Leslie Fenton
Encyclopedia
Leslie Fenton was an English-born American actor and film director
. He appeared in 62 films between 1923
and 1945
.
Fenton went to America with his mother, Elizabeth, and his brothers when he was six years old - they sailed as steerage
passengers on board the R.M.S. Celtic, which departed from the Port of Liverpool
, 11 September 1909, and arrived at the Port of New York
, where they were ferried over to Ellis Island
for "U.S. Immigrant Inspection" on 19 September; they were quickly admitted and continued their journey by rail to join his father, Reginald Fenton, in Mifflin, Ohio
). As a young immigrant, Leslie worked in a shoe factory then ran away to New York
and began a career on the stage. His film career began later with Fox
Studios.
During the Second World War he was commissioned in the Royal Navy
. In 1942 in command of a Motor Launch
he took part in the St Nazaire Raid. He also directed 19 films between 1938
and 1951
.
He married American actress Ann Dvorak
in 1932; the union was childless and ended in divorce in 1945. His younger brother was Frank Fenton
, the noted screenwriter and novelist. Fenton died in Montecito, California
, aged 76.
As Director:
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
. He appeared in 62 films between 1923
1923 in film
-Events:*April 15 - Lee De Forest demonstrates the Phonofilm sound-on-film system at the Rivoli Theater in New York with a series of short musical films featuring vaudeville performers.-Top grossing films :-Films released in 1923:U.S.A...
and 1945
1945 in film
The year 1945 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Paramount Studios releases theatrical short cartoon titled The Friendly Ghost, featuring a ghost named Casper.* With Rossellini's Roma Città aperta, Italian neorealist cinema begins....
.
Fenton went to America with his mother, Elizabeth, and his brothers when he was six years old - they sailed as steerage
Steerage
Steerage is the act of steering a ship. "Steerage" also refers to the lowest decks of a ship.-Steerage and steerage way:The rudder of a vessel can only steer the ship when water is passing over it...
passengers on board the R.M.S. Celtic, which departed from the Port of Liverpool
Port of Liverpool
The Port of Liverpool is the name for the enclosed 7.5 mile dock system that runs from Brunswick Dock in Liverpool to Seaforth Dock, Seaforth, on the east side of the River Mersey and the Birkenhead Docks between Birkenhead and Wallasey on the west side of the river...
, 11 September 1909, and arrived at the Port of New York
Port of New York
Port of New York is a 1949 film shot in semidocumentary style. The film is notable for being Yul Brynner's first movie. He had not begun shaving his hair yet. The film, which is very similar to T-Men , was shot on location in New York City. The movie was directed by László Benedek with...
, where they were ferried over to Ellis Island
Ellis Island
Ellis Island in New York Harbor was the gateway for millions of immigrants to the United States. It was the nation's busiest immigrant inspection station from 1892 until 1954. The island was greatly expanded with landfill between 1892 and 1934. Before that, the much smaller original island was the...
for "U.S. Immigrant Inspection" on 19 September; they were quickly admitted and continued their journey by rail to join his father, Reginald Fenton, in Mifflin, Ohio
Mifflin, Ohio
Mifflin is a village in Ashland County, Ohio, United States. The population was 144 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Mifflin is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land....
). As a young immigrant, Leslie worked in a shoe factory then ran away to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and began a career on the stage. His film career began later with Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
Studios.
During the Second World War he was commissioned in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. In 1942 in command of a Motor Launch
Motor Launch
A Motor Launch is a small military vessel in British navy service. It was designed for harbour defence and submarine chasing or for armed high speed air-sea rescue....
he took part in the St Nazaire Raid. He also directed 19 films between 1938
1938 in film
The year 1938 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*January — MGM announces that Judy Garland would be cast in the role of "Dorothy" in the upcoming Wizard of Oz motion picture. Ray Bolger is cast as the "Tinman" and Buddy Ebsen is cast as the "Scarecrow". At Bolger's insistence,...
and 1951
1951 in film
The year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
.
He married American actress Ann Dvorak
Ann Dvorak
Ann Dvorak was an American film actress.Asked how to pronounce her adopted surname, she told The Literary Digest: "My name is properly pronounced vor'shack. The D remains silent...
in 1932; the union was childless and ended in divorce in 1945. His younger brother was Frank Fenton
Frank Fenton
Frank Fenton was an American stage, film and television actor.-Biography:Born Francis Fenton Moran, the Georgetown University-graduate started his career on stage in New York, eventually starring in the Broadway versions of Susan and God with Gertrude Lawrence and as George Kittredge in The...
, the noted screenwriter and novelist. Fenton died in Montecito, California
Montecito, California
Montecito is an unincorporated community in Santa Barbara County, California. As a census-designated place, it had a population of 8,965 in 2010. This does not include areas such as Coast Village Road, that, while usually considered part of Montecito, are actually within the city limits of Santa...
, aged 76.
Selected filmography
As Actor:- East LynneEast LynneEast Lynne is an English sensation novel of 1861 by Ellen Wood. East Lynne was a Victorian bestseller. It is remembered chiefly for its elaborate and implausible plot, centering on infidelity and double identities...
(19251925 in film-Events:*November 5: The Big Parade holds its Grand Premier*December 30: premier of Ben-Hur the most expensive silent film ever made costing 4-6 million dollars -Top grossing films :...
) - What Price Glory? (19261926 in film-Events:*August - Warner Brothers debuts the first Vitaphone film, Don Juan. The Vitaphone system used multiple 33⅓ rpm disc records developed by Bell Telephone Laboratories and Western Electric to play back audio synchronized with film....
) - The Shamrock HandicapThe Shamrock HandicapThe Shamrock Handicap is a romance film directed by John Ford. A print of the film still exists in the Museum of Modern Art film archive.-Cast:* Janet Gaynor - Lady Sheila O'Hara* Leslie Fenton - Neil Ross* Willard Louis - Orville Finch* J...
(1926) - The Last PerformanceThe Last PerformanceThe Last Performance was the last American silent film featuring Conrad Veidt before he returned to Germany. Two versions were made - a silent version and Movietone version complete with music, talking sequences, and sound effects...
(19271927 in film-Events:*January 10 - Fritz Lang's science-fiction fantasy Metropolis premieres in Germany.*April 7 - Abel Gance's Napoleon often considered his best known and greatest masterpiece, premiers at the Paris Opéra and would demonstrate techniques and equipment that would not be used for years to...
) - The ShowdownThe Showdown (1928 film)The Showdown is a 1928 silent American drama film directed by Victor Schertzinger and starring Evelyn Brent.- Cast :* George Bancroft as Cardan* Evelyn Brent as Sibyl Shelton* Neil Hamilton as Wilson Shelton* Fred Kohler as Winter...
(1928) - The Dragnet (1928)
- Paris BoundParis BoundParis Bound is a 1927 play by Philip Barry. It was made into a movie in 1929, directed by Edward H. Griffith and starring Ann Harding and Fredric March.- Plot :...
(19291929 in film-Events:The days of the silent film are numbered. A mad scramble to provide synchronized sound is on.*January 20 - The movie In Old Arizona is released. The film is the first full-length talking film to be filmed outdoors....
) - BroadwayBroadway (1929 film)Broadway is a 1929 film directed by Pál Fejös from the play of the same name by George Abbott and Philip Dunning. It stars Glenn Tryon, Evelyn Brent, Paul Porcasi, Robert Ellis, Merna Kennedy and Thomas E...
(1929) - Woman TrapWoman TrapWoman Trap is a 1929 American drama film directed by William A. Wellman and starring Evelyn Brent.- Cast :* Hal Skelly as Dan Malone* Chester Morris as Ray Malone* Evelyn Brent as Kitty Evans* William B. Davidson as Watts* Effie Ellsler as Mrs. Malone...
(1929) - The Guilty GenerationThe Guilty GenerationThe Guilty Generation is a 1931 drama film directed by Rowland V. Lee, starring Leo Carrillo and featuring Boris Karloff.-Cast:* Leo Carrillo - Mike Palmiero* Constance Cummings - Maria Palmiero* Robert Young - Marco Ricca - aka John Smith...
(19311931 in film-Top grossing films:-Academy Awards:*Best Picture: Cimarron - MGM*Best Actor: Lionel Barrymore - A Free Soul*Best Actor: Wallace Beery - The Champ*Best Actor: Fredric March - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde...
) - The Public EnemyThe Public EnemyThe Public Enemy is a 1931 American Pre-Code crime film starring James Cagney and directed by William A. Wellman. The film relates the story of a young man's rise in the criminal underworld in prohibition-era urban America...
(1931) - The Pagan LadyThe Pagan LadyThe Pagan Lady is a 1931 American drama film directed by John Francis Dillon and starring Evelyn Brent.- Cast :* Evelyn Brent as Dorothy 'Dot' Hunter* Conrad Nagel as Ernest Todd* Charles Bickford as Dingo Mike* Roland Young as Dr...
(1931) - The Hatchet ManThe Hatchet ManThe Hatchet Man is a Pre-Code film directed by William A. Wellman and starring Edward G. Robinson. Warner Bros. had purchased the David Belasco/Achmed Abdullah play The Honorable Mr. Wong about the Tong gang wars...
(1932) - AirmailAirmail (film)Air Mail is a 1932 American adventure film directed by John Ford and starring Ralph Bellamy and Gloria Stuart.-Cast:* Ralph Bellamy - Mike Miller* Gloria Stuart - Ruth Barnes* Pat O'Brien - Duke Talbot...
(19321932 in film-Events:*Cary Grant's film career begins*Katharine Hepburn's film career begins*Shirley Temple's film career begins*Disney released Flowers and Trees, the first cartoon in three-strip Technicolor film.*Santa, first sound film made in Mexico released....
) - Thunder Below (1932)
- Lady KillerLady Killer (1933 film)Lady Killer is a 1933 film starring James Cagney, Mae Clarke, and Margaret Lindsay, based on the story "The Finger Man" by Rosalind Keating Shaffer.-Cast:*James Cagney as Dan Quigley*Mae Clarke as Myra Gale*Margaret Lindsay as Lois Underwood...
(19331933 in film-Events:* March 2 - King Kong premieres in New York City.* June 6 - The first drive-in theater opens, in Camden, New Jersey.* British Film Institute founded....
) - White LiesWhite liesWhite lies or Kind Lies are benign or trivial lies.One example of a white lie would be when a person falsely affirms that they consider their friend beautiful or intelligent so as to reinforce their friend's self-esteem...
(1935) - House of SecretsHouse of SecretsThe House of Secrets is the name of several mystery-suspense, anthology comic book series published by DC Comics. It had a companion series titled House of Mystery.- First series :...
(1936) - Two in the DarkTwo in the DarkTwo in the Dark is a 1936 mystery film starring Walter Abel, Margot Grahame, Wallace Ford, Gail Patrick, and Alan Hale. The movie, about an amnesiac suspected of murder, was directed by Benjamin Stoloff....
(1936) - China Passage (1937)
- Boys TownBoys TownBoys Town or Boystown may refer to:*Boys Town , an organization dedicated to the housing and education of at-risk children, founded by Father Edward J...
(1938)
As Director:
- The Man from DakotaThe Man from DakotaThe Man from Dakota is a 1940 film directed by Leslie Fenton and starring Wallace Beery. The movie was adapted by Laurence Stallings from the novel by MacKinlay Kantor.-Cast:*Wallace Beery as Bar Barstow*John Howard as Oliver Clark...
(19401940 in filmThe year 1940 in film involved some significant events, including the premieres of the Walt Disney classics Pinocchio and Fantasia.-Events:*February 7 - Walt Disney's animated film Pinocchio is released....
) - The Saint's VacationThe Saint's VacationThe Saint's Vacation is the title of a 1941 British-American adventure film produced by RKO Pictures. The film starred Hugh Sinclair as Simon Templar, a.k.a. "The Saint" a world-roving crimefighter who walks the fine edge of the law. This was one of a series of films based loosely upon the...
(19411941 in filmThe year 1941 in film involved some significant events.-Events:Citizen Kane, consistently rated as one of the greatest films of all time, was released in 1941.-Top grossing films :-Academy Awards:...
) - Whispering SmithWhispering SmithWhispering Smith is a 1948 western film starring Alan Ladd as a railroad detective assigned to stop a gang of train robbers.It is based on a novel by Frank H. Spearman and a previous 1926 film adaptation starring H.B...
(1948) - Streets of LaredoStreets of Laredo (film)Streets of Laredo is a 1949 western film starring William Holden, Macdonald Carey and William Bendix as three outlaws who rescue a young girl, played by Mona Freeman...
(19491949 in filmThe year 1949 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff, starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello...
) - The Redhead and the CowboyThe Redhead and the CowboyThe Redhead and the Cowboy is a 1951 western movie starring Glenn Ford. Directed by Leslie Fenton.- Synopsis :Gil Kyle finds himself caught up in the politics and unrest of the American Civil War and soon gets himself framed for a murder...
(1951)