Stanley Kramer

Found near the Southwest corner of Gower and Hollywood, the star for Stanley Kramer was presented for accomplishments in film. I don't even know the name Stanley Kramer so, for me, he is an old forgotten star. After a cursory search I can see that I should recognize this name. He was responsible for such films as "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" in addition to the "The Defiant Ones" and many other films in the "message" realm. While many studios shied away from making films which overt social commentary, Stanley Kramer independently leaned into using the medium in this way. Born in 1913 and raised in Hell's Kitchen, Kramer was a bit of an insider with his mother working at the New York office of Paramount and his uncle worked in distribution at Universal Pictures. A post collegiate internship at 20th century Fox deterred Kramer from enrolling in law school. Bouncing around in the film industry during the great depression, Kramer gained a vast knowledge of the industry and demonstrated a proficiency in editing. Kramer served in the army from 1943 through the end of the war, contributing to training films. Finding a dearth of jobs available after the cessation of war, Kramer created Screen Plays Inc with three others. The independent realm was less handcuffed than the studios during this era. Able to hire whomever they wanted and rent filming space instead of maintaining immense lots, the independent film makers had less overhead and far more intellectual freedom. Starting in the mid 1950's Kramer began directing in addition to production and had great success. Other notable films are High Noon (as producer 1952), The Caine Mutiny (1954 as producer), Judgement at Nuremberg (1961), It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), Inherit the Wind (1960). Stanley Kramer passed away in 2001 and in 2002 the Producer Guild of America established his eponymous award to honor a production or persons whose contributions illuminate and/or raise public awareness of important social issues.