William Taylor "Tay" Garnett (June 13, 1894 – October 3, 1977) was an American film director and writer.

Biography

Early life

Born in Los Angeles, Garnett attended the

Massachusetts Institute of Technology The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private land-grant research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Established in 1861, MIT has played a key role in the development of modern technology and science, and is one of the ...

and served as a naval aviator in World War I.

Mack Sennett

He entered the film industry as a screenwriter in 1920, writing for

Mack Sennett Mack Sennett (born Michael Sinnott; January 17, 1880 – November 5, 1960) was a Canadian-American film actor, director, and producer, and studio head, known as the 'King of Comedy'. Born in Danville, Quebec, in 1880, he started in films in the ...

. His credits included ''The Quack Doctor'' (1920). He wrote the feature '' Broken Chains'' (1922) for

Sam Goldwyn Samuel Goldwyn (born Szmuel Gelbfisz; yi, שמואל געלבפֿיש; August 27, 1882 (claimed) January 31, 1974), also known as Samuel Goldfish, was a Polish-born American film producer. He was best known for being the founding contributor a ...

and ''

The Hottentot ''The Hottentot'' is a lost 1929 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Roy Del Ruth and starring Edward Everett Horton and Patsy Ruth Miller. It is based on the 1920 Broadway play ''The Hottentot'' by William Collier, Sr. and Victor Mape ...

'' (1920) for Thomas Ince.

Comedy shorts

Garnett went to work for Hal Roach for whom he wrote ''Don't Park There'' (1924). He did some with

Stan Laurel Stan Laurel (born Arthur Stanley Jefferson; 16 June 1890 – 23 February 1965) was an English comic actor, writer, and film director who was one half of the comedy double act, duo Laurel and Hardy. He appeared with his comedy partner Oliver Ha ...

: ''A Mandarin Mixup'' (1924), and '' Detained'' (1924). He wrote ''Galloping Bungalows'' (1924) for Billy Bevan and Mac Sennett, ''Off His Trolley'' (1924) for Sennett, '' West of Hot Dog'' (1924) with

Laurel and Hardy Laurel and Hardy were a British-American Double act, comedy duo act during the early Classical Hollywood cinema, Classical Hollywood era of American cinema, consisting of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–19 ...

, and ''The Plumber'' (1924) for Sennett. Garnett directed some shorts, such as ''Fast Black'' (1924), ''Riders of the Kitchen Range'' (1925), and ''All Wool'' (1925). He wrote the comedy shorts ''Honeymoon Hardships'' (1925), ''

Somewhere in Wrong ''Somewhere in Wrong'' is a 1925 American film starring Stan Laurel. Cast * Stan Laurel as A Tramp * Max Asher as A Tramp * Julie Leonard as The Farmer's Daughter * Charles King as A Suitor * Pete the Dog (as Pete the Pup) See also * List of ...

'' (1925) with Laurel, ''

Twins Twins are two offspring produced by the same pregnancy.MedicineNet > Definition of TwinLast Editorial Review: 19 June 2000 Twins can be either ''monozygotic'' ('identical'), meaning that they develop from one zygote, which splits and forms two em ...

'' (1925) with Laurel, ''

Pie-Eyed ''Pie-Eyed'' is a 1925 American silent comedy film starring Stan Laurel. The film is made at the peak of the Prohibition era so is dealing with "illegal activity" even if it is in a humorous manner. The club owner appears a mix of Gene Tunney ...

'' (1925) with Laurel, ''

The Snow Hawk ''The Snow Hawk'' is a 1925 film directed by Scott Pembroke and Joe Rock and starring Stan Laurel. Cast * Stan Laurel - Mountie * Glen Cavender - Midnight Mike * Julie Leonard - Storekeeper's daughter See also * List of American films of 192 ...

'' (1925) with Laurel, ''

Navy Blue Days ''Navy Blue Days'' is a 1925 American film starring Stan Laurel. Cast * Stan Laurel as Stan * Julie Leonard as Grenadine * Glen Cavender as Pete Vermicelli See also * List of American films of 1925 * Stan Laurel filmography This is a list of f ...

'' (1925) with Laurel, ''Hold Tight'' (1925), '' The Sleuth'' (1925) with Laurel, ''

Dr. Pyckle and Mr. Pryde ''Dr. Pyckle and Mr. Pryde'' is a 1925 American silent, black-and-white comedy film, directed by Scott Pembroke and Joe Rock (also the producer). The film itself is both a spoof of the previous Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde films (e.g. ''Dr. Jekyl ...

'' (1925) with Laurel, ''No Sleep on the Deep'' (1925), ''Three Wise Goofs'', ''Salute'' (1925), ''On the Links'' (1925), ''Who's Your Friend'' (1925), ''The Funnymooners'' (1926), ''Puppy Lovetime'' (1926), ''Smith's Visitor'' (1926), and ''A Beauty Parlor'' (1926).

Screenwriting features

Garnett wrote the feature '' That's My Baby'' (1926) for

William Beaudine William Washington Beaudine (January 15, 1892 – March 18, 1970) was an American film actor and director. He was one of Hollywood's most prolific directors, turning out films in remarkable numbers and in a wide variety of genres. Life and car ...

at Paramount; '' Up in Mabel's Room'' (1926), adapting a stage farce, with

Marie Prevost Marie Prevost (born Marie Bickford Dunn; November 8, 1896 – January 21, 1937) was a Canadian-born film actress. During her 20-year career, she made 121 silent and sound films. Prevost began her career during the silent film era. She was d ...

; ''

The Strong Man ''The Strong Man'' is a 1926 American silent comedy film starring Harry Langdon. Along with ''Tramp, Tramp, Tramp'', ''The Strong Man'' is Langdon's best known film. Capra would also direct Langdon's next feature, '' Long Pants'' (1927), which ...

'' (1926), starring

Harry Langdon Harry Philmore Langdon (June 15, 1884 – December 22, 1944) was an American comedian who appeared in vaudeville, silent films (where he had his greatest fame), and talkies.Obituary ''Variety'', December 27, 1944, page 39. Life and career Bor ...

and directed by

Frank Capra Frank Russell Capra (born Francesco Rosario Capra; May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991) was an Italian-born American film director, producer and writer who became the creative force behind some of the major award-winning films of the 1930s ...

, his first feature as director; and '' There You Are!'' (1926), with

Conrad Nagel John Conrad Nagel (March 16, 1897 – February 24, 1970) was an American film, stage, television and radio actor. He was considered a famous matinée idol and leading man of the 1920s and 1930s. He was given an Academy Honorary Award in 1940 and ...

. Garnett wrote two films produced by

Cecil B. De Mille Cecil Blount DeMille (; August 12, 1881January 21, 1959) was an American film director, producer and actor. Between 1914 and 1958, he made 70 features, both silent and sound films. He is acknowledged as a founding father of the American cine ...

: '' The Cruise of the Jasper B '' (1926), and ''

Rubber Tires A tire (American English) or tyre (British English) is a ring-shaped component that surrounds a wheel's rim to transfer a vehicle's load from the axle through the wheel to the ground and to provide traction on the surface over which t ...

'' (1927). He adapted another stage farce with Marie Prevost, '' Getting Gertie's Garter'' (1927), and also wrote ''

White Gold Pure gold is slightly reddish yellow in color, but colored gold in various other colors can be produced by alloying gold with other elements. Colored golds can be classified in three groups: * Alloys with silver and copper in various proportions ...

'' (1927), ''

Long Pants ''Long Pants'' (also known as ''Johnny Newcomer'') is a 1927 American silent comedy film directed by Frank Capra and starring Harry Langdon. Additional cast members include Gladys Brockwell, Alan Roscoe, and Priscilla Bonner. Plot The silent ...

'' (1927) for Capra and Langdon, ''No Control'' (1927), ''

The Wise Wife ''The Wise Wife'' is a 1927 American silent comedy film directed by E. Mason Hopper and starring Phyllis Haver, Tom Moore and Jacqueline Logan.Goble p.394 The film's sets were designed by the art director Mitchell Leisen. The costumes were ...

'' (1927). He did two for De Mille, ''

Turkish Delight Turkish delight or lokum ( ota, لوقوم) is a family of confections based on a gel of starch and sugar. Premium varieties consist largely of chopped dates, pistachios, hazelnuts or walnuts bound by the gel; traditional varieties are often f ...

'' (1927) and ''

Skyscraper A skyscraper is a tall continuously habitable building having multiple floors. Modern sources currently define skyscrapers as being at least or in height, though there is no universally accepted definition. Skyscrapers are very tall high-ris ...

'' (1928), and two starring William Boyd, '' The Cop'' (1928), and ''

Power Power most often refers to: * Power (physics), meaning "rate of doing work" ** Engine power, the power put out by an engine ** Electric power * Power (social and political), the ability to influence people or events ** Abusive power Power may a ...

'' (1928). He joined

Pathé Pathé or Pathé Frères (, styled as PATHÉ!) is the name of various French people, French businesses that were founded and originally run by the Pathé Brothers of France starting in 1896. In the early 1900s, Pathé became the world's largest ...

Pathe/RKO

Garnett's first feature as director was ''

Celebrity Celebrity is a condition of fame and broad public recognition of a person or group as a result of the attention given to them by mass media. An individual may attain a celebrity status from having great wealth, their participation in sports ...

'' (1928), which he also co wrote. He directed and wrote ''The Spellbinker'' (1928), '' The Flying Fool'' (1929) with William Boyd, ''No Brakes'' (1929), and '' Her Man'' (1930) with

Helen Twelvetrees Helen Marie Twelvetrees ( Jurgens; December 25, 1908 – February 13, 1958) was an American actress. She starred in Hollywood films in the sound film era from 1929 to 1939. Many of her roles were of "suffering women". She has a star on the Holly ...

. He just directed ''Officer O'Brien'' (1930). Pathe merged into RKO and Garnett went there. He wrote and directed ''

Bad Company Bad Company are an English rock supergroup that was formed in 1973 by singer Paul Rodgers, guitarist Mick Ralphs, drummer Simon Kirke and bassist Boz Burrell.Bad Company ''AllMusic'' Peter Grant, who managed the rock band Led Zeppelin, also ...

'' (1931) with Twelvetrees, and ''Prestige'' (1931), and just directed '' Panama Flo'' (1932) with Twelvetrees.

Universal

He went to Universal to make '' The Penalty of Fame'' (1932). Garnett had a big success at Warner Bros with ''

One Way Passage ''One Way Passage'' is a 1932 American pre-Code romantic film starring William Powell and Kay Francis as star-crossed lovers, directed by Tay Garnett and released by Warner Bros. The screenplay by Robert Lord won the Academy Award for Best St ...

'' (1932). At Universal he did '' Destination Unknown'' (1933), and the English version of ''

S.O.S. Iceberg ''S.O.S. Eisberg'' (aka ''S.O.S. Iceberg'' and ''Iceland'') is a 1933 German-US pre-Code drama film directed by Arnold Fanck and starring Gustav Diessl, Leni Riefenstahl, Sepp Rist, Gibson Gowland, Rod La Rocque, and Ernst Udet. The film was writ ...

'' (1933). Garnett went to MGM where he had a huge success with ''

China Seas The China Seas consist of a series of marginal seas in the Western Pacific Ocean, around China. They are the major components signifying the transition from the continent of Asia to the Pacific Ocean.Pinxian Wang, Qianyu Li, Chun-Feng Li, ''Geolog ...

'' (1935). He did ''

She Couldn't Take It ''She Couldn't Take It'' is a 1935 screwball comedy film made at Columbia Pictures, directed by Tay Garnett, written by C. Graham Baker, Gene Towne and Oliver H.P. Garrett, and starring George Raft and Joan Bennett. It was one of the few comedi ...

'' (1935) at Columbia. In 1935 he announced his own production company. He took off around the world on a cruise to shoot footage for it. He returned in October 1936.

20th Century Fox

Garnett signed with Fox where he made ''

Professional Soldier ''Professional Soldier'' is a 1935 adventure film based on a 1931 story by Damon Runyon, "Gentlemen, the King!" It stars Victor McLaglen and Freddie Bartholomew. The film was directed by Tay Garnett, and produced by Twentieth Century Fox. A sold ...

'' (1936), '' Love Is News'' (1937), and ''

Slave Ship Slave ships were large cargo ships specially built or converted from the 17th to the 19th century for transporting slaves. Such ships were also known as "Guineamen" because the trade involved human trafficking to and from the Guinea coast ...

'' (1937). He did ''

Stand-In A stand-in for film and television is a person who substitutes for the actor before filming, for technical purposes such as lighting and camera setup. Stand-ins are helpful in the initial processes of film and television production. Stand-ins a ...

'' (1937) for Walter Wagner.

Producing

Garnet turned producer as well as director with ''

Joy of Living ''Joy of Living'' is a 1938 American musical comedy film directed by Tay Garnett and starring Irene Dunne and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. with supporting performances from Alice Brady, Guy Kibbee, Jean Dixon, Eric Blore and Lucille Ball. It features ...

'' (1938) at RKO. He produced and directed then three films of Wanger: ''

Trade Winds The trade winds or easterlies are the permanent east-to-west prevailing winds that flow in the Earth's equatorial region. The trade winds blow mainly from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisph ...

'' (1938) (based on his story), '' Eternally Yours'' (1939), and '' Slightly Honorable'' (1939). He provided a story for ''

Cafe Hostess ''Cafe Hostess'' is a 1940 American crime film directed by Sidney Salkow and starring Preston Foster and Ann Dvorak. The screenplay was written by Harold Shumate, based on a story by Tay Garnett and Howard Higgin. Prior to filming the studio had ...

'' (1940), at Columbia. At Universal he directed '' Seven Sinners'' (1940) with

Marlene Dietrich Marie Magdalene "Marlene" DietrichBorn as Maria Magdalena, not Marie Magdalene, according to Dietrich's biography by her daughter, Maria Riva ; however Dietrich's biography by Charlotte Chandler cites "Marie Magdalene" as her birth name . (, ; ...

and

John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne and nicknamed The Duke or Duke Wayne, was an American actor who became a popular icon through his starring roles in films made during Hollywood's Gol ...

. He produced but did not direct two films at RKO, ''

Unexpected Uncle ''Unexpected Uncle'' is a 1941 American comedy-drama film directed by Peter Godfrey and starring Charles Coburn, Anne Shirley, and James Craig. Cast *Anne Shirley as Kathleen Brown * James Craig as Johnny Kerrigan *Charles Coburn as Alfred Cr ...

'' (1941) and ''

Weekend for Three ''Week-End for Three'' is a 1941 comedy film directed by Irving Reis and starring Dennis O'Keefe and Jane Wyatt. Cast *Dennis O'Keefe as Jim Craig *Jane Wyatt as Ellen *Phillip Reed as Randy *Edward Everett Horton as Stonebraker *ZaSu Pitts as An ...

'' (1941). He directed ''

Cheers for Miss Bishop ''Cheers for Miss Bishop'' is a 1941 American drama film based on the novel ''Miss Bishop'' by Bess Streeter Aldrich. It was directed by Tay Garnett and stars Martha Scott in the title role. The other cast members include William Gargan, Edmund ...

'' (1941) at UA, '' My Favorite Spy'' (1942) at RKO, and ''

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 ...

'' (1942) at Columbia.

Radio

He created the

NBC Red The NBC, National Broadcasting Company's NBC Radio Network (known as the NBC Red Network prior to 1942) was an American commercial radio network which was in operation from 1926 through 2004. Along with the Blue Network, NBC Blue Network it was ...

comedy-detective radio program ''Three Sheets to the Wind'' (1942), which starred John Wayne as Dan O'Brien, an American private eye posing as a drunk on a luxury liner sailing from England in 1939, and Helga Moray, which ran for six months at 11:30pm Sunday nights. The show was intended by Garnett to be the pilot for a film, though the film was never made. A demonstration episode of the radio show with

Brian Donlevy Waldo Brian Donlevy (February 9, 1901 – April 6, 1972) was an American actor, noted for playing dangerous tough guys from the 1930s to the 1960s. He usually appeared in supporting roles. Among his best-known films are '' Beau Geste'' (19 ...

in the leading role exists. Wayne, not Donlevy, played the role throughout the series run on

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters are l ...

MGM

Garnett went to MGM where he directed ''

The Cross of Lorraine ''The Cross of Lorraine'' is a 1943 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer war film about French prisoners of war escaping a German prison camp and joining the French Resistance. Directed by Tay Garnett, starring Jean-Pierre Aumont and Gene Kelly, was partly base ...

'' (1943), and ''

Bataan Bataan (), officially the Province of Bataan ( fil, Lalawigan ng Bataan ), is a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. Its capital is the city of Balanga while Mariveles is the largest town in the province. Occupying the enti ...

'' (1943). He did some second unit directing on ''

Since You Went Away ''Since You Went Away'' is a 1944 American epic drama film directed by John Cromwell for Selznick International Pictures and distributed by United Artists. It is an epic about the American home front during World War II that was adapted and pr ...

'' (1944) and uncredited directing on ''

See Here, Private Hargrove ''See Here, Private Hargrove'' (1942) is a book by Marion Hargrove, about his experiences in U.S. Army basic training. Origin The author, a North Carolina native, was a correspondent for ''The Charlotte News'' prior to World War II. After he wa ...

'' (1944). Garnett had some big hits with two

Greer Garson Eileen Evelyn Greer Garson (29 September 1904 – 6 April 1996) was an English-American actress and singer. She was a major star at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer who became popular during the Second World War for her portrayal of strong women on the hom ...

films, ''

Mrs. Parkington ''Mrs. Parkington'' is a 1944 drama film. It tells the story of a woman's life, told via flashbacks, from boarding house maid to society matron. The movie was adapted by Polly James and Robert Thoeren from the novel by Louis Bromfield. It was ...

'' (1944), ''

The Valley of Decision ''The Valley of Decision'' is a 1945 film directed by Tay Garnett, based on Marcia Davenport's 1942 novel of the same name. Set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1870s, it stars Greer Garson and Gregory Peck. It tells the story of a young Iri ...

'' (1945), then made '' The Postman Always Rings Twice'' (1946), starring

John Garfield John Garfield (born Jacob Julius Garfinkle, March 4, 1913 – May 21, 1952) was an American actor who played brooding, rebellious, working-class characters. He grew up in poverty in New York City. In the early 1930s, he became a member of ...

and

Lana Turner Lana Turner ( ; born Julia Jean Turner; February 8, 1921June 29, 1995) was an American actress. Over the course of her nearly 50-year career, she achieved fame as both a pin-up model and a film actress, as well as for her highly publicized per ...

, which is probably his best known film.

Paramount and Howard Hughes

Garnett went to Paramount where he made ''

Wild Harvest ''Wild Harvest'' is a 1947 film directed by Tay Garnett and starring Alan Ladd and Dorothy Lamour. Plot Joe Madigan's crew harvests wheat for farmers. Jim Davis, a good mechanic who irresponsibly drinks and gambles too much, is fired by his frie ...

'' (1947), ''

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court ''A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court'' is an 1889 novel by American humorist and writer Mark Twain. The book was originally titled ''A Yankee in King Arthur's Court''. Some early editions are titled ''A Yankee at the Court of King Arth ...

'' (1949), starring

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 ...

and

Rhonda Fleming Rhonda Fleming (born Marilyn Louis; August 10, 1923 – October 14, 2020) was an American film and television actress and singer. She acted in more than 40 films, mostly in the 1940s and 1950s, and became renowned as one of the most glamoro ...

. He wrote and directed a

Mickey Rooney Mickey Rooney (born Joseph Yule Jr.; other pseudonym Mickey Maguire; September 23, 1920 – April 6, 2014) was an American actor. In a career spanning nine decades, he appeared in more than 300 films and was among the last surviving stars of the ...

film, ''

The Fireball ''The Fireball'' is a 1950 American drama film starring Mickey Rooney and Pat O'Brien, and directed by Tay Garnett. The cast also includes Beverly Tyler and the eighth screen appearance of Marilyn Monroe. The film, released by 20th Century Fox ...

'' (1950), based on his story. He went back to MGM to direct one of

Loretta Young Loretta Young (born Gretchen Young; January 6, 1913 – August 12, 2000) was an American actress. Starting as a child, she had a long and varied career in film from 1917 to 1953. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the fil ...

's last theatrical films, ''

Cause for Alarm! ''Cause for Alarm!'' is a 1951 melodrama suspense film directed by Tay Garnett, written by Mel Dinelli and Tom Lewis, based on a story by Larry Marcus. Ellen (Loretta Young) narrates the tale of "the most terrifying day of my life", how she wa ...

'', in 1951, and the adventure film ''

Soldiers Three ''Soldiers Three'' is a collection of short stories by Rudyard Kipling. The three soldiers of the title are Learoyd, Mulvaney and Ortheris, who had also appeared previously in the collection '' Plain Tales from the Hills''. The current version, ...

'' (1951). Garnett went to RKO, then under the ownership of

Howard Hughes Howard Robard Hughes Jr. (December 24, 1905 – April 5, 1976) was an American business magnate, record-setting pilot, engineer, film producer, and philanthropist, known during his lifetime as one of the most influential and richest people in th ...

to do some directing on '' The Racket'' (1951) and ''

One Minute to Zero ''One Minute to Zero'' is a 1952 American romantic war film starring Robert Mitchum and Ann Blyth, set during the opening phases of the Korean War, and produced by Howard Hughes as his last film as producer. Victor Young's score for the film inc ...

'' (1952). He began working in TV with '' Four Star Theatre'' and made ''

Main Street to Broadway ''Main Street to Broadway'' is a 1953 American romantic musical comedy-drama film by independent producer Lester Cowan, his final credit, in collaboration with The Council of the Living Theatre, which provided tie-up with a number of well-known ...

'' (1953).

England

Garnett travelled to England to make '' The Black Knight'' (1954) with Alan Ladd. He worked on the hugely popular documentary ''

Seven Wonders of the World Various lists of the Wonders of the World have been compiled from antiquity to the present day, in order to catalogue the world's most spectacular natural features and human-built structures. The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is the o ...

'' (1956).

Television

Garnett returned to the US and worked increasingly on television, directing such shows as ''

Screen Directors Playhouse ''Screen Directors Playhouse'' (sometimes written as ''Screen Directors' Playhouse'') is an American radio and television anthology series which brought leading Hollywood actors to the NBC microphones beginning in 1949. The radio program broadcas ...

'' (for which he also provided some stories), ''

Alcoa Theatre ''Alcoa Theatre'' is a half-hour American anthology series telecast on NBC at 9:30 pm on Monday nights from September 30, 1957 to May 23, 1960. The program also aired under the title ''Turn of Fate''. ''Alcoa Theatre'' was syndicated together ...

'', ''

Goodyear Theatre ''Goodyear Theatre'' (also known as ''Award Theatre'' and ''Golden Years of Television'') is a 30-minute dramatic television anthology series telecast on NBC from 1957 to 1960 for a total of 55 episodes. The live show was directed by many notable ...

'', ''

The Loretta Young Show ''The Loretta Young Show'' (originally known as ''Letter to Loretta'') is an American anthology drama television series broadcast on Sunday nights from September 2, 1953, to June 4, 1961, on NBC for a total of 165 episodes. The series was hosted ...

'', ''

The Untouchables Untouchables or The Untouchables may refer to: American history * Untouchables (law enforcement), a 1930s American law enforcement unit led by Eliot Ness * ''The Untouchables'' (book), an autobiography by Eliot Ness and Oscar Fraley * ''The U ...

'', and ''

Overland Trail The Overland Trail (also known as the Overland Stage Line) was a stagecoach and wagon trail in the American West during the 19th century. While portions of the route had been used by explorers and trappers since the 1820s, the Overland Trail w ...

''. He directed a feature in Ireland, '' A Terrible Beauty'' (1960), with

Robert Mitchum Robert Charles Durman Mitchum (August 6, 1917 – July 1, 1997) was an American actor. He rose to prominence with an Academy Award nomination for the Best Supporting Actor for ''The Story of G.I. Joe'' (1945), followed by his starring in ...

, then went back to TV: ''

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 ...

'', ''

Riverboat A riverboat is a watercraft designed for inland navigation on lakes, rivers, and artificial waterways. They are generally equipped and outfitted as work boats in one of the carrying trades, for freight or people transport, including luxury un ...

'', ''

The New Loretta Young Show ''The Loretta Young Show'' (originally known as ''Letter to Loretta'') is an American anthology drama television series broadcast on Sunday nights from September 2, 1953, to June 4, 1961, on NBC for a total of 165 episodes. The series was hosted ...

'', ''

Frontier Circus ''Frontier Circus'' is an American Western television series about a traveling circus roaming the American West in the 1880s. Filmed by Revue Productions, the program originally aired on CBS from October 5, 1961 until September 6, 1962. Overview T ...

'', '' Laramie'', '' Naked City'', ''

The Deputy ''The Deputy, a Christian tragedy'' (German: ''Der Stellvertreter. Ein christliches Trauerspiel''), also published in English as ''The Representative '', is a controversial 1963 play by Rolf Hochhuth which portrayed Pope Pius XII as having failed ...

'', ''

Whispering Smith ''Whispering Smith'' is a 1948 American Western film directed by Leslie Fenton and starring Alan Ladd as a railroad detective assigned to stop a gang of train robbers. The supporting cast includes Robert Preston, Brenda Marshall and Donald C ...

'', ''

87th Precinct The 87th Precinct is a series of police procedural novels and stories by American author Ed McBain (a writing pseudonym of Evan Hunter). McBain's 87th Precinct works have been adapted, sometimes loosely, into movies and television on several o ...

'', '' The Tall Man'', '' Rawhide'', ''

Please Don't Eat the Daisies ''Please Don't Eat the Daisies'' (New York: Doubleday, 1957) is a best-selling collection of humorous essays by American humorist and playwright Jean Kerr about suburban living and raising four boys. The essays do not have a plot or through-sto ...

'', ''

Death Valley Days ''Death Valley Days'' is an American old-time radio and television anthology series featuring true accounts of the American Old West, particularly the Death Valley country of southeastern California. Created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman, the program ...

'', '' The Beachcomber'', ''

Bonanza ''Bonanza'' is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 13, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 432 episodes, ''Bonanza'' is NBC's longest-running western, the second-longest-running western series on U ...

'', '' The Loner'', ''

The Legend of Jesse James ''The Legend of Jesse James'' is a 1980 country music concept album written by English songwriter Paul Kennerley, based on the story of American Old West outlaw Jesse James. The album features Levon Helm singing the role of Jesse James, Jo ...

'', and ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central character ...

''. He directed a feature, '' Guns of Wyoming'' (1963), with Robert Taylor. He also did some government films.

Later career

Garnett wrote, produced and directed '' The Delta Factor'' (1970). His last two films were ''

Challenge to Be Free ''Challenge to Be Free'' (a.k.a. ''Mad Trapper of the Yukon'' and ''Mad Trapper'') is an anti-hero film directed by Tay Garnett and starring Mike Mazurki. The film's plot was a loosely based on the 1931 Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) purs ...

'' (1975) and ''

Timber Tramps ''Timber Tramps'' is a 1975 film directed by Tay Garnett and starring Claude Akins and Leon Ames. It was the final film by Garnett. Cast *Claude Akins as Matt *Leon Ames as Deacon *Eve Brent as Corey *Joseph Cotten as Greedy sawmill mogul *Cesar ...

'' (1975).

Private life

Garnett married three actresses. First was

Patsy Ruth Miller Patsy Ruth Miller (born Patricia Ruth Miller; January 17, 1904 – July 16, 1995) was an American film actress who played Esméralda in ''The Hunchback of Notre Dame'' (1923) opposite Lon Chaney. Early years Miller was born and raised in St. ...

in Los Angeles on 8 September 1929. She filed for divorce which was granted 18 September 1933 on grounds of desertion while she was in

Vienna en, Viennese , iso_code = AT-9 , registration_plate = W , postal_code_type = Postal code , postal_code = , timezone = CET , utc_offset = +1 , timezone_DST ...

, Austria and Garnett in London, England. While in London, Garnett met South African author Helga Moray whom he married on his yacht in November 1934. They had a second ceremony on 31 March 1935 in

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 ...

to safeguard her American citizenship. Six months after their son, William John "Bill" Garnett was born, Moray filed for divorce on grounds of cruelty in 1942. Garnett then married

Mari Aldon Mari Aldon (born Marija Aldona Pauliutė; 17 November 1925 – 31 October 2004) was a Lithuanian-born American actress. Early life Mari Aldon was born in Tauragė, Lithuania. Her father Antanas Paulius was a policeman, mother Antanina (Antos� ...

in London, England on 13 August 1953. Their daughter Tiela Aldon Garnett Daniels was born in Los Angeles on 25 October 1955.

Death

He died of

leukemia Leukemia ( also spelled leukaemia and pronounced ) is a group of blood cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow and result in high numbers of abnormal blood cells. These blood cells are not fully developed and are called ''blasts'' or ' ...

at the Wadsworth Veterans Administration Hospital in

Sawtelle, California Sawtelle is a district in the Westside of the city of Los Angeles, California, partially within the West Los Angeles subregion. It was established in 1899 and named after a manager of the Pacific Land Company who was initially responsible fo ...

, at the age of 83. His ashes were scattered on his

Paso Robles Paso Robles ( ), officially El Paso de Robles (Spanish for "The Pass of Oaks"), is a city in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States. Located on the Salinas River approximately north of San Luis Obispo, the city is known for its hot ...

ranch. He was survived by his two children. He has a star on 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 ...

Filmography

Writer

* '' Broken Chains'' (1922) * ''

'' (1922) * '' Who's Your Friend'' (1925) * '' That's My Baby'' (1926) * '' Up in Mabel's Room'' (1926) * ''

'' (1926) * '' There You Are!'' (1926) * ''

The Cruise of the Jasper B ''Cruise of the Jasper B'' is a 1926 American silent action/adventure comedy film produced by Cecil B. DeMille and directed by James W. Horne. The film is loosely based on the 1916 novel of the same name by American poet Don Marquis, although ...

'' (1926) * ''

'' (1927) * '' Getting Gertie's Garter'' (1927) * ''

'' (1927) * ''

'' (1927) * '' No Control'' (1927) * ''

'' (1927) * ''

'' (1928) * '' The Cop'' (1928) * ''

'' (1928) * ''

The Spieler ''The Spieler'' is a 1928 American drama film directed by Tay Garnett and starring Alan Hale, Clyde Cook and Renée Adorée.Munden p.756 It was released as a part-talkie, during the transition from silent to sound film. The film's sets were d ...

'' (1928) * '' The Flying Fool'' (1929)

Director

* ''

'' (1928) * ''

'' (1928) * '' The Flying Fool'' (1929) * '' Oh, Yeah!'' (1929) * ''

Officer O'Brien ''Officer O'Brien'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy crime film directed by Tay Garnett and starring William Boyd, Ernest Torrence and Dorothy Sebastian. The film's sets were designed by the art director Edward C. Jewell.Munden p.557 It was ...

'' (1930) * '' Her Man'' (1930) * ''

'' (1931) * ''

Prestige Prestige refers to a good reputation or high esteem; in earlier usage, ''prestige'' meant "showiness". (19th c.) Prestige may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Films * ''Prestige'' (film), a 1932 American film directed by Tay Garnet ...

'' (1932) * '' Panama Flo'' (1932, uncredited) * ''

Okay, America! ''Okay, America!'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code film, about a gossip columnist's rise to fame, based closely on the real life of Walter Winchell. Cast * Lew Ayres as Larry Wayne * Maureen O'Sullivan as Sheila Barton * Louis Calhern as Mileawa ...

'' (1932) * ''

'' (1932) * '' Destination Unknown'' (1933) * ''

'' (1933) * ''

'' (1935) * ''

'' (1935) * '' Love Is News'' (1937) * ''

'' (1937) * ''

'' (1938) * ''

'' (1938) * '' Eternally Yours'' (1939) * '' Slightly Honorable'' (1939) * '' Seven Sinners'' (1940) * ''

'' (1941) * '' My Favorite Spy'' (1942) * ''

'' (1943, uncredited) * ''

'' (1943) * ''

'' (1944, uncredited) * ''

'' (1944) * ''

'' (1945) * '' The Postman Always Rings Twice'' (1946) * ''

'' (1947) * ''

'' (1949) * ''

'' (1950) * ''

'' (1951) * ''

'' (1951) * '' The Racket'' (1951, uncredited) * ''

'' (1952) * ''

'' (1953) * '' The Black Knight'' (1954) * ''

'' (1956, documentary) * '' A Terrible Beauty'' (1960) * '' Cattle King'' (1963) * '' The Delta Factor'' (1970) * ''

'' (1975) * ''

'' (1975)

Works

* *

References

External links

*
Family Photo Album
– Tiela Aldon Garnett Daniels {{DEFAULTSORT:Garnett, Tay 1894 births 1977 deaths 20th-century American male writers 20th-century American screenwriters American male screenwriters American military personnel of World War I American television directors Deaths from cancer in California Deaths from leukemia Film directors from Los Angeles German-language film directors Screenwriters from California United States Naval Aviators Writers from Los Angeles