Michael Audley

Michael Audley (June 20, 1913 – October 3, 1995) was an American film and theatre director, actor, and dialogue advisor.

Michael Audley
Born(1913-06-20)June 20, 1913
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedOctober 3, 1995(1995-10-03) (aged 82)
U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Film and theatre director, actor and dialogue advisor

Life and career

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Audley began his career as a stage actor and director. In 1942, he directed Allan Kenward's Cry Havoc, a war drama in three acts, which premiered in Hollywood with a cast led by Victoria Faust and Anne Loos.[1] The play was well reviewed and earned him a contract to direct for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.[2]

Audley's first foray into directing for film was the 1945 short The All-Star Bond Rally, which was preserved by the Academy Film Archive in conjunction with Twentieth Century Fox.[3] The film included many seminal entertainers of the era, including Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Betty Grable, June Haver, Linda Darnell, Vivian Blaine, Jeanne Crain, Faye Marlowe, Harpo Marx, Harry James and his band, and Jim Jordan and Marian Driscoll Jordan of Fibber McGee and Molly.[4] His most notable film as a director is The Mark of the Hawk (1957) which starred Eartha Kitt and Sidney Poitier.[5] He also assisted on The Naked Maja (1958).

As a film actor Audley portrayed Major Davis in the 1966 James Bond spoof Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die.[6] He also appeared in several films set in Louisiana, including French Quarter Undercover (1985, as Major Sullivan[7]), and Shy People (1987, as Louie) with actresses Barbara Hershey, Jill Clayburgh, and Martha Plimpton.[8] On television he portrayed Uncle Jack Marshall in the 1987 CBS television film A Gathering of Old Men with Holly Hunter portraying his niece.[9]

References
  1. "Legitimate: Plays Out of Town - CRY HAVOC". Variety. 148 (7): 59. October 21, 1942.
  2. "Pictures: Audley's 'Havoc' Lands Him M-G Director Deal". Variety. 149 (1): 21. December 16, 1942.
  3. "Preserved Projects". Academy Film Archive.
  4. Green, Abel (April 11, 1945). Pictures: All-Star Bond Short, 'Springfield' Tolerance Pic Have Socko Appeal. p. 20. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  5. "Film Reviews: Mark of the Hawk". Variety. 209 (11): 6. February 12, 1958.
  6. Michael R. Pitts (2010). "Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die". Columbia Pictures Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Films, 1928-1982. McFarland & Company. pp. 129–131. ISBN 9780786457663.
  7. "MIFED '84: 'Undercover' in New Orleans attract attention as SEC gains worldwide". Screen International (469): 82. October 27, 1984.
  8. Meisel, Myron (January 1, 1988). "SHY PEOPLE". The Film Journal. 91 (1): 46–47.
  9. "Television Reviews: A GATHERING OF OLD MEN". Variety. 327 (3): 104, 114. May 13, 1987.


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