George Schaefer

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.

Fallen Angel

6.4

The Bunker

6.3

Doctors' Wives

5.0

An Enemy of the People

6.5

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

5.0

Right of Way

7.3

Once Upon a Scoundrel

5.0

Pendulum

5.5

Mayflower: The Pilgrims' Adventure

6.5

Hallmark Hall of Fame

8.7

Stone Pillow

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The Deadly Game

7.2

F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Last of the Belles

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A Piano for Mrs. Cimino

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Barefoot in Athens

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Harvey

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In This House of Brede

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One Touch of Venus

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Kiss Me, Kate

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Laura Lansing Slept Here

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The Fantasticks

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Alcoa Premiere

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Mrs. Delafield Wants to Marry

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The Man Upstairs

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Macbeth

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A War of Children

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Generation

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Arsenic & Old Lace

6.5

NBC Sunday Showcase

4.5

Kraft Mystery Theatre

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Abe Lincoln in Illinois

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Our Town

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Children in the Crossfire

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Who'll Save Our Children?

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The Admirable Crichton

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Inherit the Wind

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Meet Me in St. Louis

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The Invincible Mr. Disraeli

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A Doll's House

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CBS Playhouse

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Blind Ambition

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Lincoln

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Eagle in a Cage

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The Patriots

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The File on Devlin

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Johnny Belinda

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The Tempest

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The Second Barry Manilow Special

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People vs. Jean Harris

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Amelia Earhart

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The Last of Mrs. Lincoln

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First, You Cry

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The Girl Called Hatter Fox

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Answers

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Blithe Spirit

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Victoria Regina

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Captain Brassbound's Conversion

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Soldier in Love

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The Land of Hope

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Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates

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Gideon

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Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

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Pygmalion

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Alice in Wonderland

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Give Us Barabbas!

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Saint Joan

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Winterset

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The Lark

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A Cry of Angels

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A Time For Love

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The Yeomen of the Guard

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The Gift of the Magi

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Little Moon of Alban

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On Borrowed Time

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The Little Foxes

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The Holy Terror

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Elizabeth the Queen

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