Robert Gist

'Robert Gist' (qv) was a tough kid who grew up around the Chicago stockyards during the Depression. Reform school-bound after injuring another boy in a fistfight, Gist instead ended up in Chicago's Hull House, a settlement house where he first became interested in acting. Work in Chicago radio was followed by stage acting roles in Chicago and on Broadway (in the long-running "Harvey" with 'Josephine Hull' (qv)). While acting in "Harvey", he made his film debut in New York-shot scenes for 20th Century-Fox's Christmas classic _Miracle on 34th Street (1947)_ (qv). Gist was also seen on Broadway in director 'Charles Laughton' (qv)'s "The Caine Mutiny Court Martial" (1954) with 'Henry Fonda' (qv) and 'John Hodiak' (qv). While shooting _Operation Petticoat (1959)_ (qv) in Key West, Florida, Gist told director 'Blake Edwards' (qv) that he was interested in directing; Edwards later hired him to helm episodes of the TV series _Peter Gunn (1958)_ (qv). Gist has also directed for TV's _Naked City (1958)_ (qv), _The Twilight Zone (1959)_ (qv), _Route 66 (1960)_ (qv) and many others.::Tom Weaver <TomWeavr@aol.com> (qv's & corrections by A. Nonymous)