George Lessey
Encyclopedia
George Lessey was an American actor and director
of the silent era
. He appeared in 123 films between 1910
and 1946
. He also directed 76 films between 1913
and 1922
. Lessey also appeared in the original Broadway production of Porgy and Bess
(1935) in one of the few white
roles, that of the lawyer Mr. Archdale.
He was born in Amherst, Massachusetts
and died in Westbrook, Connecticut
.
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:...
of the silent era
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
. He appeared in 123 films between 1910
1910 in film
The year 1910 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*The newsreel footage of the funeral of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom is shot in Kinemacolor, making it the first color newsreel....
and 1946
1946 in film
The year 1946 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*November 21 - William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives premieres in New York featuring an ensemble cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell.*December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a...
. He also directed 76 films between 1913
1913 in film
The year 1913 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* The Squaw Man, the first Hollywood feature film, is made.* December 29, Charlie Chaplin signs a contract with Mack Sennett to begin making films at Keystone Studios.* D. W...
and 1922
1922 in film
-Events:* June 11 - United States première of Robert J. Flaherty's Nanook of the North, the first commercially successful feature length documentary film....
. Lessey also appeared in the original Broadway production of Porgy and Bess
Porgy and Bess
Porgy and Bess is an opera, first performed in 1935, with music by George Gershwin, libretto by DuBose Heyward, and lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward. It was based on DuBose Heyward's novel Porgy and subsequent play of the same title, which he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward...
(1935) in one of the few white
Caucasian race
The term Caucasian race has been used to denote the general physical type of some or all of the populations of Europe, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, Western Asia , Central Asia and South Asia...
roles, that of the lawyer Mr. Archdale.
He was born in Amherst, Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts
Amherst is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States in the Connecticut River valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 37,819, making it the largest community in Hampshire County . The town is home to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts...
and died in Westbrook, Connecticut
Westbrook, Connecticut
Westbrook is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 6,292 at the 2000 census. The town center is also classified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place .-Geography:...
.
Selected filmography
- The Twelfth JurorThe Twelfth JurorThe Twelfth Juror is a 1913 drama film. It features an early appearance of Harold Lloyd in an uncredited role.-Cast:* Ben F. Wilson - Harry Baker* Laura Sawyer - Alice Charlton* Jack Conway - Clarence Morton* R. Henry Grey - Jeff Robey...
(19131913 in filmThe year 1913 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* The Squaw Man, the first Hollywood feature film, is made.* December 29, Charlie Chaplin signs a contract with Mack Sennett to begin making films at Keystone Studios.* D. W...
) - GraftGraft (1915 serial)Graft is a 1915 film serial featuring Harry Carey. This serial is considered to be lost.-Cast:* Harry Carey - Tom Larnigan . Carey took over lead from Hobart Henley from the fourth chapter.* Hobart Henley - Bruce Larnigan...
(19151915 in filmThe year 1915 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 8 : D.W Griffith's The Birth of a Nation premieres at Clune's Auditorium Los Angeles and breaks box office and film length records, running at a total length of 3 hrs 10 minutes.* June 18 : The Motion Picture Directors...
) - The $1,000,000 RewardThe $1,000,000 RewardThe $1,000,000 Reward was a 1920 drama film serial, directed by George Lessey, and produced by Harry Grossman. The film is considered to be lost.-Cast:* Coit Albertson* Buck Connors* Louise Hotaling* George Lessey* Joe Smith Marba...
(19201920 in filmThe year 1920 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 27 - The Mark of Zorro, starring Douglas Fairbanks opens.-Top grossing films :-Films released in 1920:U.S.A. unless stated*The $1,000,000 Reward...
) - The Silent CommandThe Silent CommandThe Silent Command is a 1923 drama film directed by J. Gordon Edwards, and featuring Béla Lugosi as a foreign saboteur.The Silent Command is a story of the United States Navy, revolving around experiences of a naval captain, warships, merchantmen, sea storms, a spectacular wreck, and an enemy...
(19231923 in film-Events:*April 15 - Lee De Forest demonstrates the Phonofilm sound-on-film system at the Rivoli Theater in New York with a series of short musical films featuring vaudeville performers.-Top grossing films :-Films released in 1923:U.S.A...
) - Andy Hardy Meets DebutanteAndy Hardy Meets DebutanteAndy Hardy Meets Debutante is a 1940 American family comedy film directed by George B. Seitz. The film stars Lewis Stone, Mickey Rooney, Cecilia Parker, Fay Holden and Judy Garland...
(19401940 in filmThe year 1940 in film involved some significant events, including the premieres of the Walt Disney classics Pinocchio and Fantasia.-Events:*February 7 - Walt Disney's animated film Pinocchio is released....
) - Sweetheart of the CampusSweetheart of the CampusSweetheart of the Campus is a 1941 American musical comedy film directed by Edward Dmytryk.-Cast:* Ruby Keeler as Betty Blake* Ozzie Nelson as Ozzie Norton* Harriet Hilliard as Harriet Hale...
(1941)
External links
- George Lessey portraits at New York Public Library, Billy Rose Collection