Barbara McLean was born on November 16, 1903, in Palisades Park, New Jersey. She was the daughter of film lab owner Charles Pollut, which exposed her to the world of filmmaking from a young age. Growing up, she developed a passion for both film and music, honing her skills in processing film and studying music.
McLean's journey into the film industry began when she started working for Los Angeles' First National Studio in the early years of her career. She quickly rose through the ranks and soon became an assistant at Twentieth Century Pictures, where she earned her first Academy Award nomination for her work on the 1935 adaptation of Les Miserables.
In the 1930s, '40s, and '50s, McLean made a name for herself as the chief film editor at 20th Century Fox. She collaborated closely with studio executive Darryl F. Zanuck throughout most of her career, working on numerous successful projects.
McLean's talent and dedication to her craft did not go unnoticed, as she received a total of seven Academy Award nominations for Best Film Editing during her career. She won the prestigious award in 1944 for her outstanding work on the Henry King-directed film Wilson.
McLean's personal life was equally as eventful as her professional career. She married cameraman J. Gordon McLean in the early 1920s, but the marriage ended in divorce in the 1940s. She later tied the knot with cinematic director Robert D. Webb in 1951, and their marriage lasted until Webb's passing in 1990.
Despite facing challenges in her personal life, McLean continued to thrive in her career, leaving a lasting legacy in the film industry. She collaborated with renowned directors such as Henry King and Joseph Mankiewicz, showcasing her versatility and skill as a film editor.
Barbara McLean's contributions to the film industry cannot be understated. Her mastery of the art of film editing helped shape many iconic films of the Golden Age of Hollywood. She paved the way for future generations of editors, inspiring them to push the boundaries of creativity and storytelling.
McLean's dedication to her craft and her unwavering passion for film continue to resonate with filmmakers around the world. Her work remains a testament to the power of storytelling and the impact that one individual can have on an entire industry.