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Mitchell Leisen (1898–1972)

Mitchell Leisen was born on October 6, 1898 in Menominee, Michigan, USA as James Mitchell Leisen. He was a director and art director, known for Death Takes a Holiday (1934), The Mating Season (1951) and Hold Back the Dawn (1941). He was married to Sandra Gahle. He died on October 28, 1972 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA. See full bio »
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Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 1 nomination. See more awards »

Known For

Death Takes a Holiday
Death Takes a Holiday Director
(1934)
The Mating Season
The Mating Season Director
(1951)
Hold Back the Dawn
Hold Back the Dawn Director
(1941)
Remember the Night
Remember the Night Director
(1940)
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 |  Edit

Filmography

Hide Hide Show Show Director (51 credits)
 1967 Spree (Documentary)
 1966-1967 The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. (TV Series) (3 episodes)
- The Petit Prix Affair (1967)
- The Drublegratz Affair (1967)
- The Danish Blue Affair (1966)
 1961-1962 Adventures in Paradise (TV Series) (2 episodes)
- The Velvet Trap (1962)
- Show Me a Hero (1961)
 1961 Follow the Sun (TV Series) (2 episodes)
- Mele Kalikimaka to You (1961) ... (as Mitch Leisen)
- Busman's Holiday (1961) ... (as Mitch Leisen)
 1961 Wagon Train (TV Series) (2 episodes)
- The Prairie Story (1961)
- The Patience Miller Story (1961) ... (as Mitch Leisen)
 1960 Open Windows (TV Movie)
 1955-1960 General Electric Theater (TV Series) (10 episodes)
- The Other Wise Man (1960) ... (as Mitch Leisen)
- The Story of Judith (1960)
- Absalom, My Son (1959)
- Signs of Love (1959)
- Night Club (1959)
Show all 10 episodes
 1960 Thriller (TV Series) (2 episodes)
- Girl with a Secret (1960)
- Worse Than Murder (1960)
 1960 Markham (TV Series) (5 episodes)
- The Bad Spell (1960)
- A Cry from the Penthouse (1960)
- Escorts a La Carte (1960)
- The Man from Salzburg (1960)
- Coercion (1960)
 1959-1960 The Twilight Zone (TV Series) (3 episodes)
- People Are Alike All Over (1960)
- Escape Clause (1959)
- The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine (1959)
 1958 Shirley Temple's Storybook (TV Series) (3 episodes)
- Mother Goose (1958)
- Hiawatha (1958)
- The Sleeping Beauty (1958)
 1955 Bedevilled
 1948 Dream Girl
 1945 Kitty
 1939 Midnight
 1937 Easy Living
 1934 Bolero (uncredited)
 1933 Cradle Song
Show Show Art director (22 credits)
Show Show Costume designer (16 credits)
Show Show Actor (7 credits)
Show Show Producer (7 credits)
Show Show Second Unit Director or Assistant Director (5 credits)
Show Show Costume and Wardrobe Department (3 credits)
Show Show Set decorator (2 credits)
Show Show Writer (1 credit)
Show Show Art department (1 credit)
Show Show Production manager (1 credit)
Show Show Miscellaneous Crew (1 credit)
Show Show Self (2 credits)
Show Show Archive footage (1 credit)
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Personal Details

Other Works:

Unsold pilot: Directed a sitcom pilot called "Open Windows". See more »

Publicity Listings:

1 Print Biography | 4 Articles | See more »

Alternate Names:

J. Mitchell Leisen | J.M. Leisen | James Mitchell Leisen | Mitch Leisen | Leisen
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Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

[on Carole Lombard] She was really a sweet, even tempered girl. Strong but sweet - not even her colorful syntax made her less sweet. She had tolerance, and her patience was just incredible and rare. She didn't fly into rage very often, but she'd let it all come out and then feel cleansed. She was so very fair, and fairness was really all she asked of others. When she became really angry, it was ... See more »

Trivia:

Worked in the dual capacity of costume designer and art director at MGM (1929-31) and at Paramount (1932-33). Became Paramount's most reliable contract director (1933-51), noted for visual elegance and for his ability to direct actresses. His forte were comedies and romances. His best films often starred Fred MacMurray or Ray Milland and were scripted by Preston Sturges or Billy Wilder. When ... See more »

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