{{Short description|American radio director, producer and actor (1904–1975)}} {{use mdy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Les Mitchel | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = Lester Mandiville Mitchel | other_names = Les Mitchell | birth_date = {{birth date|1904|10|27}} | birth_place = Malinta, Henry County, Ohio, U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|1975|1|12|1904|10|27}} | death_place = Sacramento, California, U.S. | alma_mater = University of Toledo | occupation = Radio and film producer, director and actor; television actor | years_active = 1923–1975 | spouse = Florence Lillian Aubry<br>1925–?<br>Elaine Beeson<br>1939–?<br>Madelon Baker<br>1942–1952; div.<br>Lovita Pauline Scrydloff (née Strohbach)<br>1953–?<br>Tracy Parsons<br>1971 | children = 3 }}
'''Lester Mandiville Mitchel''' (October 27, 1904<ref name="ACA">Armstrong, Alice Catt (1950). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZtFusY5LTuoC&q=october+27+1904+%22les+mitchel%22&dq=october+27+1904+%22les+mitchel%22 Who's Who in Los Angeles County]''. Los Angeles, CA: Who's Who Historical Society. p. 145. {{ISSN|0508-6930}}.</ref> – January 12, 1975<ref name="Vobit">{{Cite news|title=Obituaries: Les Mitchel|author=|date=January 22, 1975|work=Variety|page=94|quote=Les Mitchel, former actor and motion picture-radio director, died Jan. 12 in Sacramento, where he had made his home since 1971. In recent years, he had been active in church work, starting in 1961 and headquartering variously in Oklahoma City, Cleveland and Alburquerque.|id={{ProQuest|1401273197}}}}</ref>) was an American film actor and radio producer, director and actor, known for directing ''Stars over Hollywood'' and ''Backstage Wife'', as well as hosting, producing and directing ''Skippy Hollywood Theatre''.
==Early life== Born in Malinta in Henry County, Ohio,<ref>"Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q236-4FK1 : Thu Oct 26 12:48:53 UTC 2023), Entry for Lester Mandiville Mitchel and Jeremiah Mitchel, 27 Oct 1904.</ref><ref>"California Birth Index, 1905-1995," database 61903/1:1:V25Z-KMZ, Norman S. Macdonnell, November 8, 1916, Los Angeles, California, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Department, Sacramento.</ref> Mitchel was the son of Jeremiah Ezekiel Mitchel and Myrtle Lucy Fairbank.<ref name="ACA"/> He attended the University of Toledo.<ref name="ACA"/>
==Radio career== Mitchel made his radio debut in Detroit in 1935,<ref name="LM2FL">[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-Radio-Daily-IDX/RD-43/RA-1943-08-OCR-Page-0141.pdf "Les Mitchell to Freelance"]. ''Radio Daily''. August 24, 1943. p. 5.</ref><ref name="WVSHS">Hackett, Walter (December 21, 1947). [https://www.newspapers.com/image/205999358/?clipping_id=137502592 "Walt Visits Skippy Hollywood Show"]. ''Lansing State Journal''. p. 65.</ref> later serving as producer, actor, writer and announcer on several Detroit stations.<ref>[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/36-OCR/1936-02-01-BC-OCR-Page-0040.pdf "Behind the Microphone"]. ''Broadcasting''. February 1, 1936. p. 40.</ref><ref>[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/38-OCR/1938-03-01-BC-OCR-Page-0026.pdf "WTOL Completes Staff, Headed by M. E. Kent; Dedicated on Feb. 27"]. ''Broadcasting''. March 1, 1938. p. 26.</ref> He joined WBBM in Chicago as a producer in 1939 and four years later was appointed assistant program director in charge of commercial broadcasts in 1943.<ref name="LM2FL"/>
On May 31, 1942, on WBBM, Mitchel directed the ''Columbia Workshop's'' world premiere presentation of poet Kenneth Patchen's radio play ''The City Wears a Slouch Hat'', accompanied by a five-member percussion ensemble performing John Cage's score, conducted by the composer. The cast included Mitchell's soon-to-be wife Madelon Grayson (né Baker), Les Tremayne, Forrest Lewis, Jonathan Hole, Frank Dane, and John Larkin.<ref>Fetterman, William (1996). ''[https://archive.org/details/johncagestheatre0000fett/page/8/mode/2up?q=%22On+May%22 John Cage's Theatre Pieces : Notations and Performances]''. Amsterdam, Netherlands : Harwood Academic Publishers. p. 8. {{ISBN|3-7186-5643-4}}.</ref>
In August 1942, Mitchel succeeded Blair Walliser as director of ''The Romance of Helen Trent''.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Les Mitchell Succeeds Lieut. Blair Walliser|author=|date=August 12, 1942|work=Variety|page=33|quote=Les Mitchell, WBBM-CBS producer in Chicago, is the new director of the 'Romance of Helen Trent,' succeeding Blair Walliser, who becomes a lieutenant in the United States Coast Guard. Mitchell has produced numerous shows for CBS, including 'Manhattan Mother,' 'Stepmother' and the current WBBM war service program, 'The Midwest Mobilizes.'|id={{ProQuest|1285796070}}}}</ref> In June 1944, he was hired as director of ''The Dreft Star Playhouse''.<ref>{{Cite news|title='Tomorrow' Exit Cues Dreft Show Switch|author=|date=June 21, 1944|work=Variety|page=32|quote=Dreft 'Star Playhouse,' currently heard 9:45-10 A.M. (CWT) over NBC will move to 11:30-11:45 slot, July 3, replacing 'Brave Tomorrow which bows out June 30. [...] Carl Stanton, of Dancer, Fitzgerald and Sample, is the producer with Les Mitchell directing. Show will get full network.|id={{ProQuest|1285838202}}}}</ref> At approximately the same time, Mitchel succeeded Paul Pierce as producer-director of ''Stars Over Broadway''.<ref>Dunning, John (1998). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=EwtRbXNca0oC&pg=PA634&dq=%22les+mitchel%22+%22stars+over+hollywood%22 On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio]''. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 634. {{ISBN|978-0-19-507678-3}}.</ref><ref>Ferris, Earle (July 6, 1944). [https://www.newspapers.com/image/998858667/?clipping_id=136845872 "Who's News?"]. ''Gonzales Tribune''. p. 1.</ref>
From 1947 to 1950, Mitchel produced, directed and hosted ''Skippy Hollywood Theatre'';<ref name="WVSHS"/><ref name="WTreLM">Taliaferro, Walt (July 21, 1949). [https://www.newspapers.com/image/689564645/?clipping_id=137503503 "Les Mitchel Selfish—He Gives Time to Beginners"]. ''Los Angeles Daily News''. p. 29.</ref> he also occasionally starred on the show.<ref>Palmer, Zuma (November 28, 1949). [https://www.newspapers.com/image/683936872/?clipping_id=137503010 "Trip to England Bears Good Fruit; Triple Task"]. ''Los Angeles Citizen-News''. p. 20.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/220168386/?clipping_id=125275504 "Annual Presentation of Easter Classic on Skippy Theatre"]. ''The Shreveport Times''. April 2, 1950. p. 29.</ref><ref name="LFP!HDC">{{Cite news|title=Listen for Phone! Hundred-Dollar Call|author=Van Pelt, Rita|date=December 15, 1949|work=The Washington Post|page=26|quote=Les Mitchell [sic], not usually heard on the Skippy Hollywood Theater program because of his producing and directing chores, will step before the microphone as a star when the Theater brings to the air 'Best Performance,' the story of an egotistical and ruthless screen star at 10:30 tonight. The station is WAGA-CBS.|id={{ProQuest|1533173451}}}}</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/799079151/?clipping_id=139986923 "Radio and Television"]. ''The Memphis Scimitar''. July 20, 1950. p. 20. "Les Mitchel, producer and director of the Skippy Hollywood Theater, takes the leading role in 'Perfect Gentleman' on tonight's program, portraying a self-made man who has risen to the top in business and hires a pretty coach to tutor him in the social amenities."</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times/139993822/ "Radio and Television"]. ''Tampa Bay Times''. September 21, 1950. p. 26. "Les Mitchel, producer-director-host of CBS' Skippy Hollywood Theatre,' will star in its production, 'Stormbound,' tonight at 10:30 over WDAE. Mitchel plays an author whose book creates a nationwide turmoil. The book, according to the author, was written about an actual occurrence when he was stormbound and rescued by people from a lost continent, supposed to be living on Mount Shasta. Featured with Mitchel is Lurene Tuttle."</ref>
In 1951, he directed 26 episodes of Orson Welles's ''The Adventures of Harry Lime''.<ref>Ames, Walter (July 1, 1951). [https://www.newspapers.com/image/381315875/?clipping_id=137503705 "Crime Pays---On TV and Radio in Britain; Cantor Will Bow Out"]. ''Los Angeles Times''. pt. IV, pg. 8.</ref>
As of October 1958, Mitchel was an instructor at the Virginia Rose School of Arts in Sunland-Tujunga, Los Angeles.<ref>Rich, Allen (October 17, 1958). [https://www.newspapers.com/image/580355766/?clipping_id=141906044 "Listening Post and TV Review"]. ''Valley Times''. p. 22.</ref> The following year he produced, directed, and starred in a revival of ''Death Takes a Holiday'', playwright Walter Ferris's English-language adaptation of Alberto Casella's ''La morte in vacanza''.<ref>Von Blon, Katherine (June 24, 1959). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/137503289/ "'Death Takes a Holiday' Done on Metro Stage"]. ''The Los Angeles Times''. p. 29.</ref>{{efn|Ferris's adaptation was the basis for the like-named 1934 film starring Fredric March.}}
==Film and television== Mitchel's 1951 documentary short subject, ''Maya Are People'', was acquired the following year by the ''San Diego Museum of Man'' and screened on April 22, 1952.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/567522009/?clipping_id=141914387 "Anthropology Films Will Be Shown at SD's Balboa Park"]. ''Times-Advocate''. April 5, 1952. p. 3.</ref>
A second short subject, ''People of Oaxaca''<ref name="TSBobit"/><ref name="EFG, V 11">Krahn, Frederic A., ed. (1953). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=5lMIAQAAIAAJ&q=%22people+of+oaxaca%22 Educational Film Guide, Volume 11]''. H. H. Wilson Company. p. 926.</ref> (likely made during the same visit to Mexico and presumably now lost), concerns the Zapotec peoples of Oaxaca in southern Mexico.<ref name="TCErePoO">[https://www.newspapers.com/image/100740978/?clipping_id=142212055 "Mexico Filmed"]. ''The Cincinnati Enquirer''. August 8, 1954. p. 50. Retrieved February 27, 2024.</ref><ref name="EFG, V 11"/> The film received what may have been its world premiere in November 1952 on WGAL in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where it aired on consecutive Saturday mornings, November 8 and 15.<ref name="PoO@WGAL">[https://www.newspapers.com/article/intelligencer-journal/142211807/ "WGAL-TV, Channel 4: Saturday, November 8, 1952"]. ''Intelligencer Journal''. November 8, 1952. p. 14. Retrieved February 27, 2024. See also: *[https://www.newspapers.com/image/557998893/?clipping_id=142211862 "WGAL-TV, Channel 4: Saturday, November 15, 1952"]. ''Intelligencer Journal''. November 15, 1952. p. 14.</ref> It next surfaced with Mitchel's ''Maya'' on October 17, 1954, as the two formed the back end of a trio of shorts screened at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, New York.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/135586946/?clipping_id=142212253 "Gallery Schedules, Films, Tour Today"]. ''Democrat and Chronicle''. October 17, 1954. p. 10B. Retrieved February 27, 2024.</ref> It returned to the Gallery three weeks later, minus ''Maya'' and grouped intentionally with two utterly unrelated shorts.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle/142211693/ "Museum to Show 3 Movies Today"]. ''Democrat and Chronicle''. November 7, 1954. p. 6B. Retrieved February 27, 2024.</ref> Subsequent sightings extend at least as far as February 1959, when the film was screened at the main branch of the Cincinnati Public Library.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer/142211639/ "Mirror of the City"]. ''The Cincinnati Enquirer''. February 19, 1959. p. 5-A. Retrieved February 27, 2024.</ref>
==Later career== Beginning in 1961 and continuing through 1973, Mitchel was a prominent figure in the Religious Science movement.<ref name="Vobit"/><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/450228859/?clipping_id=137512993 "Discover Your Power: 10 Weeks to a Great New Life"]. ''The Daily Oklahoman''. October 4, 1966. p. 46.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/620204762/?clipping_id=137513771 "The Church of Religious Science"]. ''The Sacramento Bee''. February 3, 1973. p. 15.</ref> At his death, ''Variety'' reported that this portion of his career was "headquartered, variously, in Oklahoma City, Cleveland and Alburquerque." Contemporaneous newspaper listings indicate that, for at least one six month period (December 1964–May 1965), Mitchel hosted a 30-minute, weekly, eponymous Sunday evening radio program on KTOK in Oklahoma City.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-oklahoman/141976415/ "Radio Logs"]. ''The Daily Oklahoman''. November 29, 1964. p. TV-22.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/451785689/?clipping_id=141976467 "Radio Logs"]. ''The Daily Oklahoman''. May 30, 1965. p. TV-22</ref> ''The Sacramento Bee'' confirms that he founded Religious Science Churches in Oklahoma City in 1964—during which time he also helped establish one in Albuquerque—and Cleveland in 1968,<ref name="TSBobit">[https://www.newspapers.com/image/620625024/?clipping_id=142132888 "Obituaries: Dr. Lester Mitchel"]. ''The Sacramento Bee''. January 14, 1975. p. B2.</ref> before settling in Sacramento in 1971, where he succeeded the outgoing Rev. Lester M. Bashara as minister of the Sacramento Church of Religious Science.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/619499073/?clipping_id=142140843 "Rev. Bashara Accepts Post in St. Louis"]. ''The Sacramento Bee''. February 13, 1971. p. 13.</ref> Upon his death, he was succeeded by his then wife, the former Tracy Parsons.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/620615636/?clipping_id=142133248 "Woman Pastor"]. ''The Sacramento Bee''. January 25, 1975. p. A13.</ref>
==Personal life and death== Mitchel was married at least five times: to Florence Lillian Aubry in 1925;<ref>"Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQ72-GLS : Sat Oct 21 06:15:52 UTC 2023), Entry for Lester Mitchell and Jerry, 31 Jul 1925.</ref><ref name="CCB&DR">"California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGL7-T9XG : Sun Oct 15 14:41:18 UTC 2023), Entry for Dolores Joyce Mitchell and Lester Mandeville Mitchell, 14 Aug 1927.</ref> to Elaine Beeson, as of 1939;<ref>[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Stations/IDX/Station-Album-IDX/W/WTOL-Personalities-1939-OCR-Page-0004.pdf "Station Manager"]. WTOL. 1939.</ref> to Madelon Grayson (née Baker) from 1942 to 1952,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Behind the Mike|author=|date=October 19, 1942|work=Broadcasting|page=35|quote=LES MITCHELL [sic], producer of WBBM, Chicago, and Madelon Grayson, radio actress, were married Oct. 10 by Dr. Preston Bradley, radio preacher. O. J. Neuwerth, WBBM producer, was best man.|id={{ProQuest|1014949613}}}}</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/385567355/?clipping_id=136691217 "Can't Live With 'Genius,' Says Wife; Gets Divorce"]. ''The Los Angeles Times''. December 12, 1952. p. 41.</ref> to Lovita Pauline Scrydloff (née Lohbach) in March 1953,<ref name="LMM&LPS">"California, County Marriages, 1850-1953", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K86Z-9DC : Thu Oct 19 16:53:13 UTC 2023), Entry for Lester Mandeville Mitchel and Lovita Pauline Scrydloff, 19 Dec 1953.</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=New Incorporations|author=|date=June 4, 1947|work=The Hollywood Reporter|page=10|quote=All American Films, Inc.; motion pictures and TV photoplays; attorney, Simon Taub; Directors, Les Mitchell, Lovita Mitchell, Phyllis Fredean|id={{ProQuest|2338130489}}}}</ref> and, from 1971 until his death, Tracy Parsons,<ref>"Nevada Marriage Index, 1956-2005", FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VVJ3-Q6L : 20 September 2019), Lester M Mitchel and Tracy Parsons, 4.</ref> with whom he had a daughter, Leslie Mitchel.<ref name="TSBobit"/> Mitchel had at least two other children, including a daughter, Delores, with his first wife,<ref name="CCB&DR"/> and a son, Jerry, with his second.<ref>"United States Census, 1940", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K49M-BSX : Tue Nov 28 18:40:04 UTC 2023), Entry for Lester M Mitchell and Elaine Mitchell, 1940.</ref>
A longtime resident of Sunland-Tujunga,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/pasadena-independent/141907197/ "All in the Business"]. ''Pasadena Independent''. June 24, 1949. p. 23.</ref> Mitchel attained a double distinction in 1950: becoming both the neighborhood's first honorary mayor{{efn|The honorary mayoralty continued through at least 1952.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/580119434/?clipping_id=137068812 "Twin Cities Open Boys' Ball Loops; Kiwanis Club Launches Boys' Ball League"]. ''Valley Times''. June 27, 1951. p. 11.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/valley-times/142129486/ "Over Our Valley: Poppy Day Saturday in S-T Area"]. ''North Hollywood Valley Times''. May 22, 1952. p. 19.</ref>}} and the president of the local chamber of commerce.<ref>Dickinson, Vonnie (May 3, 1955). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/valley-times/141904156/ "Valley Mayors: Mayor's Job Open in Sunland - Tujunga; Twin Cities First"]. ''Valley Times''.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/579880562/?clipping_id=141907965 "Mitchel Head of C. of C."]. ''Valley Times''. December 31, 1949. p. 3.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/los-angeles-evening-citizen-news/141907340/ "Les Mitchel Named Booster Group Head"]. ''Los Angeles Evening Citizen-News''. January 5, 1950. p. V-11.</ref>
==Filmography== ===Film=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! width="250px"| Title ! class="unsortable" | Role ! class="unsortable"| Notes |- | 1949 || ''Once More, My Darling'' || None || Dialogue director (uncredited)<ref>{{Cite news|title=STUDIO PERSONNELITIES|author=|date=April 2, 1949|work=Boxoffice|page=44|quote=Universal-International: Les Mitchel, producer, director and m.c. of NBC's 'Hollywood Theatre' program, makes his film debut as dialog director on 'Come Be My Love.'|id={{ProQuest|1505840661}}}}</ref> |- | 1950 || ''The Return of Jesse James'' || None || Dialogue director,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/los-angeles-evening-citizen-news/142281291/ "Radio-TV Briefs"]. ''Los Angeles Evening Citizen News''. May 5, 1950. p. 22. Retrieved February 28, 2024. See also: *[https://www.newspapers.com/image/919168364/?clipping_id=142281343 "Dialogue Director"]. ''The Press of Atlantic City Radio Guide''. May 14, 1950. p. 1. *{{Cite news|title=Voices & Faces: Ed Wynn Looks at Television as Medium for Good or Harm|author=Steinhauser, Si|date=May 28, 1950|work=The Pittsburgh Press|page=57|quote=Les Mitchel, producer-director of CBS ''Skippy Hollywood Theatre'', has signed with Lippert Productions as dialogue director of its newest film, 'The Return of Jesse James.'|id={{ProQuest|2271887491}}}}</ref> assistant producer<ref>{{Cite news|title=Production|author=|date=May 22, 1950|work=Broadcasting, Telecasting|page=66|quote=Les Mitchel, producer-director of CBS ''Skippy Hollywood Theatre'', named assistant producer of Lippert Productions, Los Angeles, forthcoming feature movie 'The Return of Jesse James.'|id={{ProQuest|1401184859}}}}</ref> (uncredited) |- | 1951 || ''Maya Are People'' || Self (uncredited) || Documentary short subject, directed by Mitchel<ref name="GAreMAP">Alexander, Geoff (2014). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=CqCdAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA17 Films You Saw in School: A Critical Review of 1,153 Classroom Educational Films (1958–1985) in 74 Subject Categories]''. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 17. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-7263-5}}</ref> |- | 1951 || ''People of Oaxaca'' || Self (uncredited) || Documentary short subject, directed by Mitchel<ref name="TSBobit"/><ref name="EFG, V 11"/><ref name="PoO@WGAL"/><ref name="TCErePoO"/> |- | 1957 || ''Outlaw's Son'' || Bill Somerson ||<ref>{{Cite news|title=Film Reviews: Outlaw's Son|author=|date=July 10, 1957|work=Variety|page=6|quote=Deputy Marshal Ralph Stryker – Robert Knapp; Bill Somerson – Les Mitchel; Phil Costain – Guy Prescott [...] Among large cast, young Stafford, Eddie Foy III, Miss Rogers, John Pickard, Robert Knapp, Les Mitchel and Guy Prescott turn in capable performances despite roles sometimes being abbreviated to little meaning.|id={{ProQuest|1286095781}}}}</ref> |- |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! class="unsortable" | Role ! class="unsortable"| Notes |- | 1956 || ''Dragnet'', episode "The Big Revision" || Unknown || <ref name="MNF">Hayde, Michael J. (2001). ''My Name's Friday: The Unauthorized But True Story of Dragnet and the Films of Jack Webb''. Nashville, TN: Cumberland House. p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=IosyS2rjwMgC&pg=PA277&dq=%22the+big+revision%22+%22les+mitchel%22 277], [https://books.google.com/books?id=IosyS2rjwMgC&pg=PA283&dq=les+mitchel%22 283]. {{ISBN|1-58182-190-5}}.</ref> |- | 1956 || ''The Roy Rogers Show'', ep. "Head for Cover" || Unknown || <ref name="W&FF&TC">Lentz, Harris M. (1996). ''Western and Frontier Film and Television Credits 1903-1995, Volume 2''. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. pp. [https://archive.org/details/westernfrontierf0002lent/page/1710/mode/2up?q=%22les+mitchell%22 1710], [https://archive.org/details/westernfrontierf0002lent/page/1712/mode/2up?q=%22Les+Mitchell%22 1712]. {{ISBN|0786402180}}.</ref> |- | 1956 || ''The Roy Rogers Show'', ep. "Paleface Justice" || Unknown || <ref name="W&FF&TC"/> |- | 1956 || ''Sergeant Preston of the Yukon'', ep. "Emergency on Scarface Flat" || Basil Ogden || <ref name="W&FF&TC"/> |- | 1956 || ''The Roy Rogers Show'', ep. "Fighting Sire" || Outlaw || <ref name="W&FF&TC"/> |- | 1957 || ''The Adventures of Jim Bowie'', ep. "The Beggar of New Orleans" || Gorley || {{Citation needed |date=February 2024}} |- | 1958 || ''Dragnet'', ep. "The Big Gent" || Unknown || <ref name="MNF"/> |- |}
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==Further reading== * [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1935/Billboard-1935-04-27-OCR-IDX-24.pdf "Caton Launches 'Drunkard'; Has Plans for Tent Show"]. ''The Billboard''. April 27, 1935. p. 24. * {{Cite news|title=Radio and Education|author=|date=August 1, 1939|work=Broadcasting|page=66|quote=More than 50 radio students of Northwestern U attended a demonstration of radio technique at WBBM, Chicago, July 28 given under the supervision of Stan Thompson, assistant program director. 'Play Selection and Production' was discussed by Joe Ainley, radio director of Aubrey, Moore and Wallace, Chicago agency. Radio production was discussed by Al Chance and Les Mitchell, of the WBBM production staff. The Students watched rehearsals of ''History in the Making'' and ''Gateway to Hollywood Summer Theatre''.|id={{ProQuest|1014941405}}}} * {{Cite news|title=Radio Writers, Directors To Tour the Pacific|author=|date=July 23, 1945|work=Broadcasting, Broadcast Advertising|page=66|quote=|id={{ProQuest|1285664227}}}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|0593076}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mitchel, Les}} Category:1904 births Category:1975 deaths Category:20th-century American male actors Category:American male radio actors Category:American radio directors Category:American radio producers Category:People from Henry County, Ohio Category:Male actors from Ohio