George Sidney

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia George Sidney (October 4, 1916 – May 5, 2002) was an American film director and film producer who worked primarily at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Sidney was assigned to direct the Our Gang comedies in 1938. After a year of working on these shorts, he moved on to the Crime Does Not Pay series and popular Pete Smith specialties. He graduated to directing features in 1941. He then worked his way into directing large scale musicals such as The Harvey Girls (1946), The Three Musketeers (1948), Annie Get Your Gun (1950), and Kiss Me Kate (1953). Sidney left MGM to make The Eddy Duchin Story (1956) at Columbia Pictures, where he made his base for the next decade for such films as Jeanne Eagels (1957), Pal Joey (1957), Who Was That Lady? (1960), Pepe (1960), and Bye Bye Birdie (1963). He would return to MGM to film A Ticklish Affair (1963) and Elvis Presley's Viva Las Vegas (1964). His last film was Half a Sixpence (1967). Sidney was nominated for the Directors Guild of America Award four times, starting with the lush Technicolor remake of Show Boat. In 1958 he was presented with a Golden Globe Award for Best World Entertainment through Musical Films. For his work in the art of cinema, George Sidney was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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Anchors Aweigh (1945)

Two sailors, Joe and Clarence have four days shore leave in spend their shore leave trying to get a girl for Clarence. Clarence has his eye on a girl with musical aspirations, and before Joe can stop him, promises to get her an audition with José Iturbi. But the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Frank Sinatra  •  Kathryn Grayson  •  Gene Kelly  •  José Iturbi

Two sailors, Joe and Clarence have four days shore leave in spend their shore leave trying to get a girl for Clarence. Clarence has his eye on a girl with musical aspirations, and before Joe can stop him, promises to get her an audition with José Iturbi. But the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Frank Sinatra  •  Kathryn Grayson  •  Gene Kelly  •  José Iturbi

Pepe (1960)

Mario "Cantinflas" Moreno is a hired hand, Pepe, employed on a ranch. A boozing Hollywood director buys a white stallion that belongs to Pepe's boss. Pepe, determined to get the horse back (as he considers it his family), decides to take off to Hollywood. There he ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Cantinflas  •  Shirley Jones  •  Dan Dailey  •  Bing Crosby

Mario "Cantinflas" Moreno is a hired hand, Pepe, employed on a ranch. A boozing Hollywood director buys a white stallion that belongs to Pepe's boss. Pepe, determined to get the horse back (as he considers it his family), decides to take off to Hollywood. There he ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Cantinflas  •  Shirley Jones  •  Dan Dailey  •  Bing Crosby

Scaramouche (1952)

In 18th-century France, a young man masquerades as an actor to avenge his friend's murder.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Stewart Granger  •  Eleanor Parker  •  Janet Leigh  •  Mel Ferrer

In 18th-century France, a young man masquerades as an actor to avenge his friend's murder.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Stewart Granger  •  Eleanor Parker  •  Janet Leigh  •  Mel Ferrer

Viva Las Vegas (1964)

Lucky Jackson arrives in town with his car literally in tow ready for the first Las Vegas Grand Prix - once he has the money to buy an engine. He gets the cash easily enough but mislays it when the pretty swimming pool manageress takes his mind off things. It seems ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Elvis Presley  •  Ann-Margret  •  William Demarest  •  Nicky Blair

Lucky Jackson arrives in town with his car literally in tow ready for the first Las Vegas Grand Prix - once he has the money to buy an engine. He gets the cash easily enough but mislays it when the pretty swimming pool manageress takes his mind off things. It seems ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Elvis Presley  •  Ann-Margret  •  William Demarest  •  Nicky Blair

Ziegfeld Follies (1945)

The late, great impresario Florenz Ziegfeld looks down from heaven and ordains a new revue in his grand old style.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Vincente Minnelli  •  George Sidney  •  Robert Lewis  •  Roy Del Ruth  •  Lemuel Ayers
CAST:  William Powell  •  Judy Garland  •  Lucille Ball  •  Fred Astaire

The late, great impresario Florenz Ziegfeld looks down from heaven and ordains a new revue in his grand old style.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Vincente Minnelli  •  George Sidney  •  Robert Lewis  •  Roy Del Ruth  •  Lemuel Ayers
CAST:  William Powell  •  Judy Garland  •  Lucille Ball  •  Fred Astaire

Young Bess (1953)

The mother died under the executioner's axe; the daughter rose to become England's greatest monarch -- the brilliant and cunning Queen Elizabeth I. Jean Simmons portrays young Bess in this rich tapestry of a film that traces the tumultuous, danger-fraught years ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Jean Simmons  •  Stewart Granger  •  Deborah Kerr  •  Charles Laughton

The mother died under the executioner's axe; the daughter rose to become England's greatest monarch -- the brilliant and cunning Queen Elizabeth I. Jean Simmons portrays young Bess in this rich tapestry of a film that traces the tumultuous, danger-fraught years ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Jean Simmons  •  Stewart Granger  •  Deborah Kerr  •  Charles Laughton

The Harvey Girls (1946)

CharmingClassicEnjoyableMusical

On a train trip West to become a mail-order bride, Susan Bradley meets a cheery crew of young women traveling out to open a "Harvey House" restaurant at a remote whistle-stop.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Judy Garland  •  John Hodiak  •  Ray Bolger  •  Angela Lansbury

On a train trip West to become a mail-order bride, Susan Bradley meets a cheery crew of young women traveling out to open a "Harvey House" restaurant at a remote whistle-stop.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Judy Garland  •  John Hodiak  •  Ray Bolger  •  Angela Lansbury

Alfalfa's Aunt (1939)

Alfalfa's weird aunt Penelope pays a visit. She's working on a murder mystery novel, but Alfalfa thinks she's trying to murder him. It's up to the Spanky and the gang to save him.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Carl Switzer  •  George McFarland  •  Billie Thomas  •  Eugene 'Porky' Lee

Alfalfa's weird aunt Penelope pays a visit. She's working on a murder mystery novel, but Alfalfa thinks she's trying to murder him. It's up to the Spanky and the gang to save him.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Carl Switzer  •  George McFarland  •  Billie Thomas  •  Eugene 'Porky' Lee

Pilot #5 (1943)

A small group of Allied soldiers and airmen on Java are being bombed by Japanese 'planes daily. With only one working fighter of their own, and five pilots anxious to fly it, the Dutch commander chooses George Collins to fly a mission to drop a 500-lb bomb on the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Franchot Tone  •  Marsha Hunt  •  Gene Kelly  •  Van Johnson

A small group of Allied soldiers and airmen on Java are being bombed by Japanese 'planes daily. With only one working fighter of their own, and five pilots anxious to fly it, the Dutch commander chooses George Collins to fly a mission to drop a 500-lb bomb on the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Franchot Tone  •  Marsha Hunt  •  Gene Kelly  •  Van Johnson

The Eddy Duchin Story (1956)

The life story of the famous pianist and band-leader of the 1930s and 1940s.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Kim Novak  •  Tyrone Power  •  James Whitmore  •  Victoria Shaw

The life story of the famous pianist and band-leader of the 1930s and 1940s.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Kim Novak  •  Tyrone Power  •  James Whitmore  •  Victoria Shaw

Thousands Cheer (1943)

Acrobat Eddie Marsh is in the army now. His first act is to become friendly with Kathryn Jones, the colonel's pretty daughter. Their romance hits a few snags, including disapproval from her father. Eddie's also plagued by fear of having an accident during his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Kathryn Grayson  •  Gene Kelly  •  Mary Astor  •  John Boles

Acrobat Eddie Marsh is in the army now. His first act is to become friendly with Kathryn Jones, the colonel's pretty daughter. Their romance hits a few snags, including disapproval from her father. Eddie's also plagued by fear of having an accident during his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Kathryn Grayson  •  Gene Kelly  •  Mary Astor  •  John Boles

Free and Easy (1941)

This MGM B-picture was adapted from Ivor Novello's play The Truth Game. Max and Florian Clemington pretend to be members of the landed gentry. Max romances the much-older Lady Joan Culver before finding true love in the form of pretty heiress Martha Gray.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Robert Cummings  •  Ruth Hussey  •  Judith Anderson  •  C. Aubrey Smith

This MGM B-picture was adapted from Ivor Novello's play The Truth Game. Max and Florian Clemington pretend to be members of the landed gentry. Max romances the much-older Lady Joan Culver before finding true love in the form of pretty heiress Martha Gray.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Robert Cummings  •  Ruth Hussey  •  Judith Anderson  •  C. Aubrey Smith

Pacific Rendezvous (1942)

A code expert working for Naval Intelligence is assigned to decode enemy messages despite his desire for active duty.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Lee Bowman  •  Jean Rogers  •  Mona Maris  •  Carl Esmond

A code expert working for Naval Intelligence is assigned to decode enemy messages despite his desire for active duty.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Lee Bowman  •  Jean Rogers  •  Mona Maris  •  Carl Esmond

Key to the City (1950)

At a mayors convention in San Francisco, ex-longshoreman Steve Fisk meets Clarissa Standish from New England. Fisk is mayor of "Puget City" and is proud of his rough and tumble background. Standish is mayor of "Winona, Maine", and is equally proud of her education ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Clark Gable  •  Loretta Young  •  Frank Morgan  •  Marilyn Maxwell

At a mayors convention in San Francisco, ex-longshoreman Steve Fisk meets Clarissa Standish from New England. Fisk is mayor of "Puget City" and is proud of his rough and tumble background. Standish is mayor of "Winona, Maine", and is equally proud of her education ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Clark Gable  •  Loretta Young  •  Frank Morgan  •  Marilyn Maxwell

Annie Get Your Gun (1950)

FunnyCharmingClassicMusical

Gunslinger Annie Oakley romances fellow sharpshooter Frank Butler as they travel with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Betty Hutton  •  Howard Keel  •  Louis Calhern  •  J. Carrol Naish

Gunslinger Annie Oakley romances fellow sharpshooter Frank Butler as they travel with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Betty Hutton  •  Howard Keel  •  Louis Calhern  •  J. Carrol Naish

Holiday in Mexico (1946)

Christine Evans, the fifteen-year-old daughter of the widowed American ambassador to Mexico Jeffrey Evans, believes that she is no longer a young girl and that she has fully matured into adulthood. Eager to make her mark in the sophisticated world of foreign ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Walter Pidgeon  •  Roddy McDowall  •  Jane Powell  •  José Iturbi

Christine Evans, the fifteen-year-old daughter of the widowed American ambassador to Mexico Jeffrey Evans, believes that she is no longer a young girl and that she has fully matured into adulthood. Eager to make her mark in the sophisticated world of foreign ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Walter Pidgeon  •  Roddy McDowall  •  Jane Powell  •  José Iturbi

Rita (2003)

Biography of 1940's sex goddess Rita Hayworth.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Elaina Archer
CAST:  Rita Hayworth  •  Kim Basinger  •  Robert Board  •  Anthony Franciosa

Biography of 1940's sex goddess Rita Hayworth.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Elaina Archer
CAST:  Rita Hayworth  •  Kim Basinger  •  Robert Board  •  Anthony Franciosa

Filmmakers in Action (2006)

What is the state of cinema and what being a filmmaker means? What are the measures taken to protect authors' copyright? What is their legal status in different countries? (Sequel to “Filmmakers vs. Tycoons.”)  (more)

DIRECTION:  Carlos Benpar
CAST:  Marta Belmonte  •  Aitor Martínez  •  Lonan García  •  Pau Herrero

What is the state of cinema and what being a filmmaker means? What are the measures taken to protect authors' copyright? What is their legal status in different countries? (Sequel to “Filmmakers vs. Tycoons.”)  (more)

DIRECTION:  Carlos Benpar
CAST:  Marta Belmonte  •  Aitor Martínez  •  Lonan García  •  Pau Herrero

Third Dimensional Murder (1941)

A 3-D short subject in which the narrator goes to a creepy old house in search of his missing aunt. There he encounters the Frankenstein monster, a witch, a wooden Indian who comes to life, and assorted other monsters and frightening characters, all of whom manage ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Ed Payson  •  Pete Smith

A 3-D short subject in which the narrator goes to a creepy old house in search of his missing aunt. There he encounters the Frankenstein monster, a witch, a wooden Indian who comes to life, and assorted other monsters and frightening characters, all of whom manage ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Ed Payson  •  Pete Smith

The Red Danube (1949)

A Russian ballerina in Vienna tries to flee KGB agents and defect.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Walter Pidgeon  •  Ethel Barrymore  •  Peter Lawford  •  Angela Lansbury

A Russian ballerina in Vienna tries to flee KGB agents and defect.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Sidney
CAST:  Walter Pidgeon  •  Ethel Barrymore  •  Peter Lawford  •  Angela Lansbury
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