Chester Erskine (November 29, 1905 – April 7, 1986) was a Hollywood and Broadway director, writer, and producer.He was born in Hudson, New York and studied for a short time at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. His first directing job was Harlem an 1929 all-black revue. He also directed Spencer Tracy in the play The Last Mile in 1930. Erskine's likeness was drawn in caricature by Alex Gard for Sardi's, the New York City theater district restaurant. The picture is now part of the collection of the New York Public Library.In 1932 he began working in Hollywood where his best-known work includes the direction of The Egg and I (1947) and the writing of All My Sons (1948).He died in Beverly Hills, California at the age of 83.
In New York from 1925. Had a brief stint with the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, followed by various jobs on Broadway. Asked to direct an all-black revue, "Harlem", in February 1929. Continued directing for the theatre until 1942. Arrived in Hollywood in 1932, working as writer, producer and director until 1959. Best known for his popular bucolic comedy The Egg and I (1947), starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray.
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Wonderful Country
1959
producer
TV Reader's Digest
TV Series producer - 36 episodes, 1955 - 1956 executive producer - 16 episodes, 1955 - 1956
Witness to Murder
1954
producer
Take One False Step
1949
producer
All My Sons
1948
produced for the screen by
The Egg and I
1947
producer
Midnight
1934
producer - uncredited
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Invincible Six
1970
adaptation
TV Reader's Digest
1956
TV Series teleplay - 1 episode
Lux Video Theatre
1956
TV Series original screenplay - 1 episode
Witness to Murder
1954
original screenplay
Split Second
1953
story
Angel Face
1953
story
Androcles and the Lion
1952
adaptation
The Belle of New York
1952
adaptation
A Girl in Every Port
1952
Take One False Step
1949
screenplay by
All My Sons
1948
written for the screen by
The Egg and I
1947
written for the screen by
The Sailor Takes a Wife
1945
play
Midnight
1934
uncredited
Master of Men
1933
story
My Mistake
1930
Short
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
Irish Whiskey Rebellion
1972
A Change in the Wind
1971
Androcles and the Lion
1952
A Girl in Every Port
1952
Take One False Step
1949
The Egg and I
1947
Frankie and Johnnie
1936
Midnight
1934
as Chester Erskin
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1949
WGA Award (Screen)
Writers Guild of America, USA
Best Written American Drama
All My Sons (1948)
1949
WGA Award (Screen)
Writers Guild of America, USA
The Robert Meltzer Award (Screenplay Dealing Most Ably with Problems of the American Scene)
$16 Million
