James V. Kern

American actor (1909–1966)

James V. Kern
Publicity Photo of James V. Kern
Born	(1909-09-22)September 22, 1909 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	November 9, 1966(1966-11-09) (aged 57) Encino, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Actor, singer, songwriter, screenwriter, director
Years active	1935–1968

James V. Kern (September 22, 1909, New York City, New York – November 9, 1966, Encino, California) was an American singer, songwriter, screenwriter, actor, and director.

Educated at the Fordham Law School, Kern worked for a while as an attorney. He sang with the George Olsen Trio, and appeared with the Olsen orchestra in the musical Good News. From 1927 to 1939, he sang with and wrote for the Yacht Club Boys quartet, with whom he appeared in several motion pictures.

He became a screenwriter and later a director. In film, he directed mainly "B" pictures. After he moved to television he directed hundreds of series episodes, and was one of the house directors on I Love Lucy in the 1950s.^[1] He directed My Three Sons for most of two seasons in the 1960s. When he died suddenly of a heart attack at age 57, several episodes of the show remained only partially completed for the 1966/67 season; they were completed by director James Sheldon. He joined ASCAP in 1955. His popular-song compositions include "Easy Street," "Lover, Lover," "Little Red Fox," and "Shut the Door."

Filmography

As director

1944: The Doughgirls
1946: Never Say Goodbye
1947: Stallion Road
1948: April Showers
1950: The Colgate Comedy Hour (television series)
1950: The Jack Benny Program (television series)
1950: The Second Woman
1951: Two Tickets to Broadway
1953: Topper (television series)
1955: The Millionaire (television series)
1956: Lum and Abner Abroad
1956: The Gale Storm Show (television series)
1956: I Love Lucy (television series)
1957: Date with the Angels (television series)
1957: Maverick (television series)
1958: The Ann Sothern Show (television series)
1958: 77 Sunset Strip (television series)
1958: The Donna Reed Show (television series)
1960: Pete and Gladys (television series)
1960: My Three Sons (television series)
1961: The Joey Bishop Show (television series)
1965: My Favorite Martian (television series)

As writer

1939: That's Right – You're Wrong
1940: If I Had My Way
1940: You'll Find Out
1941: Look Who's Laughing
1941: Playmates
1943: Thank Your Lucky Stars
1944: Shine On, Harvest Moon
1944: The Doughgirls
1945: The Horn Blows at Midnight
1946: Never Say Goodbye

As actor

1935: Thanks a Million – Member, The Yacht Club Boys (uncredited)
1936: The Singing Kid – Member – The Yacht Club Boys (uncredited)
1936: Stage Struck – Member – The Yacht Club Boys (uncredited)
1937: Artists & Models – Yacht Club Boys Member
1937: Thrill of a Lifetime – Jimmie
1938: Artists and Models Abroad – Member – The Yacht Club Boys (uncredited) (final film role)

As producer

1950: The Jack Benny Program (television series)
1956: Lum and Abner Abroad

References

^ Monush, B.; Sheridan, J. (2011). Lucille Ball FAQ: Everything Left to Know About America's Favorite Redhead. Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. p. 202. ISBN 978-1-55783-933-6.