Walter Lang entered the film industry in New York when he got a job as a clerk in the office of a film production company. He worked his way up to assistant director, and directed his first film in 1926. By the time sound arrived Lang was already a well-regarded director, but he left the business at that time to try his hand as an artist in Paris. ...
[on Carole Lombard] One of my closest friends and the godmother of my son -- and a lovely person, a great person.
2
[on Alice Faye] Alice had a quality, a feminine warmth that none of the other girls seemed to have at the time, not Betty Grable or any of them; and for that reason I think she was a star. There was a certain warmth to her, a simplicity that made her very valuable, I think.
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Fact
1
Clark Gable was Godfather to Walter Lang's son Richard Lang. He gave Richard his Oscar to use as a hammer. Years later, Richard had the beat up Oscar renewed to give to Clark Gable's son.
2
According to an interview and article in the Summer 1974 edition of "Focus on Film" Darryl Zanucvk reportedly offered Lang "The Sound of Music," but the director opted to retire. According to Lang, the gangster picture he made with Leo Carillo, "Hell Bound" became the first independent film to play at the Radio City Music Hall.
3
Lang loved oil-painting, which was one of the reasons he opted to retire.
4
The only time Fox loaned out Lang between 1937 and 1961 was to Paramount for "But Not for Me." He had been friends with Gable for years, and the actor insisted although the pictured was initially postponed when Lang was hospitalized with peritonitis and ulcers.
5
Fritz Lang was Walter Lang's distant uncle.
6
Carole Lombard and Lang became great friends, and she became the godmother of his son.
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