Leo McCarey American film director, screenwriter and producer Date of Birth: 03.10.1898 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Career
2. The Hal Roach Era
3. The Laurel and Hardy Partnership
4. Transition to Feature Films
5. The Cary Grant Persona
6. Social and Political Awareness
7. Post-War Films
8. Later Career and Legacy

Early Life and Career

Thomas Leo McCarey was born on October 3, 1898, in Los Angeles, California. He graduated from the University of Southern California law school and entered the film business as an assistant director to Tod Browning in 1920.

The Hal Roach Era

McCarey honed his skills at Hal Roach Studios throughout the decade. In 1923, Roach hired him to write comedy routines for the "Our Gang" series and for various studios. He then began directing his own short films, including a two-reeler starring Charley Chase.

The Laurel and Hardy Partnership

While working with Roach, McCarey teamed Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, creating one of the most successful comedy duos of all time. He officially directed the duo in shorts such as "We Faw Down," "Liberty," and "Wrong Again." However, his greater contribution to their success was as a screenwriter. By 1929, McCarey had risen to become Roach's vice president in charge of production.

Transition to Feature Films

With the advent of sound, McCarey ventured into feature films, working with top stars of the era, including Gloria Swanson, Eddie Cantor, Mae West, and Harold Lloyd. In 1937, he won his first Oscar for directing the screwball comedy "The Awful Truth" with Irene Dunne and Cary Grant.

The Cary Grant Persona

McCarey and Grant had a significant impact on each other's careers. Grant's image and mannerisms were largely influenced by McCarey, who created the actor's iconic persona. Director and screenwriter Peter Bogdanovich noted, "After 'The Awful Truth,' when it came to light comedy, Cary Grant was all that there was."

Social and Political Awareness

McCarey was a devout Roman Catholic and deeply interested in social issues. In the 1940s, his work took on a more serious tone, and his politics became more conservative. His 1944 musical drama "Going My Way," about a resourceful priest played by Bing Crosby, won him his second Oscar and broke box-office records in the United States. Its sequel, "The Bells of St. Mary's" (1945), was equally successful.

Post-War Films

McCarey's post-Korean War films faced backlash for their perceived right-wing leanings. His anti-communist drama "My Son John" (1952) was a box-office failure. Five years later, McCarey co-wrote, produced, and directed the romantic drama "An Affair to Remember" starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. In 1958, he directed the highly popular comedy "Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys!" with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.

Later Career and Legacy

McCarey's final directorial effort was the 1962 drama "Satan Never Sleeps." He died of emphysema at the age of 71 on July 5, 1969. His brother, director Ray McCarey, had died 21 years earlier. French filmmaker Jean Renoir famously said that Leo McCarey understood human character better than any other Hollywood director.