George Marshall
George Marshall came to Hollywood in 1912 to visit his mother and stayed to direct more than 425 movies.
The prolific and much-admired director specialized in humor, starting with Laurel and Hardy and W.C. Fields movies, eventually directing later stars including Bob Hope and Lucille Ball.
Among his long list of credits, Marshall held special affection for "Destry Rides Again," the movie that gave new life to Marlene Dietrich's career.
Other films directed by Marshall include "You Can't Cheat an Honest Man," with W.C. Fields; "Incendiary Blonde," which helped make a star of Betty Hutton; "My Friend Irma," which launched the Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis combination in movies; and a segment of "How the West Was Won."
"I never meant to get into movies," Marshall once said. "Before that I was a mechanic, a reporter. I got kicked out of the University of Chicago. Guess I was meant to be a tramp."
He never made it as a tramp. As an extra in 1912, he showed the kind of innovation that marked his career by pooling resources with two other actors and buying a dress suit. The suit provided an entree to parts otherwise unavailable.
Marshall's first directing job came in 1915 — a three-reeler western starring Harry Carey. It was called "Committee on Credentials."
He served in France during World War I and married his wife, Germaine, there. They remained together until Marshall's death
He remembered with great fondness directing Ruth Roland in the "Adventures of Ruth" series right after World War I.
"She did everything herself," Marshall said. "I remember I used to shoot at her feet with real bullets. Didn't bother her none. Sometimes I wonder what would happen today if actresses had to do what Ruth did."
Marshall's active Hollywood career ended the month before his death with an acting appearance in the TV series "Policewoman."
His TV directing credits included such shows as "Here's Lucy," "The Odd Couple" and "The Wackiest Ship in the Army."
Marshall died in Los Angeles at age 83 on Feb. 17, 1975.
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