Arthur Alexander (1909–1989) was an American

independent film An independent film, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies (or, i ...

producer. He worked with his brother Max and produced.films through.various studios including their own Beacon Productions, Colony Pictures, and Max Alexander Productions.

Biography

Alexander was born in Germany. He began his Hollywood career in 1934 and produced about 50 films through 1949, many westerns, all with low budgets and with no connection to the established Hollywood studios (other than the fact that his uncle was Carl Laemmle, long-time head of

Universal Pictures Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Ameri ...

). With his brother Max, Alexander founded Beacon Productions, Colony Pictures, and Max Alexander Productions. He was active as producer at the short-lived Grand National Pictures from 1936 through 1939, and released through

Producers Releasing Corporation Producers Releasing Corporation was the smallest and least prestigious of the Hollywood film studios of the 1940s. It was considered a prime example of what was called "Poverty Row": a low-rent stretch of Gower Street in Hollywood where shoest ...

afterward. Much of his work is in public domain today and accessible online.

Partial filmography

* '' Thunder Over Texas'' (1934) * ''

Cowboy Holiday ''Cowboy Holiday'' is a 1934 American Western film directed by Robert F. Hill, produced by Max Alexander and Arthur Alexander for Beacon Productions and starring Guinn "Big Boy" Williams and Richard Alexander. Plot Buck Sawyer's friend, S ...

'' (1934) * ''

Gun Play ''Gun Play'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by Albert Herman and starring Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams, Marion Shilling and Frank Yaconelli.Pitts, p. 53. Plot summary Cast * Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams as Bill Williams * Marion Shilling ...

'' (1935) * ''

Big Boy Rides Again ''Big Boy Rides Again'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by Albert Herman. Cast *Guinn "Big Boy" Williams as Tom Duncan *Constance Bergen as Nancy Smiley *Charles K. French as John Duncan * Lafe McKee as Tap Smiley *Victor Potel as Ra ...

'' (1935) * '' The Law of 45's'' (1935) * ''

Law and Lead ''Law and Lead'' is a 1936 American Western film directed by Robert F. Hill that is a remake of '' Cowboy Holiday'' (1934). Plot Range Detective Jimmy Sawyer has earned time off after apprehending four offenders. He overhears one his fellow ...

'' (1936) * '' Idaho Kid'' (1936) *'' Men of the Plains'' (1936) * ''

The Shadow Strikes ''The Shadow Strikes'' is a 1937 black and white American film based on the story ''Ghost of the Manor'' written by Walter B. Gibson under the pen name Maxwell Grant The Shadow was featured on a popular radio show and also as a pulp magazine crim ...

'' (1937) * '' International Crime'' (1938) * ''

Here's Flash Casey ''Here's Flash Casey'' is a 1937 American film directed by Lynn Shores and starring Eric Linden and Boots Mallory. Plot Flash Casey is able finally to get the job as photographer at Globe Press. And he would like to marry newspaper woman Kay Lann ...

'' (1938) * '' Songs and Saddles'' (1938) * '' Death Rides the Range'' (1939) * ''

Phantom Rancher ''Phantom Rancher'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by Harry L. Fraser and starring Ken Maynard. Plot summary When Ken Mitchell inherits his late uncle's cattle ranch he finds the community hates him for trying to drive farmers off ...

'' (1940) * ''

Hard Guy ''Hard Guy'' is a 1941 American film directed by Elmer Clifton. The film is also known as ''Professional Bride'' in the United Kingdom. Plot Vic Monroe is the proprietor of the Tropical Inn nightclub. He also runs a special racket involving the ...

'' (1941) * ''

I'll Sell My Life ''I'll Sell My Life'' is a 1941 American crime film directed by Elmer Clifton and starring Rose Hobart, Michael Whalen and Joan Woodbury.Fetrow p.224 Cast * Rose Hobart as Dale Layden * Michael Whalen as Mordecai Breen * Stanley Fields a ...

'' (1941) * ''

Today I Hang Today (archaically to-day) may refer to: * Day of the present, the time that is perceived directly, often called ''now'' * Current era, present * The current calendar date Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Today'' (1930 film), a 1930 A ...

'' (1942) *'' Bombs Over Burma'' (1942) * '' The Dawn Express'' (1942) * ''

The Ghost and the Guest ''The Ghost and the Guest'' is a 1943 American black-and-white comedy-mystery film directed by William Nigh and starring James Dunn, Florence Rice, Robert Dudley, and Sam McDaniel. The plot finds a newlywed couple honeymooning in a house they th ...

'' (1943) * '' The Underdog'' (1943) * '' Spook Town'' (1944) * '' Gangsters of the Frontier'' (1944) * '' Brand of the Devil'' (1944) * ''

Seven Doors to Death ''Seven Doors to Death'' (also known as ''Vanishing Corpses'' in its American reissue title) is a 1944 American film directed by Elmer Clifton and starring Chick Chandler, June Clyde and George Meeker. The film is a comedy/mystery film that was w ...

'' (1944) * '' Waterfront'' (1944) * '' Guns of the Law'' (1944)

Colony Pictures

*''

Stormy Trails ''Stormy Trails'' is a 1936 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Phil Dunham. It is based on the 1934 novel ''Stampede'' by E.B. Mann. The film stars Rex Bell, Bob Terry, Lois Wilde, Lane Chandler, Earl Dwire and Lloyd ...

'' (1936) *''

West of Nevada ''West of Nevada'' is a 1936 American Western film directed by Robert F. Hill and starring Rex Bell, Joan Barclay and Al St. John. Plot Cast * Rex Bell as Jim Carden, posing as Jim Lloyd * Joan Barclay as Helen Haldain * Al St. John as Wa ...

'' (1936) *'' Men of the Plains'' (1936) *'' Death Rides the Range'' (1939) *'' Flaming Lead'' (1939) *''

Lightning Strikes West ''Lightning Strikes West'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by Harry L. Fraser and written by Martha Chapin. The film stars Ken Maynard, Claire Rochelle, Bob Terry, Michael Vallon, Charles King and Reed Howes. The film was released on ...

'' (1940) *''

'' (1940)

Beacon Productions

*''

'' (1934) *'' Thunder Over Texas'' (1934) *'' Ticket to a Crime'' (1934) *''

I Can't Escape ''I Can't Escape'' is a 1934 American film directed by Otto Brower. The film is also known as ''The Magic Vault'' (American alternative title). Cast *Onslow Stevens as Steve Nichols, alias Steve Cummings *Lila Lee as Mae Nichols *Russell Glea ...

'' (1934) *'' The Fire Trap'' (1935) *''

What Price Crime ''What Price Crime'' or ''What Price Crime?'' is a 1935 American crime film directed by Albert Herman and starring Charles Starrett, Noel Madison and Virginia Cherrill.Pitts p.57 Cast * Charles Starrett as Allen Grey * Noel Madison as Douglas W ...

'' (1935)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, Arthur 1909 births 1989 deaths American film producers 20th-century American businesspeople German emigrants to the United States