Comedy films have traditionally not received their due from Hollywood, cineastes and academics. There seems to be an erroneous perception that because material is handled in a light fashion, it is without substance. When histories examine the great film directors of the 1930s and 40s, the list of names include well-known figures like Howard Hawks, Preston Sturges, Frank Capra, etc. occasionally at the expense of fine craftsmen like W.S. Van Dyke ("The Thin Man" 1934) and Gregory La Cava. La Cava, in particular, is often overlooked despite directing "My Man Godfrey" (1936), arguably one of the greatest "screwball" comedies. One may assert that he is sometimes neglected because his more dramatic fare is not on the same par with his comedy movies. His own contemporary reputation as "difficult" (stemming in part from his alcoholism) and the fact that he moved from studio to studio undoubtedly figures into this assessment. Still, in examining his oeuvre from the silent comedies through to his less than stellar final output, one can see the sponteneity (he was a proponent of improvisation on set) as well as a subversive social undertone that many have missed.
- Also Credited As:
George Gregory La Cava, Gregory LaCava
- Born:
March 10, 1892 in Towanda, Pennsylvania
- Died:
March 1, 1952.
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Job Titles:
Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Animator, Boxer, Journalist, Magazine and newspaper cartoonist
Education
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Chicago Institute of Art, Chicago, Illinois, painting
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Art Students League of New York, New York, New York
Milestones
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1913 Hired as an animator by Barre studios (date approximate)
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1915 Appointed editor-in-chief of an animation studio founded by William Randolph Hearst; worked with Walter Lantz on "The Katzenjammmer Kids" and "Silk Hat Harry"
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1918 Worked at Bray studio until it discontinued its animation unit
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1921 Moved to Los Angeles (date approximate)
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1922 First feature, "His Nibs"
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1924 Returned to feature filmmaking with "Restless Wives" and "The New School Teacher"; wrote screenplay for the latter
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1925 Signed to a four-year contract by Famous Players-Lasky Corportation; made 10 silent films, many starring Richard Dix
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1926 First film with W C Fields, "So's Your Old Man"
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1927 Helmed second Fields vehicle, "Running Wild"
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1928 Made what is arguably his best silent comedy "Feel My Pulse", with Bebe Daniels
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1929 Shot "Saturday's Children" as a silent; film reissued as a partial talkie
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1931 Put under contract at RKO; directed "Smart Woman"
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1933 Enjoyed a box-office hit with "Gabriel Over the White House" for MGM
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1934 Garnered praise for his direction of "The Affairs of Cellini"
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1936 Earned first Oscar nomination for Best Director for the screwball comedy "My Man Godfrey"
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1936 Helmed the Claudette Colbert comic vehicle "She Married Her Boss"
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1937 Received second Best Director Academy Award nomination for "Stage Door"; first of three films with Ginger Rogers
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1940 Co-wrote screenplay (with Allan Scott) and directed "The Primrose Path", featuring a strong performance from Ginger Rogers
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1947 Last directorial credit, "Living in a Big Way"
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1948 Began filming "One Touch of Venus"; reportedly walked off the set after 11 days of shooting and replaced by William A Seiter
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Because of financial considerations, abandoned art studies and took job as a newspaper reporter in Rochester, New York
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Began working as a newspaper cartoonist for the New York Globe& and the Evening World
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Directed Irene Dunne in two films, "Unfinished Business" and "Lady in a Jam"
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Helmed series of All-Star Comedy two-reelers starring Charlie Murray
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Hired as a gag writer on one- and two-reelers
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Studied painting at the Chicago Art Institute and the Art Students League in New York City