Description
David Butler (1894-1979) directed over a hundred theatrical and television films. In this oral history he reflects over his life and work, from the days of Inceville and D.W. Griffith to the era of filmed television Westerns and situation comedies. His first directional assignment was High School Hero (1927) for Fox studios. He then helped salvage Fox's finances with four of Shirley Temple's most engaging and profitable films starring Will Rogers in the 1930s, and a classic movie about horse racing, Kentucky (1938). After leaving Fox in 1938, Butler directed films for Warner Brothers and other studios with Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Doris Day, Errol Flynn, Rex Harrison, Alice Faye, Ronald Reagan, Patricia Neal, Kay Kyser, and a host of other musical and comedy stars. One of the best of his films is Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943), with an all-star cast and a lilting score, highlighted by Bette Davis singing and jitterbugging. When Butler switched from theatrical films to television, he directed such popular TV shows as Wagon Train, Buckskin, General Electric Theater, and Leave it to Beaver. Modestly describing himself as a "commercial director" who excelled at completing projects under tight schedules, Butler deserves a place in American film history for his contribution of well-crafted popular films featuring some of the legendary entertainers of the 30s, 40s, and 50s.
About the Author
The late Irene Kahn Atkins, daughter of famed lyricist Gus Kahn, was a music editor and conducted oral histories of craftsmen in music and sound for the American Film Institute and Yale University, as well as for the Directors Guild of America (her Henry Koster and Arthur Jacobson are part of this series).
Reviews
Although he will never be remembered as one of the greatest directors in film history....[he] was certainly one of its most interesting... * The Big Reel *
...it is a book of distinction. * Historical Journal of Film, Radio, & Television *
Book Information
ISBN 9780810827059
Author David Butler
Format Hardback
Page Count 337
Imprint Scarecrow Press
Publisher Scarecrow Press
Series Directors Guild of America Oral History
Weight(grams) 576g
Dimensions(mm) 225mm * 145mm * 24mm
About the Author
The late Irene Kahn Atkins, daughter of famed lyricist Gus Kahn, was a music editor and conducted oral histories of craftsmen in music and sound for the American Film Institute and Yale University, as well as for the Directors Guild of America (her Henry Koster and Arthur Jacobson are part of this series).
Reviews
Although he will never be remembered as one of the greatest directors in film history....[he] was certainly one of its most interesting... * The Big Reel *
...it is a book of distinction. * Historical Journal of Film, Radio, & Television *
Book Information
ISBN 9780810827059
Author David Butler
Format Hardback
Page Count 337
Imprint Scarecrow Press
Publisher Scarecrow Press
Series Directors Guild of America Oral History
Weight(grams) 576g
Dimensions(mm) 225mm * 145mm * 24mm
![Jazz Noir: Listening to Music from "Phantom Lady" to "The Last Seduction" David Butler 9780275973018](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-ngzg0zcz0u/images/stencil/444x444/products/380563/381620/9780275973018__01944.1694103405.jpg?c=1 "Jazz Noir: Listening to Music from "Phantom Lady" to "The Last Seduction" David Butler 9780275973018")
