David Butler (December 17, 1894 – June 14, 1979) was an American actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and television director.

Biography

Butler was born in San Francisco, California. His mother was actress Adele Belgrade, and his father was actor and director Fred J. Butler. His first acting roles were playing extras in stage plays. He later appeared in two

D.W. Griffith David Wark Griffith (January 22, 1875 – July 23, 1948) was an American film director. Considered one of the most influential figures in the history of the motion picture, he pioneered many aspects of film editing and expanded the art of the na ...

films: ''The Girl Who Stayed Home'' and ''

The Greatest Thing in Life ''The Greatest Thing in Life'' is a 1918 American silent drama film about World War I, directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Lillian Gish, Robert Harron, and David Butler. The film is now considered lost as no prints are known to exist.

''. He also appeared in the 1927 Academy-Award winning film '' 7th Heaven''. The same year, Butler made his directorial debut with ''High School Hero'', a comedy for

Fox Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright, triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or ''brush''). Twelve sp ...

. During Butler's nine-year tenure at Fox, he directed over 30 films, including four

Shirley Temple Shirley Temple Black (born Shirley Jane Temple;While Temple occasionally used "Jane" as a middle name, her birth certificate reads "Shirley Temple". Her birth certificate was altered to prolong her babyhood shortly after she signed with Fox in ...

vehicles. Butler's last film for Fox, ''

Kentucky Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virginia to ...

'', won

Walter Brennan Walter Andrew Brennan (July 25, 1894 – September 21, 1974) was an American actor and singer. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performances in '' Come and Get It'' (1936), ''Kentucky'' (1938), and '' The Westerner ...

Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It is given in honor of an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role while worki ...

. Butler worked with

Bing Crosby Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, musician and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwide. He was a ...

in ''

Road to Morocco ''Road to Morocco'' is a 1942 American comedy film starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour, and featuring Anthony Quinn and Dona Drake. The film, which was written by Frank Butler and Don Hartman and directed by David Butler for Para ...

'' and ''

If I Had My Way ''If I Had My Way'' is a 1940 musical comedy film directed by David Butler and starring Bing Crosby and Gloria Jean. Based on a story by David Butler, the film is about a construction worker who takes charge of the daughter of a friend killed in ...

''. He directed many films starring

Doris Day Doris Day (born Doris Mary Kappelhoff; April 3, 1922 – May 13, 2019) was an American actress, singer, and activist. She began her career as a big band singer in 1939, achieving commercial success in 1945 with two No. 1 recordings, " Sent ...

, including ''

It's a Great Feeling ''It's a Great Feeling'' is a 1949 American Technicolor musical comedy film starring Doris Day, Jack Carson, and Dennis Morgan in a parody of what goes on behind the scenes in Hollywood movie making. The screenplay by Jack Rose and Mel Shavels ...

'', '' Tea for Two'', '' By the Light of the Silvery Moon'', '' Lullaby of Broadway'', '' April in Paris'', and ''

Calamity Jane Martha Jane Cannary (May 1, 1852 – August 1, 1903), better known as Calamity Jane, was an American frontierswoman, sharpshooter, and storyteller. In addition to many exploits she was known for being an acquaintance of Wild Bill Hickok. Late ...

''. During the late 1950s and 1960s, Butler directed primarily television episodes, mainly for '' Leave It to Beaver'' and ''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western series that aired 8 seasons: first on the NBC television network (1957–1962), and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and became number one in the Nielsen ratings. It ...

''. Butler supported

Barry Goldwater Barry Morris Goldwater (January 2, 1909 – May 29, 1998) was an American politician and United States Air Force officer who was a five-term U.S. Senator from Arizona (1953–1965, 1969–1987) and the Republican Party nominee for presiden ...

in the

1964 United States presidential election The 1964 United States presidential election was the 45th quadrennial United States presidential election, presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 3, 1964. Incumbent Democratic Party (United States), Democratic President of the Un ...

. For his contributions to the film industry, Butler was inducted into the

Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic landmark which consists of more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, Californ ...

in 1960 with a motion pictures star located at 6561 Hollywood Boulevard.

Partial filmography

* ''

'' (1918) * ''

The Unpainted Woman ''The Unpainted Woman'' is a 1919 American drama film directed by Tod Browning that is based upon a story by Sinclair Lewis. It is not known whether the film currently survives, which suggests that it is a lost film. Plot As described in a film ...

'' (1919) * '' Better Times'' (1919) * ''

Nugget Nell ''Nugget Nell'' is a 1919 American comedy silent film directed by Elmer Clifton and written by John R. Cornish. The film stars Dorothy Gish, David Butler, Raymond Cannon, Regina Sarle, Jim Farley, and Bob Fleming. The film was released on July 2 ...

'' (1919) * ''

The Petal on the Current ''The Petal on the Current'' is a lost 1919 American drama film directed by Tod Browning. Plot Based upon a description in a film magazine, Stella Schump (MacLaren) is a working girl who, on the advice of a friend Cora (Ridgeway), who is attemp ...

'' (1919) * '' The Other Half'' (1919) * ''

Bonnie Bonnie Lassie ''Bonnie, Bonnie Lassie'' is a lost 1919 American comedy film directed by Tod Browning. Cast * Mary MacLaren - Alisa Graeme * Spottiswoode Aitken - Jeremiah Wishart * David Butler - David * Arthur Edmund Carewe - Archibald Loveday (as Arthur ...

'' (1919) * '' The Pointing Finger'' (1919) * '' The Triflers'' (1920) * ''

The Sky Pilot ''The Sky Pilot'' is a 1921 American silent drama film based on the novel of the same name by Ralph Connor. It is directed by King Vidor and features Colleen Moore. In February 2020, the film was shown in a newly restored version at the 70th B ...

'' (1921) * ''

The Wise Kid ''The Wise Kid'' is a lost 1922 American silent comedy film directed by Tod Browning. Plot As described in a film magazine, restaurant cashier Rosie Cooper (Walton) is in love with bakery worker Freddie Smith (Butler), but when she helps out cu ...

'' (1922) * ''

The Village Blacksmith "The Village Blacksmith" is a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, first published in 1840. The poem describes a local blacksmith and his daily life. The blacksmith serves as a role model who balances his job with the role he plays with his family ...

'' (1922) * ''

Conquering the Woman ''Conquering the Woman'' is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by King Vidor. A print of the film exists at the Cinematheque Royale de Belgique in Belgium. Plot As described in a film magazine, Judith Stafford (Vidor) returns to her Sa ...

'' (1922) * ''

According to Hoyle Edmond Hoyle (167229 August 1769) was an English writer best known for his works on the rules and play of card games. The phrase "according to Hoyle" (meaning "strictly according to the rules") came into the language as a reflection of his gene ...

'' (1922) * ''

The Hero The Hero may refer to: Books * "The Hero" (poem), a poem written by Rabindranath Tagore * ''The Hero'' (novel), a science fiction novel by John Ringo and Michael Z. Williamson * '' The Hero: A Study in Tradition, Myth and Drama'', a book by Fi ...

'' (1923) * ''

A Noise in Newboro ''A Noise in Newboro'' is a 1923 American silent comedy film directed by Harry Beaumont and starring Viola Dana, David Butler and Eva Novak.MacKinnon p.188 Cast * Viola Dana as Martha Mason * David Butler as Ben Colwell * Eva Novak as Anne ...

'' (1923) * ''

Poor Men's Wives ''Poor Men's Wives'' is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by Louis J. Gasnier and starring Barbara La Marr, David Butler and Betty Francisco.Connelly p.216 The previous year Gasnier had directed a film called ''Rich Men's Wives''. Syno ...

'' (1923) * ''

Mary of the Movies ''Mary of the Movies'' is a 1923 American silent semi-autobiographical comedy film based on the career of Marion Mack. It was written by Mack and her husband Louis Lewyn, and stars Mack and Creighton Hale. Hale and director John McDermott play ...

'' (1923) (cameo) * ''

Desire Desires are states of mind that are expressed by terms like "wanting", "wishing", "longing" or "craving". A great variety of features is commonly associated with desires. They are seen as propositional attitudes towards conceivable states of aff ...

'' (1923) * ''

Cause for Divorce ''Cause for Divorce'' (german: Der Scheidungsgrund) is a 1937 Czech-German comedy drama film directed by Karel Lamač and starring Anny Ondra, Jack Trevor and Robert Dorsay Robert Dorsay (16 August 1904 – 29 October 1943) was a German ac ...

'' (1923) * '' The Temple of Venus'' (1923) * ''

Hoodman Blind ''Hoodman Blind'' is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by John Ford. It is a remake of a 1913 film of the same name directed by James Gordon and a 1916 William Farnum Fox feature titled ''A Man of Sorrow'' and based on the play ''Hoo ...

'' (1923) * ''

Arizona Express ''Arizona Express'' is a 1924 American silent crime drama film directed by Tom Buckingham and starring Pauline Starke and Evelyn Brent. Plot As described in a film magazine review, David Keith, although engaged to a young woman of the town, ...

'' (1924) * '' Private Affairs'' (1925) * ''

The Phantom Express The Phantom Express is a 1932 American pre-Code mystery crime-drama directed by Emory Johnson and based on the Emory Johnson story. The film stars William Collier, Jr. as Bruce Harrington, Sally Blane as Carolyn Nolan and Hobart Bosworth as Mr ...

'' (1925) * '' His Majesty, Bunker Bean'' (1925) * ''

The Man on the Box ''The Man on the Box'' is a 1914 American silent comedy-drama film directed by Oscar Apfel and co-directed by Cecil B. DeMille. It was based on the 1904 novel of the same name by Harold MacGrath and stars Horace B. Carpenter. Max Figman had s ...

'' (1925) * ''

Wages for Wives ''Wages for Wives'' is a 1925 American silent comedy film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Jacqueline Logan, Creighton Hale, Earle Foxe, ZaSu Pitts, Claude Gillingwater, and David Butler. The film was released by Fox Film Corporation on ...

'' (1925) * ''

The People vs. Nancy Preston ''The People vs. Nancy Preston'' is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Tom Forman and starring Marguerite De La Motte, John Bowers, and Frankie Darro. Plot As described in a film magazine reviews, Bill Preston and Mike Horgan, pri ...

'' (1925) * ''

Havoc High Altitude Venus Operational Concept (HAVOC) is a set of crewed NASA mission concepts to the planet Venus. All human portions of the missions would be conducted from lighter-than-air craft or from orbit. Background Venus is a planet with a ru ...

'' (1925) * '' The Sap'' (1926) * ''

The Blue Eagle ''The Blue Eagle'' is a 1926 American action film directed by John Ford. Prints of the film exist in the Library of Congress film archive and in the UCLA Film and Television Archive, but one reel is missing. Plot Cast * George O'Brien as G ...

'' (1926) * ''

Meet the Prince ''Meet the Prince'' is a lost 1926 American comedy-drama silent film directed by Joseph Henabery and starring Joseph Schildkraut and Marguerite De La Motte. It was produced by Metropolitan Pictures Corporation and distributed by Producers Distri ...

'' (1926) * '' Oh, Baby!'' (1926) * '' The High School Hero'' (1927) * ''

News Parade ''News Parade'' is a 1928 American comedy film directed by David Butler and starring Nick Stuart, Sally Phipps and Brandon Hurst. The film portrays the adventures of a newsreel cameraman. Despite poor reviews and only a modest box office perf ...

'' (1928) * ''

Win That Girl ''Win That Girl'' is a lost 1928 silent film comedy directed by David Butler and starring David Rollins and Sue Carol. It was produced and distributed by Fox Film Corporation. The film while silent, had a synchronized soundtrack of music and sou ...

'' (1928) * '' Prep and Pep'' (1928) * '' Sunny Side Up'' (1929) * ''

Chasing Through Europe ''Chasing Through Europe'' is a 1929 American Pre-Code romance film directed by David Butler and Alfred L. Werker and starring Sue Carol, Nick Stuart and Gustav von Seyffertitz. It was made by the Fox Film Corporation and was released in both ...

'' (1929) * ''

High Society Blues ''High Society Blues'' is a 1930 American pre-Code film starring Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell. The movie was written by Howard J. Green from the story by Dana Burnett, and directed by David Butler. Gaynor and Farrell made almost a dozen f ...

'' (1930) * ''

Just Imagine ''Just Imagine'' is a 1930 American pre-Code science fiction musical-comedy film, directed by David Butler. The film is known for its art direction and special effects in its portrayal of New York City in an imagined 1980. ''Just Imagine'' st ...

'' (1930) * '' Delicious'' (1931) * ''

Business and Pleasure ''Business and Pleasure'' is a 1932 American pre-Code comedy film directed by David Butler, starring Will Rogers and featuring Boris Karloff.

'' (1932) * '' Down to Earth'' (1932) * ''

Hold Me Tight "Hold Me Tight" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1963 album ''With the Beatles''. It was first recorded during the '' Please Please Me'' album session, but not selected for inclusion and re-recorded for their second albu ...

'' (1933) * '' My Weakness'' (1933) * '' Bottoms Up'' (1934) * '' Bright Eyes'' (1934) * '' The Little Colonel'' (1935) * ''

The Littlest Rebel ''The Littlest Rebel'' is a 1935 American musical drama film directed by David Butler. The screenplay by Edwin J. Burke was adapted from a play of the same name by Edward Peple. Cast * Shirley Temple as Virgie Cary * John Boles as Herbert Ca ...

'' (1935) * '' Captain January'' (1936) * ''

Dimples A dimple, also called a gelasin (, ) is a small natural indentation in the flesh on a part of the human body, most notably in the cheek. Numerous cultures believe that cheek dimples are a good luck charm that entices people who perceive them as ...

'' (1936) * ''

Pigskin Parade ''Pigskin Parade'' is a 1936 American musical comedy film which tells the story of husband-and-wife college football coaches who convince a backwoods player to play for their team so they can go to the big game. It was written by William M. Consel ...

'' (1936) * ''

'' (1938) * ''

That's Right – You're Wrong ''That's Right – You're Wrong'' is a 1939 American musical film directed by David Butler and released by RKO Radio Pictures. The film stars Kay Kyser and his band, with a cast that included Adolphe Menjou, Lucille Ball, Edward Everett Horton, R ...

'' (1939) * ''

You'll Find Out ''You'll Find Out'' is a 1940 American comedy film directed by David Butler and starring Kay Kyser. In 1940, the film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song ("I'd Know You Anywhere") at the 13th Academy Awards. In the film, m ...

'' (1940) * ''

'' (1942) * '' Thank Your Lucky Stars'' (1943) * ''

Shine On, Harvest Moon "Shine On, Harvest Moon" is a popular early-1900s song credited to the married vaudeville team Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth. It was one of a series of moon-related Tin Pan Alley songs of the era. The song was debuted by Bayes and Norworth in the Z ...

'' (1944) * ''

The Princess and the Pirate ''The Princess and the Pirate'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by David Butler and starring Bob Hope and Virginia Mayo. Based on a story by Sy Bartlett, the film is about a princess who travels incognito to elope with her true love inste ...

'' (1944) * ''

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'' (1945) * '' The Time, the Place and the Girl'' (1946) * ''

'' (1949) * ''

The Story of Seabiscuit ''The Story of Seabiscuit'' is a 1949 American drama film directed by David Butler and starring Shirley Temple and Barry Fitzgerald in a semi-fictionalized account of racehorse Seabiscuit, the top money winner up to the 1940s. The screenplay w ...

'' (1949) * '' Tea for Two'' (1950) * ''

Where's Charley? ''Where's Charley?'' is a musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by George Abbott. The story was based on the 1892 play ''Charley's Aunt'' by Brandon Thomas. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1948 and was revived on Broadway an ...

'' (1952) * '' April in Paris'' (1952) * '' By the Light of the Silvery Moon'' (1953) * ''

'' (1953) * ''

King Richard and the Crusaders ''King Richard and the Crusaders'' is a 1954 American historical drama film made by Warner Bros. The film stars Rex Harrison, Virginia Mayo, George Sanders and Laurence Harvey, with Robert Douglas, Michael Pate and Paula Raymond. It was direct ...

'' (1954) * '' The Command'' (1954) * ''

Jump into Hell ''Jump into Hell'' is a 1955 war film directed by David Butler. The film stars Jacques Sernas and Kurt Kasznar. As the first Hollywood film based on the war in French Indochina, the story is a fictionalized account of the Battle of Dien Bien Ph ...

'' (1955) * ''

The Girl He Left Behind ''The Girl He Left Behind'' is a 1956 American romantic comedy film starring Tab Hunter and Natalie Wood. The supporting cast includes Jim Backus, Alan King, James Garner, and David Janssen. The film was written by Guy Trosper and directed by Dav ...

'' (1956) * ''

C'mon, Let's Live a Little ''C'mon, Let's Live a Little'' is a 1967 film directed by David Butler. It stars Bobby Vee and Jackie DeShannon. This was the last film directed by Butler, who began acting on screen in 1917 and had been directing since the late 1920s. Plot Enr ...

'' (1967)

References

External links

* * *
David Butler
at Virtual History {{DEFAULTSORT:Butler, David 1894 births 1979 deaths Male actors from California American male film actors Film producers from California American male screenwriters American television directors Male actors from San Francisco Film directors from California 20th-century American male actors Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) Screenwriters from California 20th-century American screenwriters 20th-century American male writers