieve the breakout success that might have sustained Medak's Hollywood career, it remains a curious artifact of both artists' careers.

What Was The Third Girl from the Left?

The Third Girl from the Left was a 1973 made-for-TV movie based on Dory Previn's semi-autobiographical screenplay. It starred Kim Novak as a former Hollywood actress now working as a tour guide, and it explored themes of fame, identity, and disillusionment. The film was directed by Peter Medak and marked his first American feature project.

Despite the talent involved, the movie didn't make the splash that Medak might have hoped for. His Hollywood career failed to ignite at that point, and he returned to the UK for the remainder of the 1970s. But the experience left a lasting impression on him, and he remained fond of Dory Previn and their collaboration.

Why the Collaboration Matters

The Medak-Previn collaboration is significant for several reasons. It represents a meeting of two idiosyncratic talents—Medak, with his flair for the gothic and the theatrical, and Previn, with her raw, confessional songwriting. It also highlights the unpredictable nature of Hollywood careers, where a hot property can quickly cool.

Moreover, it underscores the enduring bond between artists. Half a century later, Medak contributed to Dory Previn: On My Way to Where, a 2024 documentary that celebrates Previn's life and work. His participation speaks to the respect and affection he held for her, long after their initial project failed to launch his American career.

• Peter Medak directed The Third Girl from the Left, based on Dory Previn's semi-autobiographical screenplay.
• The 1973 TV movie was Medak's first US feature but did not lead to sustained Hollywood success.
• Medak returned to the UK for the rest of the 1970s but remained fond of Previn.
• He contributed to the 2024 documentary Dory Previn: On My Way to Where.
• The collaboration reflects the unpredictable nature of Hollywood careers.

What to Watch Next

For those interested in exploring this unusual chapter, The Third Girl from the Left is worth seeking out for its curiosity value and its glimpse of both artists' sensibilities. The 2024 documentary Dory Previn: On My Way to Where offers a fuller picture of Previn's life and includes Medak's reflections.

Medak's other notable works, such as The Changeling and The Krays, provide context for his directorial style and show why he was once considered a hot property. Together, these works paint a portrait of a director who never stopped experimenting. The background to this story is set out in Celebrity: latest articles.