Harry L. Fraser
Encyclopedia
Harry L. Fraser was an American film director
. He directed over 80 films between 1925
and 1951
, including the 1934
John Wayne
film Randy Rides Alone
and the Frank Buck
cliffhanger serial Jungle Menace
(1937). He had a small acting role in the John Wayne film 'Neath the Arizona Skies
. He also wrote screenplays, including Chick Carter, Detective
(1946).
In his autobiography, Fraser described filming the scene in Jungle Menace
during which a boa constrictor attacks the heroine Dorothy (Charlotte Henry
). The villain has tied Dorothy hand and foot and she thrashes about wildly, terrified when she suddenly sees the huge snake:
"The snake was in no hurry. Slowly he slithered across the girl's body, while she screamed and struggled. He turned, looking for a spot to slip under her to make his first wrap. I motioned to the reptile crew to get ready, and a split-second later gave them the signal to move in. But now, the maddened snake fought them and did its best to coil around one of the men. Before that happened, however, I had cut, and we had a good cliff-hanger with our terror-stricken heroine to close the episode."
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
. He directed over 80 films between 1925
1925 in film
-Events:*November 5: The Big Parade holds its Grand Premier*December 30: premier of Ben-Hur the most expensive silent film ever made costing 4-6 million dollars -Top grossing films :...
and 1951
1951 in film
The year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
, including the 1934
1934 in film
-Events:*January 26 - Samuel Goldwyn purchases the film rights to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from the L. Frank Baum estate for $40,000.*February 19 - Bob Hope marries Dolores Reade...
John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
film Randy Rides Alone
Randy Rides Alone
Randy Rides Alone is a Western movie made in 1934. The film is in black-and-white and is 53 minutes long. The film was directed by Harry Fraser.-Plot:...
and the Frank Buck
Frank Buck (animal collector)
Frank Howard Buck was a hunter and "collector of wild animals," as well as a movie actor, director, writer and producer...
cliffhanger serial Jungle Menace
Jungle Menace
-External links:* * * **...
(1937). He had a small acting role in the John Wayne film 'Neath the Arizona Skies
'Neath the Arizona Skies
'Neath the Arizona Skies is a 1934 western film directed by Harry L. Fraser and starring John Wayne. Wayne's character attempts to locate a little girl's father, so that she may claim a $50,000 Indian oil claim...
. He also wrote screenplays, including Chick Carter, Detective
Chick Carter, Detective
Chick Carter, Detective is a 1946 Columbia film serial. Columbia could not afford the rights to produce a Nick Carter serial so they made Chick Carter, Detective about his son instead. This was based on the radio series Chick Carter, Boy Detective...
(1946).
In his autobiography, Fraser described filming the scene in Jungle Menace
Jungle Menace
-External links:* * * **...
during which a boa constrictor attacks the heroine Dorothy (Charlotte Henry
Charlotte Henry
Charlotte Henry was an American actress who is best remembered for her roles in Alice in Wonderland and Babes in Toyland . She also starred in the Frank Buck serial Jungle Menace.-Early years:...
). The villain has tied Dorothy hand and foot and she thrashes about wildly, terrified when she suddenly sees the huge snake:
"The snake was in no hurry. Slowly he slithered across the girl's body, while she screamed and struggled. He turned, looking for a spot to slip under her to make his first wrap. I motioned to the reptile crew to get ready, and a split-second later gave them the signal to move in. But now, the maddened snake fought them and did its best to coil around one of the men. Before that happened, however, I had cut, and we had a good cliff-hanger with our terror-stricken heroine to close the episode."
Selected filmography
- Chained for LifeChained for LifeChained for Life is a 1951 exploitation film featuring the famous conjoined Hilton Twins, Daisy and Violet. It features several vaudeville acts, including juggler Whitey Roberts, a man doing bicycle stunts, and a man who plays the William Tell Overture at breakneck speed on an accordion.The movie...
(19511951 in filmThe year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
) - I Accuse My ParentsI Accuse My ParentsI Accuse My Parents is an American exploitation film dealing with juvenile delinquency. Produced by PRC, the film was used to teach morals, specifically that parents should take an interest in their children's lives, as well as the consequences of child neglect...
(19441944 in filmThe year 1944 in film involved some significant events, including the wholesome, award-winning Going My Way plus popular murder mysteries such as Double Indemnity, Gaslight and Laura.-Events:*July 20 - Since You Went Away is released....
) - Captain AmericaCaptain America (serial)Captain America is a Republic black-and-white serial film based on the comic book character Captain America. It was the last Republic serial made about a superhero...
(1944) - BatmanBatman (serial)Batman is a 15-chapter serial, released in 1943 by Columbia Pictures. The serial starred Lewis Wilson as Batman and Douglas Croft as Robin. J. Carrol Naish played the villain, an original character named Dr. Daka. Rounding out the cast were Shirley Patterson as Linda Page , and William Austin as...
(19431943 in filmThe year 1943 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 3 - 1st missing persons telecast * February 20 - American film studio executives agree to allow the Office of War Information to censor films....
) - The Spider ReturnsThe Spider ReturnsThe Spider Returns is a Columbia movie serial based on the pulp magazine character The Spider. It was the fourteenth of the 57 serials released by Columbia and a sequel to its 1938 serial The Spider's Web. The first episode runs 32 minutes; the rest are about 17 minutes each.-Plot:Amateur...
(19411941 in filmThe year 1941 in film involved some significant events.-Events:Citizen Kane, consistently rated as one of the greatest films of all time, was released in 1941.-Top grossing films :-Academy Awards:...
) - Jungle MenaceJungle Menace-External links:* * * **...
(19371937 in filmThe year 1937 in film involved some significant events, including the Walt Disney production of the first full-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.- Events :*April 16 - Way Out West premieres in the US....
) - Heroes of the AlamoHeroes of the AlamoHeroes of the Alamo is a low-budget retelling of the events of the Texas Revolution and the Battle of the Alamo. It was produced by Anthony J. Xydias and reuses the battle scenes of his 1926 silent film Davy Crockett at the Fall of the Alamo...
(19371937 in filmThe year 1937 in film involved some significant events, including the Walt Disney production of the first full-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.- Events :*April 16 - Way Out West premieres in the US....
) - 'Neath the Arizona Skies'Neath the Arizona Skies'Neath the Arizona Skies is a 1934 western film directed by Harry L. Fraser and starring John Wayne. Wayne's character attempts to locate a little girl's father, so that she may claim a $50,000 Indian oil claim...
(19341934 in film-Events:*January 26 - Samuel Goldwyn purchases the film rights to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from the L. Frank Baum estate for $40,000.*February 19 - Bob Hope marries Dolores Reade...
) - Randy Rides AloneRandy Rides AloneRandy Rides Alone is a Western movie made in 1934. The film is in black-and-white and is 53 minutes long. The film was directed by Harry Fraser.-Plot:...
(1934) - The Wolf DogThe Wolf DogThe Wolf Dog is a Mascot film serial. It was directed by Colbert Clark and Harry L. Fraser and starred Frankie Darro and Rin Tin Tin, Jr.. The plot concerns the heir to a fortune and a villain attempting to take the inheritance for himself.-Plot:...
(19331933 in film-Events:* March 2 - King Kong premieres in New York City.* June 6 - The first drive-in theater opens, in Camden, New Jersey.* British Film Institute founded....
) - The Lone DefenderThe Lone DefenderThe Lone Defender is a 1930 American Mascot movie serial starring Rin Tin Tin. This was Mascot's first all sound serial . This was Rin Tin Tin's first serial at Mascot, after being dropped by Warner Bros. when they decided animal pictures would not work with "Talkies"...
(19301930 in film-Events:* November 1: The Big Trail featuring a young John Wayne in his first starring role is released in both 35mm, and a very early form of 70mm film and was the first large scale big-budget film of the sound era costing over $2 million. The film was praised for its aesthetic quality and realism...
) - Soft CushionsSoft CushionsSoft Cushions is a 1927 comedy film directed by Edward F. Cline and featuring Boris Karloff.-Cast:* Douglas MacLean - The Young Thief* Sue Carol - The Girl* Richard Carle - The Slave Dealer* Russ Powell - The Fat Thief...
(19271927 in film-Events:*January 10 - Fritz Lang's science-fiction fantasy Metropolis premieres in Germany.*April 7 - Abel Gance's Napoleon often considered his best known and greatest masterpiece, premiers at the Paris Opéra and would demonstrate techniques and equipment that would not be used for years to...
) - The Mystery of the Double CrossThe Mystery of the Double CrossThe Mystery of the Double Cross is a 1917 film and one of the few American silent action film serials to survive in complete form. It was directed by Louis J...
(19171917 in filmThe year 1917 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Foundation of Universum Film AG , as a propaganda film company, in Berlin.*Technicolor System 1, a two-color process, is introduced...
) - The Iron ClawThe Iron Claw (1916 serial)The Iron Claw is a 1916 silent adventure film serial starring Pearl White, directed by George B. Seitz and Edward José, and released by Pathé Exchange. A print of the seventh episode exists in the UCLA Film and Television Archive.-Cast:...
(1916)