Andrew V. McLaglen facts for kids

Andrew Victor McLaglen (born July 28, 1920 – died August 30, 2014) was a famous film and TV director. He was born in Britain but became an American citizen. McLaglen was well-known for directing exciting Westerns and adventure movies. Many of his films starred famous actors like John Wayne or James Stewart.

People who knew him said he was a very dependable director. He was great at finishing projects on time and within budget. He helped create many heroic and fun movies for audiences to enjoy.

Early Life and Start in Movies

Andrew McLaglen was born in London, England. His father was the British-American actor Victor McLaglen. When Andrew was very young, his family moved to Hollywood in the early 1920s. He grew up around movie sets because many of his family members worked in films. He even knew famous people like John Wayne and director John Ford from a young age.

Andrew went to several schools, including military institutes and the University of Virginia. During World War II, he couldn't join the military because he was very tall. Instead, he worked at an airplane factory called Lockheed for four years.

Becoming an Assistant Director

After the war ended, Andrew wanted to work in movies. He got a job at Republic Pictures in 1945. He started as a general clerk, helping with office tasks. After two years, he became a second assistant director. This job meant he helped the main director with many important tasks on set.

He worked as an assistant director on several films. Some of these included Killer Shark (1950) and Bullfighter and the Lady (1951). He was even the first assistant director on Bullfighter and the Lady. He also helped on John Ford's famous movie The Quiet Man (1952), which starred his father. Andrew also worked on films with John Wayne, like Big Jim McLain (1952).

He continued to be an assistant director for films made by John Wayne's company, Batjac Productions. These films included Island in the Sky (1954) and The High and the Mighty (1954).

Directing His Own Films

After gaining a lot of experience as an assistant, Andrew McLaglen directed his first movie, Man in the Vault (1956). This was a big step in his career.

His next film was Gun the Man Down (1956), a Western movie. It starred James Arness, who McLaglen had met before. McLaglen also directed his father, Victor McLaglen, in the movie The Abductors (1957).

Directing for Television

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, McLaglen became a very busy television director. He directed many episodes for popular TV shows. He directed 116 episodes of Have Gun – Will Travel and 96 episodes of Gunsmoke. He also directed episodes for shows like Perry Mason, Rawhide, and Wagon Train. He even directed his father in episodes of Rawhide and Have Gun Will Travel.

During this time, he also directed two children's films: Freckles (1960) and The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come (1960).

Big Feature Films

Andrew McLaglen's career took a big leap when he directed McLintock! (1963). This movie starred John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara and was a huge success. McLaglen said this film "put me in the big time." It was the first of five movies he would direct starring John Wayne.

After McLintock!, he directed Shenandoah (1965), which starred James Stewart. This film was also very successful. He then directed The Rare Breed (1966), again with James Stewart. People started to see him as a specialist in outdoor adventure films and Westerns.

He directed many other notable films during this period:

• Monkeys, Go Home! (1967), a Disney movie.
• The Way West (1967), a big Western with Kirk Douglas.
• The Devil's Brigade (1968), a war story with William Holden.
• Bandolero! (1968), a Western starring James Stewart, Raquel Welch, and Dean Martin.

McLaglen then directed three more films in a row with John Wayne:

• Hellfighters (1969), about a real-life firefighter.
• The Undefeated (1969), a Western with Rock Hudson.
• Chisum (1970), another Western.

He continued to direct Westerns like One More Train to Rob (1971) and Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973) with John Wayne. He also directed Fools' Parade (1971) with James Stewart, which he said was his favorite film.

Back to Television and Adventure Films

After a busy period, McLaglen returned to directing for television. He made episodes for shows like Banacek and Hec Ramsey. He also directed TV movies such as The Log of the Black Pearl (1975) and Stowaway to the Moon (1975).

Then, he directed a big adventure film called The Wild Geese (1978). It starred famous actors like Richard Burton, Roger Moore, and Richard Harris. This movie was a huge success and gave McLaglen's career a fresh start.

He followed this success with more action and adventure films:

• Breakthrough (1979), a war film.
• North Sea Hijack (1979), an action film.
• The Sea Wolves (1980), another war movie with Roger Moore and Gregory Peck.

McLaglen also directed more TV projects, including the mini-series The Blue and the Gray (1982), which was about the American Civil War. He directed Brooke Shields in the movie Sahara (1983).

His last feature films were Return from the River Kwai (1989) and Eye of the Widow (1991). After these, Andrew McLaglen retired from Hollywood. He moved to San Juan Island, where he continued to direct plays for the local community theater.

Personal Life

Andrew McLaglen was married four times and had four children. His children include Sharon McLaglen Lannan, Andrew Victor McLaglen II, Josh McLaglen, and Mary McLaglen. Josh and Mary followed in their father's footsteps and also work in the film industry.

Death

Andrew V. McLaglen passed away on August 30, 2014, at the age of 94, in Friday Harbor, Washington.

Films Directed

Television Directed