George Schaefer
Directing
George Louis Schaefer (December 16, 1920 – September 10, 1997) was an American director of television and Broadway theatre, who was active from the 1950s to the 1990s. Schaefer was born in Wallingford, Connecticut, and lived in Oak Park, Illinois for much of his boyhood and young adulthood. He was the son of Elsie (née Otterbein) and Louis Schaefer, who worked in sales. Schaefer studied stage directing at the Yale School of Drama. He began his directing career while serving in the U.S. Army Special Services during World War II. He directed over 50 plays for the troops. After being discharged, he directed for the Broadway theatre. His first production was of Shakespeare's Hamlet starring Maurice Evans. In 1953, Schaefer won a Tony Award for his production of The Teahouse of the August Moon which he co-produced with Evans. During the Golden Age of Television, Schaefer directed numerous live TV adaptations of Broadway plays for NBC's Hallmark Hall of Fame. His first episode for Hallmark was an adaptation of his Broadway staging of Hamlet starring Evans. In the 1980s, several of his productions for Hallmark aired in syndication under the title George Schaefer Showcase Theatre. His television work garnered him five Emmy wins out of 21 total nominations. He also won four Directors Guild of America Awards out of 17 nominations. He holds the record for the most DGA Award nominations. He also directed five theatrical films, but to limited success.
Known for
Directing82
movieHarvey
1996
Director
movieThe Man Upstairs
1992
Director
movieStone Pillow
1985
Director
movieAnswers
1985
Director
movieRight of Way
1983
Director
movieThe Deadly Game
1982
Director
movieA Piano for Mrs. Cimino
1982
Director
moviePeople vs. Jean Harris
1981
Director
movieThe Bunker
1981
Director
tvBlind Ambition
1979
Director
movieFirst, You Cry
1978
Director
movieAn Enemy of the People
1978
Director
movieOur Town
1977
Director
movieAmelia Earhart
1976
Director
movieIn This House of Brede
1975
Director
tvLincoln
1974
Director
movieOnce Upon a Scoundrel
1974
Director
movieA Time For Love
1973
Director
movieA War of Children
1972
Director
movieGideon
1971
Director
movieDoctors' Wives
1971
Director
movieGeneration
1969
Director
movieThe File on Devlin
1969
Director
moviePendulum
1969
Director
movieThe Admirable Crichton
1968
Director
movieElizabeth the Queen
1968
Director
movieSaint Joan
1967
Director
movieSoldier in Love
1967
Director
CBS Playhouse
1966
Director
movieBlithe Spirit
1966
Director
movieInherit the Wind
1965
Director
movieThe Holy Terror
1965
Director
movieThe Fantasticks
1964
Director
movieLittle Moon of Alban
1964
Director
movieMacbeth
1964
Director
movieAbe Lincoln in Illinois
1964
Director
movieA Cry of Angels
1963
Director
moviePygmalion
1963
Director
movieArsenic & Old Lace
1962
Director
movieVictoria Regina
1961
Director
tvAlcoa Premiere
1961
Director
tvKraft Mystery Theatre
1961
Director
movieThe Tempest
1960
Director
movieA Doll's House
1959
Director
Winterset
1959
Director
movieMeet Me in St. Louis
1959
Director
movieThe Gift of the Magi
1958
Director
movieKiss Me, Kate
1958
Director
movieLittle Moon of Alban
1958
Director
movieThe Yeomen of the Guard
1957
Director
movieThe Lark
1957
Director
movieThe Little Foxes
1956
Director
movieAlice in Wonderland
1955
Director
movieOne Touch of Venus
1955
Director
movieMacbeth
1954
Director
tvHallmark Hall of Fame
1951
Director
movieFallen Angel
1945
Assistant Director
Production42
movieThe Man Upstairs
1992
Producer
movieA Piano for Mrs. Cimino
1982
Producer
moviePeople vs. Jean Harris
1981
Producer
movieThe Bunker
1981
Producer
tvBlind Ambition
1979
Producer
movieAn Enemy of the People
1978
Producer
movieOur Town
1977
Producer
tvLincoln
1974
Producer
movieGideon
1971
Producer
movieThe File on Devlin
1969
Executive Producer
movieThe Admirable Crichton
1968
Producer
movieElizabeth the Queen
1968
Producer
CBS Playhouse
1966
Producer
movieBlithe Spirit
1966
Producer
movieInherit the Wind
1965
Producer
movieThe Holy Terror
1965
Producer
movieThe Fantasticks
1964
Producer
movieMacbeth
1964
Producer
movieAbe Lincoln in Illinois
1964
Producer
moviePygmalion
1963
Producer
movieArsenic & Old Lace
1962
Producer
movieThe Tempest
1960
Producer
movieA Doll's House
1959
Producer
Winterset
1959
Producer
movieThe Gift of the Magi
1958
Producer
movieKiss Me, Kate
1958
Producer
movieLittle Moon of Alban
1958
Producer
movieThe Yeomen of the Guard
1957
Producer
movieThe Lark
1957
Producer
movieThe Little Foxes
1956
Producer
tvHallmark Hall of Fame
1951
Producer