Happy Birthday, W. S. Van Dyke! Born today in 1889 as Woodbridge Strong "W. S." Van Dyke II, this American writer and film director had made several successful early sound films.
These included the 1932 pre-Code American black and white/action adventure film 'Tarzan the Ape Man', the 1934 American pre-Code comedy-mystery/romance B movie 'The Thin Man' and the 1938 American musical-drama/disaster film 'San Francisco'.
Of these, Van Dyke is best known for directing 'The Thin Man'. The film was based off of American author of hard-boiled detective novels and short stories Dashiell Hammett's eponymous 1933 novel.
The film followed up with three features: the 1936 American black and white comedy thriller/detective fiction film 'After the Thin Man', the 1939 American black and white thriller film 'Another Thin Man' and the 1941 American black and white drama/mystery film 'Shadow of the Thin Man'. All of these were directed by Van Dyke.
Later on, two more followed after Van Dyke bowed out. These included the 1944 American black and white/mystery film 'The Thin Man Goes Home' and the 1947 American black and white black and white comedy-crime/thriller film 'Song of the Thin Man'.
Van Dyke had also directed six popular musical features, starring American singer, baritone and actor Nelson Eddy and American singer and actress Jeanette MacDonald.
Also known as One Take Woody, Van Dyke committed suicide on February 5, 1943. He was 53.
Van Dyke had been active from 1915–42.
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