Directing

Alvin Ganzer

Born August 27, 1911 · Cold Spring, Minnesota, United States

Died January 3, 2009 · aged 97

Alvin Ganzer was an American film and television director whose career spanned several decades. He began his career at Paramount Pictures in 1932, working in the casting department before transitioning to roles as an assistant and second unit director on numerous feature films from 1934 through 1954. Ganzer's first directorial feature film credit was for The Girls of Pleasure Island (1953), steppi…

Known For

The PalefaceThe Paleface · 1948
The Paleface
6.11948
MovieComedyWestern
Bob Hope stars in this laugh-packed wild west spoof co-starring Jane Russell as a sexy Calamity Jane, Hope is a meek frontier dentist, "Painless" Peter Potter, who finds himself gunslinging alongside the fearless Calamity as she fights off outlaws and Indians.
Elephant WalkElephant Walk · 1954
Elephant Walk
5.91954
MovieRomanceAdventure
Colonial tea planter John Wiley (Peter Finch), visiting England at the end of World War II, wins and weds lovely English rose Ruth (Dame Elizabeth Taylor) and takes her home to Elephant Walk, Ceylon, where the local elephants have a grudge against the plantation. Ruth's delight with the tropical wealth and luxury of her new home is tempered by isolation as the only white woman in the district; her husband's occasional imperious arrogance; a mutual physical attraction with plantation manager Dick Carver (Dana Andrews), and the hovering, ominous menace of the hostile elephants.
When the Boys Meet the GirlsWhen the Boys Meet the Girls · 1965
When the Boys Meet the Girls
4.81965
MovieMusic
A playboy helps a young woman turn her father's Nevada ranch into a haven for divorcees.
At War with the ArmyAt War with the Army · 1950
At War with the Army
5.31950
MovieComedyWar
Two former nightclub partners are now enlisted in the Army. Sergeant Puccinelli ranks above his former partner, Private First Class Korwin. Puccinelli is desperately trying to get transferred from his dull job to active duty overseas. Meanwhile, all Korwin wants is a pass to see his wife and new baby.
Chicago DeadlineChicago Deadline · 1949
Chicago Deadline
6.71949
MovieDramaCrime
On Chicago's South Side reporter Ed Ames finds the body of a dead girl. Her address book leads to a host of names of men frightened by her death but claiming never to have known her. Ames comes to know quite a lot, dangerously so.
King of ChinatownKing of Chinatown · 1939
King of Chinatown
5.61939
MovieActionCrime
A Chinese-American surgeon faces a moral dilemma after operating on the mob boss in charge of vice and protection rackets in her city's Chinatown.
Three Bites of the AppleThree Bites of the Apple · 1967
Three Bites of the Apple
6.01967
MovieComedy
A tour guide wins a large sum of money at a casino and a beautiful woman schemes at have it, but love complicates her plans.
Country Music HolidayCountry Music Holiday · 1958
Country Music Holiday
6.01958
MovieRomanceMusic
Tennessee singing G.I. Verne Brand travels to New York City after his Army discharge. Alongside his buddies, he convinces a former bookie turned record executive to sign him, leading to a massive publicity blitz and attention from socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor. The situation draws Verne's hometown sweetheart, Marietta. to the city just as Verne becomes a television sensation in a high-stakes network ratings battle. Ultimately, Verne chooses his roots over fame, returning to Tennessee with Marietta to open a local recording studio.

Filmography

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Cavalcade of AmericaCavalcade of America · 1952
Cavalcade of America
4.61952
SeriesDrama
Cavalcade of America is an anthology drama series that was sponsored by the DuPont Company, although it occasionally presented a musical, such as an adaptation of Show Boat, and condensed biographies of popular composers. It was initially broadcast on radio from 1935 to 1953, and later on television from 1952 to 1957. Originally on CBS, the series pioneered the use of anthology drama for company audio advertising. Cavalcade of America documented historical events using stories of individual courage, initiative and achievement, often with feel-good dramatizations of the human spirit's triumph against all odds. This was consistent with DuPont's overall conservative philosophy and legacy as an American company dating back to 1802. The company's motto, "Maker of better things for better living through chemistry," was read at the beginning of each program, and the dramas emphasized humanitarian progress, particularly improvements in the lives of women, often through technological innovation.

Director

Alcoa TheatreAlcoa Theatre · 1957
Alcoa Theatre
7.01957
SeriesDrama
Alcoa Theatre is a half-hour American anthology series telecast on NBC at 9:30 pm on alternate Monday nights from October 7, 1957 to September 16, 1960. The program also aired under the title Turn of Fate, with the stories depicting the difficulties faced by individuals who are suddenly thrust into unexpected and perilous dangers. Alcoa Theatre was syndicated together with Goodyear Theatre as Award Theatre. In 1955, The Alcoa Hour premiered in a one-hour format aired on Sunday nights, but it was reduced to 30 minutes, retitled Alcoa Theatre, and moved to Monday evening in 1957. The show employed an alternating rotating company of actors: David Niven, Robert Ryan, Jane Powell, Jack Lemmon and Charles Boyer. Each appeared in dramatic and light comedic roles through the first season.

Director