Stanley Prager

Stanley Prager (January 8, 1917 – January 18, 1972) was an American actor and a television and theatre director.

Career Prager was born in New York City. He spent three years at Johns Hopkins University before working in summer stock and on Broadway, where he appeared in The Skin of Our Teeth and The Eve of St. Mark. He appeared in the film version of Eve of St. Mark and spent the remainder of the decade acting in mostly B-movies, with occasional roles in better films such as A Bell for Adano, Gun Crazy, In the Meantime, Darling, and A Foreign Affair. He told an interviewer in 1969 that as an actor he appeared in “all the parts that Phil Silvers wouldn't play.”

In August 1955, Prager and other performers refused to answer questions when called before the Committee, saying that "I believe that what I think and what I say and with whom I associate is not this committee's concern." In July 1956, Prager was one of seven witnesses, including playwright Arthur Miller, who were cited for contempt of Congress of Congress by the House of Representatives. The other six included stage actress Sarah Cunningham, her husband John Randolph, and actors Lou Polan and George Tyne.

Critic Howard Kissel recounted in 1998 that the backers were wary of casting Prager for the play. The director George Abbott called a meeting of the creative staff and told them of the backers' concerns. He decided to retain Prager. According to a 1976 newspaper account, Abbott decided to renew Prager's contract early in 1955 so that he would not be fired when he appeared before the committee. According to Kissel, Prager was given a run of the play contract in 1954 despite his blacklisting,

He subsequently began directing with Neil Simon's Come Blow Your Horn in 1961. Additional theatre directing credits include Bravo Giovanni, Minnie's Boys, Don't Drink the Water, and 70, Girls, 70.

Prager's television directing credits include The Love Song of Barney Kempinski for ABC Stage 67, Car 54, Where Are You?, and The Patty Duke Show. For producer Sidney Pink, Prager directed two films in Europe: Madigan's Millions the first film to star Dustin Hoffman, and Bang Bang Kid starring Tom Bosley and Guy Madison.

Personal life Prager married actress Georgann Johnson in 1956. They remained together until his death on January 18, 1972, while on a business trip to Los Angeles. The couple had four daughters, Carol, Ann, Sally and Molly.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1944 The Eve of St. Mark Pvt. Glinka Take It or Leave It Herb Gordon In the Meantime, Darling Lt. Philip 'Red' Pianatowski Something for the Boys Corporal Uncredited 1945 Junior Miss Joe - Elevator Operator A Bell for Adano Sgt. Trampani Doll Face Flo's Aide 1946 Behind Green Lights Ruzinsky - Milkman Do You Love Me Jay Dilly Gentleman Joe Palooka Rapadsky 1947 The Shocking Miss Pilgrim Office Lookout Uncredited Stork Bites Man Invisible Stork Voice 1948 Here Comes Trouble Cartoonist Uncredited A Foreign Affair Mike They Live by Night Short Order Man Uncredited Joe Palooka in Winner Take All Reporter You Gotta Stay Happy Jack Samuels Force of Evil Wally 1949 The Lady Takes a Sailor Taxi Driver Uncredited 1950 Gun Crazy Bluey-Bluey Joe Palooka in Humphrey Takes a Chance Ward Uncredited I'll Get By Song Plugger Uncredited Dark City Sammy Uncredited Joe Palooka in the Squared Circle TV Announcer Three Husbands Sharpy - Tout Uncredited1951 M Police Detective Uncredited