
George Schaefer
Biography
George Louis Schaefer (December 16, 1920 – September 10, 1997) was an American director of television and Broadway theatre, who was active from the 1950s to the 1990s.
Schaefer was born in Wallingford, Connecticut, and lived in Oak Park, Illinois for much of his boyhood and young adulthood. He was the son of Elsie (née Otterbein) and Louis Schaefer, who worked in sales. Schaefer studied stage directing at the Yale School of Drama. He began his directing career while serving in the U.S. Army Special Services during World War II. He directed over 50 plays for the troops. After being discharged, he directed for the Broadway theatre. His first production was of Shakespeare's Hamlet starring Maurice Evans. In 1953, Schaefer won a Tony Award for his production of The Teahouse of the August Moon which he co-produced with Evans.
During the Golden Age of Television, Schaefer directed numerous live TV adaptations of Broadway plays for NBC's Hallmark Hall of Fame. His first episode for Hallmark was an adaptation of his Broadway staging of Hamlet starring Evans. In the 1980s, several of his productions for Hallmark aired in syndication under the title George Schaefer Showcase Theatre. His television work garnered him five Emmy wins out of 21 total nominations. He also won four Directors Guild of America Awards out of 17 nominations. He holds the record for the most DGA Award nominations. He also directed five theatrical films, but to limited success.
Acting (1 movie)
Directing (72 movies)
Eagle in a Cage
1965

Abe Lincoln in Illinois
1964

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
1983

The Bunker
1981
The Patriots
1963

The File on Devlin
1969
Johnny Belinda
1958

Stone Pillow
1985

Mrs. Delafield Wants to Marry
1986

The Tempest
1960

Our Town
1977

Right of Way
1983

Doctors' Wives
1971

The Second Barry Manilow Special
1978

The Man Upstairs
1992

People vs. Jean Harris
1981

A Piano for Mrs. Cimino
1982

Amelia Earhart
1976

The Last of Mrs. Lincoln
1976

Pendulum
1969

An Enemy of the People
1978

Children in the Crossfire
1984

Once Upon a Scoundrel
1973

First, You Cry
1978

Macbeth
1954

A War of Children
1972

The Girl Called Hatter Fox
1977

Answers
1985

Blithe Spirit
1966

Victoria Regina
1961
Captain Brassbound's Conversion
1960

Who'll Save Our Children?
1978

Soldier in Love
1967
The Land of Hope
1976

Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates
1958
Barefoot in Athens
1966

Harvey
1996

Gideon
1971

Macbeth
1964

Inherit the Wind
1965

The Admirable Crichton
1968

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
1967

Pygmalion
1963

Alice in Wonderland
1955

The Deadly Game
1982
Give Us Barabbas!
1961

F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Last of the Belles
1974
Saint Joan
1967

Generation
1969

In This House of Brede
1975
Winterset
1959

Mayflower: The Pilgrims' Adventure
1979
The Lark
1957

Meet Me in St. Louis
1959

A Cry of Angels
1963

A Time For Love
1973

Arsenic & Old Lace
1962

The Yeomen of the Guard
1957

The Gift of the Magi
1958

One Touch of Venus
1955

The Invincible Mr. Disraeli
1963

Kiss Me, Kate
1958

Laura Lansing Slept Here
1988

A Doll's House
1959

The Fantasticks
1964

Little Moon of Alban
1964

The Little Foxes
1956
On Borrowed Time
1957

Little Moon of Alban
1958

The Holy Terror
1965

Elizabeth the Queen
1968
Barry Manilow: One Voice
1980
