Anne Bauchens

Anne Bauchens (1882-1967) was an American film editor with a prolific career spanning over four decades, primarily associated with Paramount Pictures. She is recognized as the first woman to receive an Academy Award for Best Film Editing, which she won for her work on Cecil B. DeMille's North West Mounted Police (1940).

Bauchens began her career in the silent film era, initially working as a cutter and assistant editor. She quickly ascended the ranks, becoming a full-fledged editor and collaborating frequently with DeMille on his epic productions. Her contributions were crucial in shaping the narrative pace and visual storytelling of films such as The Ten Commandments (1923 & 1956), The King of Kings (1927), Cleopatra (1934), Union Pacific (1939), Reap the Wild Wind (1942), The Greatest Show on Earth (1952), and many others.

Bauchens's long-standing partnership with DeMille made her a vital component of his filmmaking team. She was known for her precision, technical expertise, and ability to manage the large-scale editing challenges presented by DeMille's elaborate productions. Her work helped establish many conventions of narrative film editing, particularly in the context of large-budget, visually spectacular films.

Her extensive filmography includes over 40 feature films, cementing her legacy as a pioneer and influential figure in the field of film editing. She retired from filmmaking in the late 1960s.