Alexander Hall
Encyclopedia
Alexander Hall was an American theatre actor and film director.
Hall acted in the theatre
from the age of four through 1914, when he began to work in silent movie
s. Following his military service in World War I
, he returned to Hollywood and pursued a career in film production. He worked as a film editor and assistant director
at Paramount Pictures
until 1932, when he directed his first feature film
, Sinners in the Sun. From 1937 to 1947, he was a contract director at Columbia Pictures
, where he earned a reputation for sophisticated comedies. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director for Here Comes Mr. Jordan
(1941).
Hall was married to actress Lola Lane
from 1934 to 1936. He was engaged briefly to Lucille Ball
, who left him when she met Desi Arnaz
. The couple later hired him to direct their 1956 film Forever, Darling
.
Hall died of complications from a stroke in San Francisco.
Hall acted in the theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
from the age of four through 1914, when he began to work in silent movie
Silent Movie
Silent Movie is a 1976 satirical comedy film co-written, directed by, and starring Mel Brooks, and released by 20th Century Fox on June 17, 1976...
s. Following his military service in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, he returned to Hollywood and pursued a career in film production. He worked as a film editor and assistant director
Assistant director
The role of an Assistant director include tracking daily progress against the filming production schedule, arranging logistics, preparing daily call sheets, checking cast and crew, maintaining order on the set. They also have to take care of health and safety of the crew...
at Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
until 1932, when he directed his first feature film
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
, Sinners in the Sun. From 1937 to 1947, he was a contract director at Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
, where he earned a reputation for sophisticated comedies. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director for Here Comes Mr. Jordan
Here Comes Mr. Jordan
Here Comes Mr. Jordan is a comedy film in which a boxer, mistakenly taken to Heaven before his time, is given a second chance back on Earth. It stars Robert Montgomery, Claude Rains and Evelyn Keyes. The movie was adapted by Sidney Buchman and Seton I. Miller from the play Heaven Can Wait by Harry...
(1941).
Hall was married to actress Lola Lane
Lane Sisters
The Lane Sisters refers to a group of sisters, three of whom achieved success in the 1920s and 1930s as a singing act, with their popularity onstage leading to a series of successful films. A fourth sister was not successful and left this milieu and a fifth avoided show business altogether...
from 1934 to 1936. He was engaged briefly to Lucille Ball
Lucille Ball
Lucille Désirée Ball was an American comedian, film, television, stage and radio actress, model, film and television executive, and star of the sitcoms I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy and Life With Lucy...
, who left him when she met Desi Arnaz
Desi Arnaz
Desi Arnaz was a Cuban-born American musician, actor and television producer. While he gained international renown for leading a Latin music band, the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, he is probably best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo on the American TV series I Love Lucy, starring with Lucille Ball, to...
. The couple later hired him to direct their 1956 film Forever, Darling
Forever, Darling
Forever, Darling is a 1956 American romantic comedy film with fantasy overtones, starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, and James Mason, and directed by Alexander Hall...
.
Hall died of complications from a stroke in San Francisco.
Partial filmography
- A Game of Craft (1922)
- Sinners in the SunSinners in the SunSinners in the Sun is a 1932 movie starring Carole Lombard and Chester Morris, and directed by Alexander Hall. The film is notable for featuring the second screen appearance of Cary Grant.-Cast:*Carole Lombard ... Doris Blake...
(1932) - Madame RacketeerMadame RacketeerMadame Racketeer is a 1932 film featuring Alison Skipworth, Richard Bennett, and George Raft. The movie was directed by Harry Wagstaff Gribble and Alexander Hall.-Cast:* Alison Skipworth as Countess/Martha Hicks* Richard Bennett as Elmer Hicks...
(1932) - The Girl in 419 (1933)
- Midnight ClubMidnight ClubMidnight Club is a series of racing video games developed by Rockstar San Diego and published by Rockstar Games. The games are similar to the Midtown Madness series previously developed by Angel Studios, focusing on competitive street racing in open world urban environments. Midnight Club however,...
(1933) - Torch SingerTorch SingerTorch Singer is a 1933 film made by Paramount Pictures, directed by Alexander Hall and George Somnes, and starring Claudette Colbert, Ricardo Cortez and David Manners and Lyda Roberti.The screenplay was written by Lenore J...
(1933) - Little Miss MarkerLittle Miss MarkerLittle Miss Marker is a 1934 American drama film directed by Alexander Hall. The screenplay was written by William R. Lipman, Sam Hellman, and Gladys Hellman after a short story by Damon Runyon. The film stars Shirley Temple, Adolphe Menjou, and Dorothy Dell in a story about a little girl held...
(1934) - The Lady's from KentuckyThe Lady's from KentuckyThe Lady's from Kentucky is a 1939 film starring George Raft and Ellen Drew. The movie was written by Malcolm Stuart Boylan from a story by Rowland Brown, and was directed by Alexander Hall. The screenplay involves a failing bookie who becomes half owner of a racehorse, with a Kentucky lady ...
(1939) - Here Comes Mr. JordanHere Comes Mr. JordanHere Comes Mr. Jordan is a comedy film in which a boxer, mistakenly taken to Heaven before his time, is given a second chance back on Earth. It stars Robert Montgomery, Claude Rains and Evelyn Keyes. The movie was adapted by Sidney Buchman and Seton I. Miller from the play Heaven Can Wait by Harry...
(1941) - My Sister EileenMy Sister Eileen (1942 film)My Sister Eileen is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Alexander Hall. The screenplay by Joseph A. Fields and Jerome Chodorov is based on their 1940 play of the same title, which was inspired by a series of autobiographical short stories by Ruth McKenney originally published in The New...
(1942) - They All Kissed the BrideThey All Kissed the BrideThey All Kissed the Bride is a Columbia Pictures feature film starring Joan Crawford, Melvyn Douglas, Roland Young, and Billie Burke in a story about a trucking firm executive who falls in love. The screenplay by P. J. Wolfson was based on a story by Gina Kaus and Andrew P. Solt. The film was...
(1942) - The Great LoverThe Great Lover (1949 film)The Great Lover is a 1949 comedy film starring Bob Hope, Rhonda Fleming, and Roland Young. A scout leader takes his troop on an ocean cruise, pursues a beautiful duchess and is stalked by a murderer.-Cast:*Bob Hope as Freddie Hunter...
(1949) - LouisaLouisa (film)Louisa is a 1950 comedy film directed by Alexander Hall and starring Ronald Reagan and Spring Byington in the title role. This film was Piper Larie's film debut. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Sound Louisa is a 1950 comedy film directed by Alexander Hall and starring Ronald Reagan...
(1950) - Because You're MineBecause You're MineThis article is about the 1952 musical comedy film. For other uses see Because You're Mine .Because You're Mine is a 1952 musical comedy film starring Mario Lanza. Directed by Alexander Hall, the film also stars Doretta Morrow, James Whitmore, and Dean Miller.-Plot:Opera singer superstar Renato...
(1952) - Let's Do It Again (1953)
- Forever, DarlingForever, DarlingForever, Darling is a 1956 American romantic comedy film with fantasy overtones, starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, and James Mason, and directed by Alexander Hall...
(1956)