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Abby Berlin (August 7, 1907 — August 16, 1965) was best known as a director of feature films and television productions. He began on Broadway and Vaudeville as part of a comedy team with Ken Brown in the 1920s. By 1939, he had moved to Hollywood, where he worked as an assistant director, before getting his opportunity to helm his own films with 1945's ''
Leave It to Blondie ''Leave It to Blondie'' is a 1945 black-and-white comedy film and the 15th of the 28 Blondie films. Plot summary Cast * Penny Singleton as Blondie * Arthur Lake as Dagwood * Larry Simms as Baby Dumpling * Marjorie Ann Mutchie as Cookie * Daisy ...
''. He was married at least twice, his first wife, Jean, committed suicide after arguing with him; his second wife was B-movie actress
Iris Meredith Iris Meredith (born Iris Shunn; June 3, 1915 – January 22, 1980) was a B-movie actress of the 1930s and 1940s film era. She starred mostly in heroine roles, in westerns. Early years Meredith was born in Sioux City, Iowa, but grew up in ...
.


Life and career

Berlin was born in New York City on August 7, 1907. By the late 1920s, he had teamed up Ken Brown as a comedy song/dance duo, who performed on both Broadway and on the Vaudeville circuit. The team had garnered the nickname the "Two Knights of Knonsense". In the 1930s, he moved to Hollywood, and was working as an assistant director on films by the end of the decade, many of them in the ''Blondie'' franchise. His first film as 1939's ''
Blondie Takes a Vacation ''Blondie Takes a Vacation'' is a 1939 American black-and-white comedy film directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, and Larry Simms. The film is based on Chic Young's comic strip of the same name. This was the th ...
''. Over the next six years, he would assist on nineteen movies. Outside of the ''Blondie'' films, he would work on such notable productions as ''
Go West, Young Lady ''Go West, Young Lady'' is a 1941 American comedy Western film directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Penny Singleton, Glenn Ford and Ann Miller. Plot The town of Headstone eagerly awaits the arrival of their new sheriff, hoping that he wi ...
'' (1941), ''
City Without Men ''City Without Men'' is a 1943 American film noir crime film directed by Sidney Salkow and starring Linda Darnell, Edgar Buchanan and Michael Duane. It was released by Columbia Pictures on January 14, 1943. A group of women lives in a boarding ...
'' (1943), ''
Sahara , photo = Sahara real color.jpg , photo_caption = The Sahara taken by Apollo 17 astronauts, 1972 , map = , map_image = , location = , country = , country1 = , ...
'' (1943), ''
What a Woman! ''What a Woman!'' is a 1943 American romantic comedy film directed by Irving Cummings and starring Rosalind Russell and Brian Aherne. The screenplay concerns a literary agent Carol Ainsley's trying to transform her star client, Michael Cobb, i ...
'' (1943), ''
The Boy from Stalingrad ''The Boy from Stalingrad'' is a 1943 American war film directed by Sidney Salkow. Plot Five Russian youngsters and an English boy form a guerilla band which harasses the Germans stationed in their village. Cast * Bobby Samarzich as Kolya * Con ...
'' (1943), '' The Impatient Years'' (1944), and 1945's '' A Song to Remember''. In 1945, he was given the opportunity to helm his own picture, ''
Leave It to Blondie ''Leave It to Blondie'' is a 1945 black-and-white comedy film and the 15th of the 28 Blondie films. Plot summary Cast * Penny Singleton as Blondie * Arthur Lake as Dagwood * Larry Simms as Baby Dumpling * Marjorie Ann Mutchie as Cookie * Daisy ...
''. It was the first film after Columbia re-booted the series. He directed a total of twelve feature films, nine of which were in the ''Blondie'' franchise. His other features included the romantic comedy, ''
Father Is a Bachelor ''Father Is a Bachelor'' is a 1950 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Abby Berlin and Norman Foster. It stars William Holden and Coleen Gray. Plot Carefree vagabond Johnny Rutledge is stuck in a small town when his medicine show ...
'' (1950 - which he co-directed with
Norman Foster Norman or Normans may refer to: Ethnic and cultural identity * The Normans, a people partly descended from Norse Vikings who settled in the territory of Normandy in France in the 10th and 11th centuries ** People or things connected with the Norm ...
), which stars
William Holden William Holden (born William Franklin Beedle Jr.; April 17, 1918 – November 12, 1981) was an American actor, and one of the biggest box-office draws of the 1950s. Holden won the Academy Award for Best Actor for the film ''Stalag 17'' (1953) ...
and
Coleen Gray Coleen Gray (born Doris Bernice Jensen; October 23, 1922 – August 3, 2015) was an American actress. She was best known for her roles in the films '' Nightmare Alley'' (1947), '' Red River'' (1948), and Stanley Kubrick's '' The Killing'' ...
; and the 1950 crime drama, '' Double Deal''. With the advent of television, Berlin moved to the small screen, where he directed on numerous series, including '' Blondie'', '' Lassie'', and ''
The Ann Sothern Show ''The Ann Sothern Show'' is an American sitcom starring Ann Sothern that aired on CBS for three seasons from October 6, 1958, to March 30, 1961. Created by Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf, the series was the second starring vehicle for Sothern, who ...
''. His direction of
William Bendix William Bendix (January 14, 1906 – December 14, 1964) was an American film, radio, and television actor, who typically played rough, blue-collar characters. He is best remembered for his role in ''Wake Island'', which earned him an Academy ...
in transforming the radio program to the small screen, was credited with making ''
The Life of Riley ''The Life of Riley'' is an American radio situation comedy series of the 1940s that was adapted into a 1949 feature film, a 1950s television series, and a 1958 comic book. Radio The radio program initially aired on the Blue Network (later kn ...
'' a success. In 1965, he would return to the big screen one last time, as an assistant director on '' The Great Sioux Massacre''. On August 19, 1965, Berlin died shortly after working on ''The Great Sioux Massacre'', before it opened in September. Berlin was married at least twice. During the 1930s, he married actress Jean Berlin. Just as he was beginning his directing career, in November 1939, the couple had an argument. Afterwards, Jean committed suicide by poisoning herself. Later, in 1943, he married
Iris Meredith Iris Meredith (born Iris Shunn; June 3, 1915 – January 22, 1980) was a B-movie actress of the 1930s and 1940s film era. She starred mostly in heroine roles, in westerns. Early years Meredith was born in Sioux City, Iowa, but grew up in ...
, when the two eloped to
Yuma, Arizona Yuma ( coc, Yuum) is a city in and the county seat of Yuma County, Arizona, United States. The city's population was 93,064 at the 2010 census, up from the 2000 census population of 77,515. Yuma is the principal city of the Yuma, Arizona, M ...
while he was working on ''Sahara''. The two remained married to until his death in 1965.


Filmography

(Per
AFI AFI may refer to: * ''Address-family identifier'', a 16 bit field of the Routing Information Protocol * Ashton Fletcher Irwin, an Australian drummer * AFI (band), an American rock band ** ''AFI'' (2004 album), a retrospective album by AFI rele ...
database) *'' Blondie Brings Up Baby'' (1939) - Assistant director *''
Blondie Takes a Vacation ''Blondie Takes a Vacation'' is a 1939 American black-and-white comedy film directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, and Larry Simms. The film is based on Chic Young's comic strip of the same name. This was the th ...
'' (1939) - Assistant director *''
The Stranger from Texas ''The Stranger from Texas'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson and starring Charles Starrett, Lorna Gray and the Sons of the Pioneers. Cast list * Charles Starrett as Tom Murdock/Tom Morgan * Lorna Gray as Jean Browning * R ...
'' (1939) - Assistant director *'' So You Won't Talk'' (1940) - Assistant director *'' Blondie Has Servant Trouble'' (1940) - Assistant director *''
Blondie Plays Cupid ''Blondie Plays Cupid'' is a 1940 American comedy film starring Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake and directed by Frank R. Strayer. Also in the cast is Glenn Ford Gwyllyn Samuel Newton "Glenn" Ford (May 1, 1916 – August 30, 2006) was a Cana ...
'' (1940) - Assistant director *'' Blondie Goes Latin'' (1941) - Assistant director *''
Blondie in Society ''Blondie in Society'' is a 1941 black-and-white comedy film directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, and Larry Simms. It is the ninth of the 28 features in the Blondie film series. Plot Dagwood is given a Great D ...
'' (1941) - Assistant director *''
Go West, Young Lady ''Go West, Young Lady'' is a 1941 American comedy Western film directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Penny Singleton, Glenn Ford and Ann Miller. Plot The town of Headstone eagerly awaits the arrival of their new sheriff, hoping that he wi ...
'' (1941) - Assistant director *''
Her First Beau ''Her First Beau'' is a 1941 comedy-drama directed by Theodore Reed and starring Jane Withers and Jackie Cooper. The film was produced by Columbia Pictures, and the screenplay was written by Gladys Lehman and Karen DeWolf based on the 1939 pla ...
'' (1941) - Assistant director *''
Two Latins from Manhattan ''Two Latins from Manhattan'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Charles Barton and starring Joan Davis, Jinx Falkenburg, and Joan Woodbury. Cast list * Joan Davis as Joan Daley * Jinx Falkenburg as Jinx Terry * Joan Woodbury as Lois Mo ...
'' (1941) - Assistant director *'' Blondie for Victory'' (1942) - Assistant director *''
Blondie Goes to College ''Blondie Goes to College'' is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Frank R. Strayer. The film is a part of the ''Blondie'' series, starring Penny Singleton in the title role. It is the tenth of twenty-eight Blondie movies starring Penny Sing ...
'' (1942) - Assistant director *''
Blondie's Blessed Event ''Blondie's Blessed Event'' is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, and Larry Simms. It is the 11th of the Blondie films. It was the first to feature the character of Cookie. Plot ...
'' (1942) - Assistant director *''
Meet the Stewarts ''Meet the Stewarts'' is a 1942 American romantic comedy directed by Alfred E. Green, which stars William Holden and Frances Dee. It was Holden's final film prior to his entering military service for World War II World War II or ...
'' (1942) - Assistant director *''
City Without Men ''City Without Men'' is a 1943 American film noir crime film directed by Sidney Salkow and starring Linda Darnell, Edgar Buchanan and Michael Duane. It was released by Columbia Pictures on January 14, 1943. A group of women lives in a boarding ...
'' (1943) - Assistant director *''
Dangerous Blondes ''Dangerous Blondes'' is a 1943 American comedy film directed by Leigh Jason and written by Richard Flournoy and Jack Henley.The film stars Allyn Joslyn and Evelyn Keyes, and was released by Columbia Pictures Columbia Pictures Industries ...
'' (1943) - Assistant director *''
Sahara , photo = Sahara real color.jpg , photo_caption = The Sahara taken by Apollo 17 astronauts, 1972 , map = , map_image = , location = , country = , country1 = , ...
'' (1943) - Assistant director *''
What a Woman! ''What a Woman!'' is a 1943 American romantic comedy film directed by Irving Cummings and starring Rosalind Russell and Brian Aherne. The screenplay concerns a literary agent Carol Ainsley's trying to transform her star client, Michael Cobb, i ...
'' (1943) - Assistant director *''
The Boy from Stalingrad ''The Boy from Stalingrad'' is a 1943 American war film directed by Sidney Salkow. Plot Five Russian youngsters and an English boy form a guerilla band which harasses the Germans stationed in their village. Cast * Bobby Samarzich as Kolya * Con ...
'' (1943) - Assistant director *'' The Impatient Years'' (1944) - Assistant director *'' Ever Since Venus'' (1944) - Assistant director *''
Leave It to Blondie ''Leave It to Blondie'' is a 1945 black-and-white comedy film and the 15th of the 28 Blondie films. Plot summary Cast * Penny Singleton as Blondie * Arthur Lake as Dagwood * Larry Simms as Baby Dumpling * Marjorie Ann Mutchie as Cookie * Daisy ...
'' (1945) - Director *'' A Song to Remember'' (1945) - Assistant director *'' Life with Blondie'' (1945) - Director *''
Blondie Knows Best ''Blondie Knows Best'' is a 1946 American comedy film directed by Abby Berlin and starring Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, Larry Simms, and Marjorie Ann Mutchie. It is the eighteenth of the 28 Blondie films. Plot Dagwood is under the threat of ...
'' (1946) - Director *''
Blondie's Lucky Day ''Blondie's Lucky Day'' is a 1946 American comedy film directed by Abby Berlin and starring Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, Larry Simms, Marjorie Ann Mutchie. It is the 17th of the 28 Blondie films. Plot summary While his boss, Mr. Dithers, is o ...
'' (1946) - Director *''
Blondie in the Dough ''Blondie in the Dough'' is a 1947 American comedy film directed by Abby Berlin and starring Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, Larry Simms, and Marjorie Ann Mutchie. It is 21st of the 28 Blondie films. Plot Dagwood and his boss are frantically se ...
'' (1947) - Director *''
Blondie's Anniversary ''Blondie's Anniversary'' is a 1947 American comedy film directed by Abby Berlin and starring Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, and Larry Simms. It is the twenty-second of the 28 Blondie films. Plot Dagwood is holding a watch, a gift that his bos ...
'' (1947) - Director *''
Blondie's Big Moment ''Blondie's Big Moment'' is a 1947 American comedy film directed by Abby Berlin and starring Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, Larry Simms, and Marjorie Ann Mutchie. It is the 19th of the 28 Blondie films. Plot Dagwood is eager to make a good imp ...
'' (1947) - Director *''
Blondie's Holiday ''Blondie's Holiday'' is a 1947 American comedy film directed by Abby Berlin and starring Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake. The film is based on the comic strip of the same name. The screenplay was written by Chic Young and Connie Lee. The fil ...
'' (1947) - Director *''
Blondie's Reward ''Blondie's Reward'' is a 1948 American comedy film directed by Abby Berlin and starring Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, Larry Simms, and Marjorie Ann Mutchie. It is the twenty-third of the 28 Blondie films. Plot Dagwood purchases the wrong rea ...
'' (1948) - Director *''
Mary Ryan, Detective ''Mary Ryan, Detective'' is a 1949 American crime drama, directed by Abby Berlin, which stars Marsha Hunt, John Litel, and June Vincent. Cast list * Marsha Hunt as Mary Ryan, also known as Mae Smith * John Litel as Captain Billings * June Vinc ...
'' (1950) - Director *'' Double Deal'' (1950) - Director *''
Father Is a Bachelor ''Father Is a Bachelor'' is a 1950 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Abby Berlin and Norman Foster. It stars William Holden and Coleen Gray. Plot Carefree vagabond Johnny Rutledge is stuck in a small town when his medicine show ...
'' (1950) - Director *'' The Great Sioux Massacre'' (1965) - Assistant director


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Berlin, Abby 1907 births 1965 deaths Film directors from New York City