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IMDbPro

Chester Hale(1897-1984)

  • Choreography
  • Additional Crew
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Was primarily a choreographer of Broadway stage, screen, and ice shows. Began his career in 1915 in New York as a dancer with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, under Nijinsky. Toured with the troupe for two years, after which he joined the Anna Pavlova dance company in Buenos Aires.

Returned to the U.S. and worked as both a performer and a choreographer. Began staging dance numbers in Broadway productions by 1928. Choreographed Irene Castle's vaudeville act that toured the U.S. during the twenties. Formed and managed a Broadway chorus line known as the Chester Hale Girls, and founded the Chester Hale Dance Studio in New York City,

M-G-M brought him to Hollywood, where he staged dance numbers in several movies, including A Night at the Opera (1935), and Rose-Marie (1936). Reportedly taught Greta Garbo the mazurka for Anna Karenina (1935).

Was a contemporary of Busby Berkeley, and made important contributions to dance choreography during the period. Credited with giving Alice Faye, Jessie Matthews, and Miriam Hopkins their first breaks, as chorus girls.

During the 1940's and 1950's staged and directed thirteen editions of the Ice Capades, as well as editions of Holiday on Ice.

Retired in 1959.
BornJanuary 15, 1897
DiedAugust 13, 1984(87)
BornJanuary 15, 1897
DiedAugust 13, 1984(87)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Add photos, demo reels

Known for

Groucho Marx, Kitty Carlisle, Allan Jones, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, and The Marx Brothers in A Night at the Opera (1935)
A Night at the Opera
7.8
  • Choreography
  • 1935
Jean Harlow and William Powell in Reckless (1935)
Reckless
6.4
  • Choreography
  • 1935
Virginia Bruce, Ted Lewis, and Ted Lewis and His Orchestra in Here Comes the Band (1935)
Here Comes the Band
5.8
  • Choreography
  • 1935
Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald in Rose-Marie (1936)
Rose-Marie
6.6
  • Additional Crew
  • 1936

Credits

IMDbPro

Choreography



  • Henry Fonda, Lucille Ball, Agnes Moorehead, and Sam Levene in The Big Street (1942)
    The Big Street
    6.4
    • dance director
    • 1942
  • Warner Baxter in Robin Hood of El Dorado (1936)
    Robin Hood of El Dorado
    5.9
    • dance director: bandit number (uncredited)
    • 1936
  • Groucho Marx, Kitty Carlisle, Allan Jones, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, and The Marx Brothers in A Night at the Opera (1935)
    A Night at the Opera
    7.8
    • dances by
    • 1935
  • Virginia Bruce, Ted Lewis, and Ted Lewis and His Orchestra in Here Comes the Band (1935)
    Here Comes the Band
    5.8
    • dances by
    • 1935
  • Memories and Melodies (1935)
    Memories and Melodies
    5.7
    Short
    • choreographer
    • 1935
  • Jean Harlow and William Powell in Reckless (1935)
    Reckless
    6.4
    • dances staged by
    • 1935
  • Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald in Naughty Marietta (1935)
    Naughty Marietta
    6.5
    • dance director (uncredited)
    • 1935
  • Ramon Novarro and Evelyn Laye in The Night Is Young (1935)
    The Night Is Young
    6.3
    • dance director (uncredited)
    • 1935

Additional Crew



  • Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald in Rose-Marie (1936)
    Rose-Marie
    6.6
    • stager: totem pole dance
    • 1936
  • Freddie Bartholomew, Greta Garbo, Maureen O'Sullivan, Clarence Brown, and Fredric March in Anna Karenina (1935)
    Anna Karenina
    7.0
    • mazurka stager
    • 1935
  • Greta Garbo and Herbert Marshall in The Painted Veil (1934)
    The Painted Veil
    6.5
    • stager: Chinese fantasy
    • 1934
  • Student Tour (1934)
    Student Tour
    5.1
    • dance numbers
    • 1934
  • Maureen O'Sullivan and Robert Montgomery in Hide-Out (1934)
    Hide-Out
    6.9
    • stager: dance numbers (uncredited)
    • 1934

Personal details

  • Height
    • 5′ 10½″ (1.79 m)
  • Born
    • January 15, 1897
    • Jersey City, New Jersey, USA
  • Died
    • August 13, 1984
    • Los Angeles, California, USA
  • Spouse
    • Helen Margaret MarineNovember 20, 1940 - May 11, 1977 (her death)
  • Other works
    Active on Broadway in the following productions:

Did you know

  • Trivia
    Father: Wilbur Johnson Chamberlin; Mother: Laura Moffett.

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