Joseph Losey

Joseph Losey (January 14, 1909 - June 22, 1984) was an American theater and film director.

Related Topics:
January 14 - 1909 - June 22 - 1984 - American - Film director

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He was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin. After studying in Germany with Bertolt Brecht, Losey returned to the United States, eventually making his way to Hollywood.

Related Topics:
La Crosse, Wisconsin - Germany - Bertolt Brecht - United States - Hollywood

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During the McCarthy Era, he was investigated for his supposed ties with the Communist Party and was blacklisted by the Hollywood movie studio bosses. His career in shambles, he moved to London, where he continued working as a director.

Related Topics:
McCarthy Era - Communist Party - Blacklisted - Hollywood - Movie studio - London

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His film The Go-Between won the Golden Palm Award at the 1971 Cannes Film Festival. Even in the UK, however, he experienced problems: his first British film, The Sleeping Tiger,a 1954 film noir crime thriller, did not bear his name originally in the credits as director, as the stars of the film, Alexis Smith and Alexander Knox, feared being blacklisted in Hollywood due to working on a film he directed. He was originally slated to direct the 1956 Hammer Films production X the Unknown, after a few days work on the project star Dean Jagger refused to work with a supposed Communist sympathiser and Losey was moved off the project.

Related Topics:
The Go-Between - Golden Palm Award - Cannes Film Festival - UK - The Sleeping Tiger - 1954 - Film noir - Alexis Smith - Alexander Knox - Hollywood - 1956 - Hammer Films - X the Unknown - Dean Jagger - Communist

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Losey died in London in 1984.

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