H. C. Potter
Encyclopedia
Henry Codman Potter was an American theatrical producer/director
and a motion picture director
.
, the grandson of the Right Rev. Henry Codman Potter
, Episcopal Bishop of New York, and son of Alonzo Potter, New York investment banker. He attended St. Marks School and graduated from Yale University
in 1936, where he was a member of the Yale Dramatic Association
and Scroll and Key
. He attended the Yale School of Drama
in the era of George Pierce Baker
, and with George Haight founded the Hampton Players, one of the first summer theaters in America, based in Southampton, Long Island
1927–33. With Haight as producer, he directed numerous Broadway
productions 1927–35, then moved to Hollywood where he directed over 20 feature films, earning a reputation as a specialist in "gag" comedy.
He married Lucilla Annie Wylie in 1926. Their three sons were Daniel J. Potter M.D. , Robert A. Potter and Earl Wylie Potter.
The films he directed included: Beloved Enemy (1936), Wings Over Honolulu (1937), Romance in the Dark, The Cowboy and the Lady
, and The Shopworn Angel
(1938), The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle
and Blackmail
(1939), Congo Masie and Second Chorus
(1940), Hellzapoppin'
(1941), Victory Through Air Power (documentary) and Mr. Lucky
(1943), The Farmer's Daughter and A Likely Story (1947), You Gotta Stay Happy
, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House
and The Time of Your Life (1948), The Miniver Story
(1950), Three for the Show (1955) and Top Secret Affair (1957).
An avid private pilot, he served during World War II
as Superintendent of Operations at Falcon Field
, Phoenix Arizona, training Royal Air Force
pilots, and later as Captain in the Air Transport Command
, ferrying cargo in small planes to military bases throughout California
. His postwar film career was impeded by a contract with RKO, then controlled and virtually brought to a halt by the eccentric policies of its owner, Howard Hughes
.
In 1958 he retired from film work and moved to New York
, where he opened a stage production office with Richard Meyers, and pursued his hobby of training Labrador Retrievers for Field Trial
s. He died in Southampton, New York on August 31, 1977.
Theatrical producer
A theatrical producer is the person ultimately responsible for overseeing all aspects of mounting a theatre production. The independent producer will usually be the originator and finder of the script and starts the whole process...
and a motion picture director
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:...
.
Biography
H.C. Potter was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, the grandson of the Right Rev. Henry Codman Potter
Henry Codman Potter
Henry Codman Potter was a bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States. He was the seventh Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York.-Life:...
, Episcopal Bishop of New York, and son of Alonzo Potter, New York investment banker. He attended St. Marks School and graduated from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 1936, where he was a member of the Yale Dramatic Association
Yale Dramatic Association
The Yale Dramatic Association, also known as the "Dramat," is the second-oldest college theater company in the country. Founded in 1900 by undergraduates at Yale University, the Dramat has been producing some of the finest student theatre in the United States for over a century.Though no formal...
and Scroll and Key
Scroll and Key
The Scroll and Key Society is a secret society, founded in 1842 at Yale University, in New Haven, Connecticut. It is the wealthiest and second oldest Yale secret society...
. He attended the Yale School of Drama
Yale School of Drama
The Yale School of Drama is a graduate professional school of Yale University providing training in every discipline of the theatre: acting, design , directing, dramaturgy and dramatic criticism, playwriting, stage management, sound design, technical design and production, and theater...
in the era of George Pierce Baker
George Pierce Baker
George Pierce Baker was an American educator in the field of drama.Baker graduated in the Harvard University class of 1887, and taught in the English Department at Harvard from 1888 until 1924. He started his "47 workshop" class in playwrighting in 1905. He was instrumental in creating the Harvard...
, and with George Haight founded the Hampton Players, one of the first summer theaters in America, based in Southampton, Long Island
Southampton (town), New York
The Town of Southampton is located in southeastern Suffolk County, New York, U.S., partly on the South Fork of Long Island. As of the United States 2000 Census, the town had a total population of 54,712...
1927–33. With Haight as producer, he directed numerous Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
productions 1927–35, then moved to Hollywood where he directed over 20 feature films, earning a reputation as a specialist in "gag" comedy.
He married Lucilla Annie Wylie in 1926. Their three sons were Daniel J. Potter M.D. , Robert A. Potter and Earl Wylie Potter.
The films he directed included: Beloved Enemy (1936), Wings Over Honolulu (1937), Romance in the Dark, The Cowboy and the Lady
The Cowboy and the Lady (1938 film)
The Cowboy and the Lady is a 1938 American western romantic comedy film directed by H.C. Potter, and starring Gary Cooper and Merle Oberon. The film was written by S.N. Behrman and Sonya Levien, based on a story by Frank R. Adams and veteran film director Leo McCarey...
, and The Shopworn Angel
The Shopworn Angel
The Shopworn Angel is a 1938 American drama film directed by H.C. Potter. The MGM release featured the second screen pairing of Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart following their successful teaming in the Universal Pictures production Next Time We Love two years earlier...
(1938), The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle
The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle
The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle is an American biographical musical comedy, released in 1939 and directed by H.C. Potter. The film stars Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edna May Oliver, and Walter Brennan....
and Blackmail
Blackmail (1939 film)
Blackmail is a 1939 crime drama film starring Edward G. Robinson. The black-and-white film was directed by H.C. Potter.-Plot:Edward G. Robinson plays John Ingram, a very successful oil-field firefighter with a young family. All is going so well, he's even bought his own oil well in hope of...
(1939), Congo Masie and Second Chorus
Second Chorus
Second Chorus is a Hollywood musical comedy film starring Fred Astaire, Burgess Meredith, Paulette Goddard, Artie Shaw, and Charles Butterworth, with music by Artie Shaw, Bernie Hanighen, Hal Borne and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The film was directed by H. C...
(1940), Hellzapoppin'
Hellzapoppin' (film)
Hellzapoppin' is a 1941 Universal Pictures adaptation of the musical of the same name directed by H.C. Potter. The cast includes Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson , Martha Raye, Mischa Auer, Shemp Howard, and The Six Hits.The credits for the movie assert that "any resemblance between Hellzapoppin and a...
(1941), Victory Through Air Power (documentary) and Mr. Lucky
Mr. Lucky (film)
Mr. Lucky is a 1943 film directed by H.C. Potter, starring Cary Grant and Laraine Day. It tells the story of a romance between a shady gambler and a wealthy socialite in the early days of World War II....
(1943), The Farmer's Daughter and A Likely Story (1947), You Gotta Stay Happy
You Gotta Stay Happy
You Gotta Stay Happy is a 1948 Universal-International romantic-comedy starring James Stewart, Joan Fontaine and Eddie Albert.-Plot:Marvin Payne is a World War II army air force veteran trying to make it on a shoe-string with a startup air-freight business...
, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House is a 1948 American comedy film directed by H.C. Potter and starring Cary Grant and Myrna Loy. The film was written and produced by the team of Melvin Frank and Norman Panama...
and The Time of Your Life (1948), The Miniver Story
The Miniver Story
The Miniver Story is a 1950 film sequel to the successful 1942 film Mrs. Miniver.Like its predecessor, it was made by MGM and starred Greer Garson in the title role, but it was filmed on location in England. The film was directed by H.C. Potter and produced by Sidney Franklin, from a screenplay by...
(1950), Three for the Show (1955) and Top Secret Affair (1957).
An avid private pilot, he served during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as Superintendent of Operations at Falcon Field
Falcon Field (Arizona)
Falcon Field is a public airport located five miles northeast of the central business district of Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. According to the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2007–2011, it is categorized as a reliever airport.Although most U.S...
, Phoenix Arizona, training Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
pilots, and later as Captain in the Air Transport Command
Air Transport Command
Air Transport Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its mission was to meet the urgent demand for the speedy reinforcement of the United States' military bases worldwide during World War II, using an air supply system to supplement surface transport...
, ferrying cargo in small planes to military bases throughout California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. His postwar film career was impeded by a contract with RKO, then controlled and virtually brought to a halt by the eccentric policies of its owner, Howard Hughes
Howard Hughes
Howard Robard Hughes, Jr. was an American business magnate, investor, aviator, engineer, film producer, director, and philanthropist. He was one of the wealthiest people in the world...
.
In 1958 he retired from film work and moved to New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where he opened a stage production office with Richard Meyers, and pursued his hobby of training Labrador Retrievers for Field Trial
Field trial
A field trial is a competitive event at which hunting dogs compete against one another. There are field trials for retrievers, pointing dogs and flushing dogs. Field trials are usually organized by kennel clubs or other gun dog organizations...
s. He died in Southampton, New York on August 31, 1977.
Selected filmography
- The Shopworn AngelThe Shopworn AngelThe Shopworn Angel is a 1938 American drama film directed by H.C. Potter. The MGM release featured the second screen pairing of Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart following their successful teaming in the Universal Pictures production Next Time We Love two years earlier...
(1938) - BlackmailBlackmail (1939 film)Blackmail is a 1939 crime drama film starring Edward G. Robinson. The black-and-white film was directed by H.C. Potter.-Plot:Edward G. Robinson plays John Ingram, a very successful oil-field firefighter with a young family. All is going so well, he's even bought his own oil well in hope of...
(1939) - The Story of Vernon and Irene CastleThe Story of Vernon and Irene CastleThe Story of Vernon and Irene Castle is an American biographical musical comedy, released in 1939 and directed by H.C. Potter. The film stars Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edna May Oliver, and Walter Brennan....
(1939) - Second ChorusSecond ChorusSecond Chorus is a Hollywood musical comedy film starring Fred Astaire, Burgess Meredith, Paulette Goddard, Artie Shaw, and Charles Butterworth, with music by Artie Shaw, Bernie Hanighen, Hal Borne and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The film was directed by H. C...
(1940) - HellzapoppinHellzapoppin' (film)Hellzapoppin' is a 1941 Universal Pictures adaptation of the musical of the same name directed by H.C. Potter. The cast includes Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson , Martha Raye, Mischa Auer, Shemp Howard, and The Six Hits.The credits for the movie assert that "any resemblance between Hellzapoppin and a...
(1941) - Mr. LuckyMr. Lucky (film)Mr. Lucky is a 1943 film directed by H.C. Potter, starring Cary Grant and Laraine Day. It tells the story of a romance between a shady gambler and a wealthy socialite in the early days of World War II....
(1943) - The Farmer's Daughter (1947)
- Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream HouseMr. Blandings Builds His Dream HouseMr. Blandings Builds His Dream House is a 1948 American comedy film directed by H.C. Potter and starring Cary Grant and Myrna Loy. The film was written and produced by the team of Melvin Frank and Norman Panama...
(1948) - The Miniver StoryThe Miniver StoryThe Miniver Story is a 1950 film sequel to the successful 1942 film Mrs. Miniver.Like its predecessor, it was made by MGM and starred Greer Garson in the title role, but it was filmed on location in England. The film was directed by H.C. Potter and produced by Sidney Franklin, from a screenplay by...
(1950)