Hi, Sally Menke (1953-2010)

“When it comes to the editing, I write with Sally”, says Quentin Tarantino, in an interview that precedes the Hi Sally gag reel (a compilation of footage put together from the outtakes) from 2007’s Death Proof. Actors and crew would turn to the camera to send a message to Sally in the editing room, to cheer her up. Sally Menke worked as an editor with Quentin on all his movies. This morning however, Sally Menke was found dead in a park in Los Angeles. While the circumstances of her untimely and tragic death are still unknown, what is known is that the world has lost a great artist, friend, colleague and family member. We are terribly saddened by this news, and extend our most sincere condolences to those close to her.

In 2009, she talked extensively about her working relationship with Quentin, in an interview that can be read here. Click here to head to the IMDB and marvel at the body of her work. We have embedded two of the above mentioned reels below, that were available on YouTube.

Hi, Sally!

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Sebastian

Sebastian is the founder and owner of the Tarantino Archives and has been a fan and observer of QT for over two decades now, cherishing his work and the window in the the wider world of cinema his movies have opened up. Inspired as such, he runs the Spaghetti Western Database (SWDb), the Grindhouse Cinema Database (GCDb), Furious Cinema, its German sister Nischenkino and The Robert Rodriguez Archives. He lives in Berlin.

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13 Responses

  1. Avisloan16 says:

    His films will never be the same, she was a true artist!

  2. Joshuagallegos says:

    Good write up, Seb.

    RIP Sally Menke.

  3. Anonymous says:

    I’ve always loved the editing in his movies. And the fact that it was a VERY talented female who did the work. She will be missed.

  4. Brent says:

    Sally’s work had such a transfixing, rhythmic, exhilarating quality to it. There are so many outstanding moments in Quentin’s movies that are what they are because of Sally. The chance meeting between Butch and Marcellus at the intersection in Pulp Fiction immediately comes to mind. She was phenomenal.

  5. Rodrigo Serrano says:

    We will miss her touch in Tarantino’s movies. My condolences to her family, friends and Quentin. I’m really shocked that the world lost a great artist as Sally, she will never be forgotten.

  6. Thanasis Tryfonas says:

    May God rest your soul Sally and sure we are all going to miss you.My condolences to her family and close ones.

  7. Michael O'Leary says:

    She will definitely be missed. When I rewatch QT’s films, which I do often, I will pay special attention to the editing.
    R.I.P.

  8. badmofo says:

    So sooooo sad! Just finding out about this now. :(

    I was actually watching Res Dogs (yet again) last weekend. Finally convinced my wife to watch it since having bought a copy when it first came to DVD here in Aus several years ago (she’s hesitant about watching certain types of movie violence). My wife loved it and we were actually talking about how awesome the scenes were cut together. So strange that we were talking about it then, and so sad now that I’ve heard the news.

    My condolences to all who knew her personally.

    She will be missed by film lovers around the world.

  9. Q Tarantino88 says:

    RIP Sally Menke.

    Don KHALeD

  10. Dudethecleaner says:

    I am in shock she was truly awesome. she will be missed and she is irreplaceable.