Elliott Nugent

Elliott Nugent (September 20, 1896 – August 9, 1980)^[3] was an American actor, playwright, writer, and film director.

Elliott Nugent
Nugent in a 1947 publicity photo
Born	September 20, 1896 Dover, Ohio, U.S.
Died	August 9, 1980 (aged 83) New York City, U.S.
Spouse	Norma Lee (1921–1980; his death) [1][2]
Parent	J. C. Nugent (father)

Life and career

Nugent was born in Dover, Ohio, the son of actor J.C. Nugent.^[4] He attended Ohio State University.^[5] He successfully made the transition from silent film to sound film. He directed The Cat and the Canary (1939), starring Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard.^[6] He also directed the Hope films Never Say Die (1939) and My Favorite Brunette (1947).^[7]

Nugent was a college classmate (and lifelong friend) of fellow Ohioan James Thurber.^[8] Together, they wrote the Broadway play The Male Animal (1940)^[4] in which Nugent starred with Gene Tierney. He also directed the 1942 film version starring Henry Fonda and Olivia de Havilland.^[9]

Nugent was the brother-in-law of actor Alan Bunce of Ethel and Albert fame.^[10]

Nugent died in his sleep at his New York home.^[11] His papers are archived at the New York Public Library.^[12]

Partial list of stage works

• The Poor Nut (1925)
• The Male Animal (1940)
• Tomorrow the World (1943)
• Voice of the Turtle (1945)

Source:^[12]

Partial filmography

• Headlines (1925) - Roger Hillman
• The Single Standard (1929) - Party Boy (uncredited)
• Wise Girls (1929) - Kempy
• So This Is College (1929) - Eddie
• Not So Dumb (1930) - Gordon
• The Sins of the Children (1930) - Johnnie Wagenkampf
• The Unholy Three (1930) (also writer, with J.C. Nugent) - Hector
• Romance (1930) - Harry
• For the Love o' Lil (1930) - Sandy Jenkins
• The Virtuous Husband (1931) - Daniel Curtis
• The Last Flight (1931) - Francis
• The Mouthpiece (1932, director)
• Life Begins (1932, co-director)
• Whistling in the Dark (1933, director)
• Three-Cornered Moon (1933, director) - Stock Broker (uncredited)
• If I Were Free (1933, director)
• Two Alone (1934, director)
• Strictly Dynamite (1934, director) - Performer (uncredited) (unbilled)
• She Loves Me Not (1934, director)
• Enter Madame (1935, director)
• Splendor (1935, director)
• Wives Never Know (1936, director)
• It's All Yours (1937, director)
• Thunder in the City (1937) - Casey (uncredited)
• Professor Beware (1938, director)
• Give Me a Sailor (1938, director)
• Never Say Die (1939, director)
• The Cat and the Canary (1939, director)
• Nothing But the Truth (1941, director)
• The Male Animal (1942, director)
• The Crystal Ball (1943, director)
• Stage Door Canteen (1943) - Himself
• Up in Arms (1944, director)
• My Favorite Brunette (1947, director)
• Welcome Stranger (1947, director) - Dr. Morton (uncredited)
• My Girl Tisa (1948, director) - Man on Boat (uncredited)
• Mr. Belvedere Goes to College (1949, director)
• The Great Gatsby (1949, director)
• The Skipper Surprised His Wife (1950, director)
• My Outlaw Brother (1951, director) - Ranger Captain (uncredited)
• Just for You (1952, director)