Frederick Stephani

Film director

Frederick Stephani

Born	(1903-06-13)June 13, 1903 Bonn, Germany
Died	October 31, 1962(1962-10-31) (aged 59) Los Angeles, California
Known for	Filmmaking
Notable work	Flash Gordon

Frederick Stephani (June 13, 1903 – October 31, 1962)^[1] was a screenwriter and film director. He is best known for co-writing and directing the 13-chapter science fiction serial Flash Gordon in 1936. The serial became Universal's second highest-grossing productions that year.^[2] Despite its success, this was the first and only serial Stephani directed over the course of his career, possibly due to its shortcomings in special effects and overall production values, even by contemporary standards.^[3] Stephani continued to write, produce and direct feature films and television episodes into the 1960s.

Selected filmography

Flash Gordon (1936) - writer and director
Fast Company (1938) - producer
Tarzan's New York Adventure (1942) - producer
Steve Randall (1952, TV series) - writer and director
Passport to Danger (1954, TV series) - writer and director
Bombs on Monte Carlo (1960) - writer
The Deputy (1961, TV series) - director

References

^ Kinnard, Roy; Crnkovich, Tony; Vitone, R.J. (2008). The Flash Gordon Serials, 1936-1940: A Heavily Illustrated Guide. p. 13. ISBN 978-0786434701.
^ Fischer, Dennis (2000). Science Fiction Film Directors, 1895-1998. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 15. ISBN 0-7864-0740-9.
^ Fletcher, Anthony (2009). Don't Dare Miss the Next Thrilling Chapter. p. 97. ISBN 978-1936107186.