On The Boulevard: George Marshall

Who's George Marshall? I have no idea. Let's find out.

I don't think the one we're looking for is the military leader who became Secretary of State. He's probably the second listing I'm finding claiming that George was a prolific actor/writer/producer and director of film and television. Yep, that's the owner of this star.

Not much can be said, because I can't seem to find much n him. Even though he has a resume as long a my arm.

He was born in Chicago in 1891 and died in Los Angeles in 1975. It appears he started his directing career in 1916 at the age of 25 with the silent film Across The Rio Grande. From there he'd continue on to more recognizable titles like Destry Rides Again (1939), The Ghost Breakers (1940), The Blue Dahlia (1946) and as one of the many directors who contributed to How The West Was Won (1962). It says here he shot the railroad scenes for that film.

In the 60's he moved more and more into television ending his long carer with a a few episodes for The Odd Couple. Over 176 projects by the time of his retirement. It's an impressive sum.

Well, we may not have been very aware of Mr. Marshall's contributions to cinema and they may not have been groundbreaking or himself considered an auteur. But he worked, he added to the culture, he achieved what very few people have, a long and productive career.

It is a star as deserved and even more so, than others that exist today. I'm looking at you David Spade.