Albert C. Gannaway

Albert C. Gannaway (April 3, 1920 – August 27, 2008) was an American film director, producer, screenwriter, songwriter, and owner of a record company. He is best known for Stars of the Grand Ole Opry. Gannaway wrote for major artists such as Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Bob Hope.

Career Gannaway produced the children's talent program Half-Pint Party on WCBS-TV and was listed as star and co-owner of It's a Small World, an audience-participation TV program that was being filmed in 1952. Gannaway is best known for Stars of The Grand Ole Opry. Gannaway was the first person to film in 35mm color film. Prior to this success, Gannaway started a record company writing for Nat King Cole, Johnny Mercer, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, among many others.

He directed western films such as Hidden Guns (1956), Raiders of Old California (1957), starring Faron Young, Marty Robbins; Man or Gun (1958), and Plunderers of Painted Flats (1959). Buffalo Gun (1961), starring Webb Pierce; He also directed Rebellion in Cuba (1961) starring Lon Chaney Jr. and Jake La Motta.

He produced and directed the pioneer Daniel Boone, Trail Blazer (1956) along Ismael Rodríguez starring Bruce Bennett in the title role along with Lon Chaney Jr., Faron Young, Kem Dibbs, Damian O'Flynn and Jacqueline Evans. The songs were scored by Gannaway and sang by Hal Levy.

The script of Conspiracy of Hearts (1960) was optioned by Gannaway in 1958. He directed the 1958 drama film No Place to Land, about crop-duster pilots in post-war rural California competing with each other for work and starring John Ireland.

He died on 27 August 2008 at the age of 88.

Filmography Year Title Director Soundtrack Writer 1991 Webb Pierce and Chet Atkins ✓ ✓ 1980 Country Diary ✓ 1966 Mr. Angel ✓ ✓ 1964 Country Music Caravan ✓ 1961 Rebellion in Cuba ✓ ✓ Buffalo Gun ✓ 1959 Plunderers of Painted Flats ✓ ✓ 1958 No Place to Land ✓ ✓ Man or Gun ✓ ✓ 1957 Raiders of Old California ✓ ✓ The Badge of Marshal Brennan ✓ ✓ 1956 Daniel Boone, Trail Blazer ✓ ✓ Hidden Guns ✓ ✓ ✓ 1955 Grand Ole Opry ✓