George Schaefer
- Known for
- Directing
- Born
- December 16, 1920
- Died
- September 10, 1997 (aged 76)
- Birthplace
- Wallingford, Connecticut, USA
Biography
George Louis Schaefer (December 16, 1920 – September 10, 1997) was an American director of television and Broadway theatre, who was active from the 1950s to the 1990s. Schaefer was born in Wallingford, Connecticut, and lived in Oak Park, Illinois for much of his boyhood and young adulthood. He was the son of Elsie (née Otterbein) and Louis Schaefer, who worked in sales. Schaefer studied stage directing at the Yale School of Drama. He began his directing career while serving in the U.S. Army Special Services during World War II. He directed over 50 plays for the troops. After being discharged, he directed for the Broadway theatre. His first production was of Shakespeare's Hamlet starring Maurice Evans. In 1953, Schaefer won a Tony Award for his production of The Teahouse of the August Moon which he co-produced with Evans. During the Golden Age of Television, Schaefer directed numerous live TV adaptations of Broadway plays for NBC's Hallmark Hall of Fame. His first episode for Hallmark was an adaptation of his Broadway staging of Hamlet starring Evans. In the 1980s, several of his productions for Hallmark aired in syndication under the title George Schaefer Showcase Theatre. His television work garnered him five Emmy wins out of 21 total nominations. He also won four Directors Guild of America Awards out of 17 nominations. He holds the record for the most DGA Award nominations. He also directed five theatrical films, but to limited success.
Known For
Filmography
Harvey
Movie · Director
The Man Upstairs
Movie · Director
Laura Lansing Slept Here
Movie · Director
Mrs. Delafield Wants to Marry
Movie · Director
Stone Pillow
Movie · Director
Answers
Movie · Director
Children in the Crossfire
Movie · Director
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Movie · Director
Right of Way
Movie · Director
A Piano for Mrs. Cimino
Movie · Director
The Deadly Game
Movie · Director
The Bunker
Movie · Director
People vs. Jean Harris
Movie · Director
Barry Manilow: One Voice
Movie · Director
Mayflower: The Pilgrims' Adventure
Movie · Director
Blind Ambition
TV · Director · 4 eps
The Second Barry Manilow Special
Movie · Director
An Enemy of the People
Movie · Director
First, You Cry
Movie · Director
Who'll Save Our Children?
Movie · Director
Our Town
Movie · Director
The Girl Called Hatter Fox
Movie · Director
Amelia Earhart
Movie · Director
The Last of Mrs. Lincoln
Movie · Director
The Land of Hope
Movie · Director
Truman at Potsdam
Movie · Director
In This House of Brede
Movie · Director
Once Upon a Scoundrel
Movie · Director
F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Last of the Belles
Movie · Director
Lincoln
TV · Director · 6 eps
A Time For Love
Movie · Director
A War of Children
Movie · Director
Doctors' Wives
Movie · Director
Gideon
Movie · Director
The File on Devlin
Movie · Director
Pendulum
Movie · Director
Generation
Movie · Director
The Admirable Crichton
Movie · Director
Elizabeth the Queen
Movie · Director
Soldier in Love
Movie · Director
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Movie · Director
Saint Joan
Movie · Director
Blithe Spirit
Movie · Director
Barefoot in Athens
Movie · Director
CBS Playhouse
TV · Director · 2 eps
Eagle in a Cage
Movie · Director
Inherit the Wind
Movie · Director
The Holy Terror
Movie · Director
Abe Lincoln in Illinois
Movie · Director
Macbeth
Movie · Director
The Fantasticks
Movie · Director
Little Moon of Alban
Movie · Director
The Patriots
Movie · Director
Pygmalion
Movie · Director
A Cry of Angels
Movie · Director
The Invincible Mr. Disraeli
Movie · Director
Arsenic & Old Lace
Movie · Director
Cyrano De Bergerac
Movie · Director
Victoria Regina
Movie · Director
Give Us Barabbas!
Movie · Director
Alcoa Premiere
TV · Director · 1 ep
Kraft Mystery Theatre
TV · Director · 1 ep
The Tempest
Movie · Director
Captain Brassbound's Conversion
Movie · Director
Winterset
Movie · Director
Meet Me in St. Louis
Movie · Director
A Doll's House
Movie · Director
NBC Sunday Showcase
TV · Director · 1 ep
Johnny Belinda
Movie · Director
Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates
Movie · Director
The Gift of the Magi
Movie · Director
Kiss Me, Kate
Movie · Director
Little Moon of Alban
Movie · Director
The Lark
Movie · Director
The Yeomen of the Guard
Movie · Director
On Borrowed Time
Movie · Director
The Little Foxes
Movie · Director
The Corn is Green
Movie · Director
The Taming of the Shrew
Movie · Director
THe Good Fairy
Movie · Director
Alice in Wonderland
Movie · Director
One Touch of Venus
Movie · Director
The Devil's Disciple
Movie · Director
Dream Girl
Movie · Director
Macbeth
Movie · Director
King Richard II
Movie · Director
Hamlet
Movie · Director
Hallmark Hall of Fame
TV · Director · 60 eps
Fallen Angel
Movie · Assistant Director