Mini Tribute: Leo McCarey at Work

Born October 3, 1896 (or 1898?) Director Leo McCarey!

In a 41 year film career that spanned 1921-1962, Leo McCarey directed over 100 films, most famously Duck Soup, The Awful Truth, Love Affair, Going My Way, The Bells of St. Mary’s, and An Affair To Remember. Not only a director however, McCarey wrote the stories and/or screenplays for My Favorite Wife, Love Affair, The Cowboy and the Lady, Good Sam, The Bells of St. Mary’s and Going My Way, AND served as producer for My Favorite Wife (uncredited), The Awful Truth, Love Affair, Going My Way, The Bells of St. Mary’s as well. That said, McCarey certainly had his hand in some of today’s most memorable classic films (understatement).

“I love when people laugh. I love when they cry, I like a story to say something, and I hope the audience feels happier leaving the theatre than when it came in.”

McCarey won three Oscars, one for The Awful Truth (Best Director) and two for Going My Way (Best Director and Best Writing for Original Story). He was also nominated for five other Oscars including Best Director for The Bells of St. Mary’s (click here to see his other nominations).

In celebration of McCarey and his work, lets take a peek at some fun behind-the-scenes photos:

Leo McCarey with Chico and Harpo Marx on the set of Duck Soup (1933)

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With Charles Laughton on the set of Ruggles of Red Gap (1935)

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Irene Dunne, Cary Grant and Leo McCarey promoting The Awful Truth (1937)

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With Cary Grant on the set of The Awful Truth

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Leo McCarey, Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer on a ‘coffee break’ on the set of Love Affair (1939)

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With Bing Crosby on the set of Going My Way (1944)

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At the 1945 Oscars: Leo McCarey (Best Director) and Bing Crosby (Best Actor) win for Going My Way, while Ingrid Bergman wins for Gaslight (Best Actress). McCarey’s next film, The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945) would feature both Crosby and Bergman