John Clein Explained

John Clein (1907–?) was an American film producer and film director, he was active in the United States and Britain. He produced and directed the 1939 film Keep Punching, whose cast was entirely composed of African-Americans; Clein himself was light-skinned.^[1]

Biography

Clein was born in 1907 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.^[2]

He received plaudits for his casting efforts.^{[3] [4]} Clein made headlines in 1948 when he was kidnapped and forced to sign a contract for a dancer and an extra.^{[5] [6]}

Filmography

Director

• Keep Punching (1939)^[7]

Producer

• Hearts of Humanity (1932)^[7]
• Two Hearts in Harmony (1935)^[2]
• The Mill on the Floss (1936)^[8]
• Keep Punching (1939)^[7]
• Passport to Shame (1958)
• Dr. Crippen (1962)^[9]

Other roles

• Before I Wake, a.k.a. Shadow of Fear (1956) – credited as "Liaison"^[7]

Theater

• Devils Galore (1945)^[10]
• Swan Song (1946), producer, released as Broadway theatre at Booth Theatre^[11]

Notes and References

1. Book: Hayward, Susan. Cinema Studies: The Key Concepts. April 18, 2006. Routledge. 9781134208913. Google Books.
2. Web site: John Clein. https://web.archive.org/web/20200317223545/https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9fd542fc. dead. March 17, 2020. British Film Institute (BFI).
3. Web site: New York Theatre Critics' Reviews. November 20, 1946. Critics' Theatre Reviews, Incorporated. Google Books.
4. Web site: Chapman. John. May 16, 1946. Psychiatry, Pianists, and Poison Make 'Swan Song' Mild Thriller. subscription. 2021-11-30. Newspapers.com. Daily News (New York City). 609. en.
5. News: 1948-09-14. Producer Says Dancer, Extra Kidnapped Him to Get Contract. 2. The Evening News. 2021-08-02.
6. Web site: September 17, 1948. Pair Must Stand Trial in Kidnapping. subscription. 2021-11-30. Newspapers.com. Los Angeles Times. 7. en.
7. Web site: John Clein . . . 6 July 2020.
8. Web site: October 26, 1939. New Films: "The Mill on the Floss". subscription. 2021-11-30. Newspapers.com. The Boston Globe. 12. en.
9. Web site: The Film Daily: The Daily Newspaper of Motion Pictures. May 2, 1964. Wid's Films and Film Folk Incorporated. Google Books.
10. Web site: March 24, 1945. Lockhart to Play in 'Devils Galore'; John Clein Production Will Begin Rehearsals Monday --Sophie Tucker Signed Mr. Coward's Plans If Five Years Pass". The New York Times. NYTimes.com.
11. Web site: John Willis' Theatre World. November 30, 1945. Crown Publishers.. Google Books.