The Chronicle was founded in 1981, and Marjorie Baumgarten was there from the beginning – answering phones, setting type, and eventually setting the standard for film criticism in our fair city. While her cinematic loves are far-ranging – from Max Ophüls and Agnès Varda to Nicholas Ray and Stephanie Rothman – she’s also poured her considerable passion into the Austin film community, championing generations of filmmakers and nurturing fellow film critics. One tough cookie, she hardly ever hands out five stars – but we think she deserves a whole solar system.
