Hal E. Chester obit

Hal Chester

Hal Chester, who has died aged 91, started his career as a child actor in the United States, but in the mid-1950s moved to Britain, where he is remembered as the producer of films including the classic horror Night of the Demon (1957), as well as School for Scoundrels (1960). 

He was not on the list.

Hal E Chester had two careers in film, first as an actor and then as a producer. As a teenager he featured in several films in the series dealing with the escapades of an unruly group of juveniles known as "The Little Tough Guys", having made his acting debut on Broadway as one of the "Dead End Kids" in Sidney Kingsley's play Dead End (1935). He was known as Hally Chester in those days, but in 1945 he persuaded the poverty row studio Monogram to let him produce a film, changing his name to the more distinguished Hal E Chester.

After six years of "B" movies he moved into weightier fare and produced several outstanding films, including an engrossing thriller that dealt with journalistic ethics, The Underworld Story (1950), and the superior monster movie The Beast from Twenty Thousand Fathoms (1953). He later moved to the UK where his films included the very English comedy School for Scoundrels (1960) and Jacques Tourneur's classic horror tale The Night of the Demon (1957), acknowledged as one of the finest screen depictions of the supernatural, and described by Martin Scorsese as "one of the scariest films ever made".

The son of a property developer, Chester was born Harold Ribotsky in Brooklyn. When his father suffered in the 1929 crash, he helped by working as a magician's assistant at Coney Island and as a Wall Street runner. He was 14 when he was cast in Dead End, the socially conscious drama about New York slums. The youths, known as the Dead End Kids, were particularly effective, and several of them, including Chester, were signed by Warner Bros to appear with Humphrey Bogart in Crime School (1938), an exposé of brutal reform schools.

Chester then moved to Universal to appear in Little Tough Guy (1938), as a newsboy who becomes part of a gang. Chester appeared in four more Little Tough Guy features, two of the studio's popular serials, Junior G-Men (1940) and Sea Raiders (1941), and over a dozen other films, including Juvenile Court (1938), which featured a young Rita Hayworth. His last appearance on screen was in one of the two films he made with the East Side Kids, Mob Town (1941).

After a series of personal appearance tours he returned to Hollywood, producing musical shorts. He then acquired the rights to Ham Fisher's Joe Palooka comic strip about a boxer, initiating a series. The first feature, Joe Palooka, Champ (1946), spawned 10 more movies, concluding with Triple Cross (1951).

Chester had demonstrated that he could handle more prestigious fare with The Underworld Story, which starred his friend Dan Duryea as a reporter with questionable ethics who buys a stake in a provincial journal which flourishes when he sensationalises a murder case. It was followed by The Highwayman (1950), about a Robin Hood type gang. Chester's finest American movie is one of the best of the 1950s films about monsters unleashed by atomic testing. Eugene Lourie's The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms was based on a Ray Bradbury story, and for its special effects Chester hired a master, Ray Harryhausen, who excelled in the two most spectacular sequences, in which the monster strides through Manhattan and reappears at Coney Island, where it becomes entangled with a roller-coaster.

In 1955 Chester moved to the UK, where international co-productions were being set up to take advantage of tax breaks. A man of some dynamism and a natty dresser who enjoyed parties, he could be seen at the best restaurants, became a member of Highgate Golf Club and owned a yacht in the south of France. Chester's first British film, The Weapon (1956), directed by Val Guest, was a well-paced suspense tale in which a small boy accidentally shoots his friend with a gun he has found.

Dana Andrews and Peggy Cummins were the splendid stars of Chester's masterpiece, Night of the Demon, an adaptation of MR James' classic tale of a satanic cult, Casting the Runes. Directed by Jacques Tourneur, whose contribution evokes his earlier work with Val Lewton, and scripted by Chester with Charles Bennett, who wrote several early Hitchcock scripts, the exceptionally eerie film has acquired cult status, though Chester is sometimes criticised for over-riding Tourneur and Bennett, who felt the monster should be left to the imagination. But the film remains both unsettling and unnerving as it unfolds its tale involving a parchment on which a deadly curse is inscribed in runic symbols.

School for Scoundrels, based on Stephen Potter's books on "gamesmanship", was another triumph, with Ian Carmichael as the ingenuous Palfrey, consistently out-smarted by the bounder Delauney, perfectly realised by Terry-Thomas. Because of director Robert Hamer's alcoholism, Chester directed part of the film, as did Cyril Frankel.

It was the producer's last big hit, though The Double Man (1967) starring Yul Brynner, was an acceptable Cold War thriller. His and Hers (1961) was a limp comedy, while The Comedy Man (1964) was a melancholic study of an ageing actor (Kenneth More). Take a Girl Like You (1970), starring Hayley Mills and Oliver Reed, misfired despite the talents of Kingsley Amis, George Melly (writers) and Jonathan Miller (director). It was Chester's last film, and he returned to the US. In 2003 he was partially paralysed by a stroke.

Harold Ribotsky (Hal E Chester), actor and film producer: born Brooklyn 6 March 1921; married 1948 Virginia Wetherly (died 1980; two sons, and one son deceased); died 25 March 2012.

Producer

Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Heder in School for Scoundrels (2006)

School for Scoundrels

5.9

executive producer (as Hal Chester)

2006

 

Take a Girl Like You (2000)

Take a Girl Like You

6.8

TV Mini Series

executive producer

2000

3 episodes

 

Take a Girl Like You (1970)

Take a Girl Like You

5.6

producer

1970

 

Paul Newman in The Secret War of Harry Frigg (1968)

The Secret War of Harry Frigg

6.3

producer

1968

 

Yul Brynner and Britt Ekland in The Double Man (1967)

The Double Man

5.9

produced by

1967

 

Hide and Seek (1964)

Hide and Seek

5.9

executive producer

1964

 

His and Hers (1961)

His and Hers

5.6

executive producer

1961

 

School for Scoundrels (1960)

School for Scoundrels

7.3

executive producer

1960

 

Jack Hawkins in The Two-Headed Spy (1958)

The Two-Headed Spy

6.9

executive producer

1958

 

Dana Andrews and Peggy Cummins in Curse of the Demon (1957)

Curse of the Demon

7.4

producer

1957

 

Herbert Marshall, Steve Cochran, Nicole Maurey, Lizabeth Scott, and Jon Whiteley in The Weapon (1956)

The Weapon

6.2

producer (uncredited)

1956

 

The Bold and the Brave (1956)

The Bold and the Brave

5.7

producer

1956

 

William Bendix, Luther Adler, Gene Evans, Arthur Kennedy, Melinda Markey, Beverly Michaels, Christopher Olsen, Gloria Talbott, William Talman, and Marshall Thompson in Crashout (1955)

Crashout

7.0

producer

1955

 

The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)

The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms

6.6

producer (as Hal Chester)

1953

 

Howard Duff and Coleen Gray in Models Inc. (1952)

Models Inc.

6.2

producer

1952

 

Steve Brodie, Cathy Downs, James Gleason, Don C. Harvey, and Joe Kirkwood Jr. in Joe Palooka in Triple Cross (1951)

Joe Palooka in Triple Cross

5.9

producer

1951

 

Scott Forbes, Philip Friend, and Wanda Hendrix in The Highwayman (1951)

The Highwayman

7.0

producer

1951

 

Robert Coogan, Myrna Dell, James Gleason, Lois Hall, and Joe Kirkwood Jr. in Joe Palooka in the Squared Circle (1950)

Joe Palooka in the Squared Circle

5.8

producer (as Hal Chester)

1950

 

Dan Duryea, Howard Da Silva, and Gale Storm in The Underworld Story (1950)

The Underworld Story

6.9

producer

1950

 

Robert Coogan, Leon Errol, Joe Kirkwood Jr., and Gil Lamb in Joe Palooka in Humphrey Takes a Chance (1950)

Joe Palooka in Humphrey Takes a Chance

6.5

producer

1950

 

Pamela Blake, Robert Coogan, Leon Errol, and Joe Kirkwood Jr. in Joe Palooka Meets Humphrey (1950)

Joe Palooka Meets Humphrey

6.3

producer

1950

 

Leon Errol, Marcel Journet, Joe Kirkwood Jr., Elyse Knox, and Sheila Ryan in Joe Palooka in the Counterpunch (1949)

Joe Palooka in the Counterpunch

5.6

producer

1949

 

David Bruce, Leon Errol, Joe Kirkwood Jr., Lina Romay, and Virginia Welles in Joe Palooka in the Big Fight (1949)

Joe Palooka in the Big Fight

6.7

producer

1949

 

Stanley Clements, William Frawley, Joe Kirkwood Jr., and Elyse Knox in Joe Palooka in Winner Take All (1948)

Joe Palooka in Winner Take All

6.4

producer

1948

 

Brian Aherne, Constance Bennett, Michael O'Shea, and Barry Sullivan in Smart Woman (1948)

Smart Woman

6.2

producer

1948

 

Leon Errol, John Hubbard, Joe Kirkwood Jr., and Elyse Knox in Joe Palooka in Fighting Mad (1948)

Joe Palooka in Fighting Mad

6.3

producer

1948

 

Morris Carnovsky, Leon Errol, Joe Kirkwood Jr., and Elyse Knox in Joe Palooka in the Knockout (1947)

Joe Palooka in the Knockout

7.1

producer

1947

 

Leon Errol, Guy Kibbee, Joe Kirkwood Jr., Elyse Knox, and Lionel Stander in Gentleman Joe Palooka (1946)

Gentleman Joe Palooka

6.3

producer

1946

 

Leon Errol, Joe Kirkwood Jr., Elyse Knox, Joe Louis, and Sam McDaniel in Joe Palooka, Champ (1946)

Joe Palooka, Champ

5.8

producer

1946

 

Actor

Sea Raiders (1941)

Sea Raiders

6.1

Swab (as Hally Chester)

1941

 

Dick Foran, Anne Gwynne, and Billy Halop in Mob Town (1941)

Mob Town

6.0

Gang Member (uncredited)

1941

 

Evelyn Ankers, Gabriel Dell, Gladys George, Huntz Hall, Billy Halop, Barton MacLane, Bernard Punsly, and Bobs Watson in Hit the Road (1941)

Hit the Road

6.0

Trusty (as Hally Chester)

1941

 

Gabriel Dell, Huntz Hall, Billy Halop, Kenneth Howell, Ken Lundy, Bernard Punsly, and The Dead End Kids in Junior G-Men (1940)

Junior G-Men

6.4

Murph (uncredited)

1940

 

Leo Gorcey and Bobby Jordan in Boys of the City (1940)

Boys of the City

5.6

Buster (as Hally Chester)

1940

 

Gabriel Dell, Nan Grey, Huntz Hall, Billy Halop, Bobby Jordan, Bernard Punsly, and The Dead End Kids in You're Not So Tough (1940)

You're Not So Tough

6.7

Second Newsboy (uncredited)

1940

 

East Side Kids (1940)

East Side Kids

5.5

Fred 'Dutch' Kuhn (as Hally Chester)

1940

 

William 'Billy' Benedict, Harris Berger, Hal E. Chester, David Gorcey, Huntz Hall, and Billy Halop in Call a Messenger (1939)

Call a Messenger

6.2

Murph (as Hally Chester)

1939

 

Wendy Barrie, Phyllis Barry, Barlowe Borland, Forrester Harvey, J.M. Kerrigan, Walter Kingsford, Bruce Lester, Edmund Lowe, Anne Nagel, and Michael Vallon in The Witness Vanishes (1939)

The Witness Vanishes

5.7

Copy Boy (uncredited)

1939

 

Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne in When Tomorrow Comes (1939)

When Tomorrow Comes

6.7

Newsboy (uncredited)

1939

 

Harry Carey, William 'Billy' Benedict, Harris Berger, and David Gorcey in Code of the Streets (1939)

Code of the Streets

5.6

Murph (as Hally Chester)

1939

 

Joan Blondell, Pat O'Brien, and Bobby Jordan in Off the Record (1939)

Off the Record

6.0

Reform School Inmate (uncredited)

1939

 

Wendy Barrie, Jackie Cooper, and Edmund Lowe in Newsboys' Home (1938)

Newsboys' Home

6.2

Murphy (as Hally Chester)

1938

 

Edward Everett Horton, Mischa Auer, William 'Billy' Benedict, Harris Berger, Mary Boland, Hal E. Chester, Charles Duncan, David Gorcey, Jackie Searl, and Frankie Thomas in Little Tough Guys in Society (1938)

Little Tough Guys in Society

5.8

Murph (as Hally Chester)

1938

 

Rita Hayworth, Georgie Billings, Richard Selzer, Hal E. Chester, Frankie Darro, Joe De Stefani, David Gorcey, Charles Hart, Paul Kelly, Don Latorre, and Allan Ramsay in Juvenile Court (1938)

Juvenile Court

5.8

Lefty (as Hally Chester)

1938

 

Andy Devine, Ruth Donnelly, William Gargan, and Joy Hodges in Personal Secretary (1938)

Personal Secretary

5.4

Newsboy (uncredited)

1938

 

Billy Halop in Little Tough Guy (1938)

Little Tough Guy

6.1

Dopey (as Hally Chester)

1938

 

Humphrey Bogart, Gabriel Dell, Leo Gorcey, Billy Halop, Bobby Jordan, and Bernard Punsly in Crime School (1938)

Crime School

6.6

Boy (uncredited)

1938

 

Writer

Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Heder in School for Scoundrels (2006)

School for Scoundrels

5.9

Writer (1960 screenplay, uncredited)

2006

 

School for Scoundrels (1960)

School for Scoundrels

7.3

screenplay

1960

 

Dana Andrews and Peggy Cummins in Curse of the Demon (1957)

Curse of the Demon

7.4

screen play

1957

 

Herbert Marshall, Steve Cochran, Nicole Maurey, Lizabeth Scott, and Jon Whiteley in The Weapon (1956)

The Weapon

6.2

original story by

1956

 

William Bendix, Luther Adler, Gene Evans, Arthur Kennedy, Melinda Markey, Beverly Michaels, Christopher Olsen, Gloria Talbott, William Talman, and Marshall Thompson in Crashout (1955)

Crashout

7.0

written for the screen by

1955

 

Leon Errol, Guy Kibbee, Joe Kirkwood Jr., Elyse Knox, and Lionel Stander in Gentleman Joe Palooka (1946)

Gentleman Joe Palooka

6.3

Writer (uncredited)

1946

 

Leon Errol, Joe Kirkwood Jr., Elyse Knox, Joe Louis, and Sam McDaniel in Joe Palooka, Champ (1946)

Joe Palooka, Champ

5.8

story

1946

 

Director

School for Scoundrels (1960)

School for Scoundrels

7.3

Director (uncredited)

1960

 

Herbert Marshall, Steve Cochran, Nicole Maurey, Lizabeth Scott, and Jon Whiteley in The Weapon (1956)

The Weapon

6.2

Director (uncredited)

1956

 

Self

Film Fanfare (1956)

Film Fanfare

5.6

TV Series

Self - Interviewee

1956

1 episode