Sidney Lanfield

Stars

Director Born April 20, 1898 in Chicago, Ill.

Sidney Lanfield, who debuted as a director in 1930, began his career as a gag writer for slapstick two-reel comedies.

During his career, Lanfield worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood including Loretta Young, Joan Bennett, Joan Blondell, Ray Milland and Glenn Ford.

He directed "The Hound of the Baskervilles" (1939), which introduced Basil Rathbone to the moviegoing public as Sherlock Holmes.

He went on to direct Bob Hope in "My Favorite Blonde" (1942), "Let's Face It" (1943), "Where There's Life" (1947) and "The Lemon Drop Kid" (1951).

Later in his career, Lanfield moved to television and directed episodes of programs such as "Bachelor Father" with John Forsythe, "McHale's Navy" with Ernest Borgnine and "The Addams Family" with Jackie Coogan.

Lanfield last worked on an episode for the short-lived series "Rango," which starred Tim Conway as an incompetent Texas Ranger.

— Maloy Moore for the Los Angeles Times July 24, 2010