Biography

If only one Hollywood name is synonymous with speed and efficiency, it has to be Lee "Roll 'Em" Sholem. In a 40-year career, he directed upwards of 1300 shows, both features and TV episodes, without once going over schedule--a feat probably unparalleled in Hollywood history. Sholem started out in the cutting room some time in the 1930s. A lengthy association with "Tarzan" producer Sol Lesser brought him in contact with the celebrated William Cameron Menzies, from whom Sholem learned the key to expedient production, and later led to his first directorial assignment (Lesser's Tarzan's Magic Fountain (1949)).
- IMDb mini biography by: Tom Weaver <TomWeavr@aol.com>

During the filming of the episode "Night of Terror" of the original Adventures of Superman (1952) TV series, actress Phyllis Coates (who played Lois Lane) was accidentally knocked out cold by a fellow actor. Sholem promptly revived her himself and hastily had her finish her scenes before her face swelled up.

Sholem tells the story of how, in the late 1940s, Sol Lesser, who was producing the "Tarzan" films--which Sholem was directing--was looking for a new Jane. Sholem found a young, attractive blonde actress who he thought would be good for the part, but Lesser nixed her. Sholem had her read for Lesser a total of eight times, but Lesser kept turning her down, saying she was all wrong, and eventually hired another actress. The one he turned down was Marilyn Monroe.

It's a fascinating business. It's fun. It has its ups and downs, but I'm grateful I've been in it.

[In an interview with Tom Weaver in which he asked if Sholem had any favorites among his 1300 credits] No, no--I enjoyed 'em all. They were great; they were fun. It was enjoyable; it was a great life--BUT I sure wouldn't want to be doing it now.

[on George Reeves] . . . what a sweetheart--everybody loved him, you couldn't help it. He had no ego, none of this crap that you get from most of these guys.

[on Lex Barker] He was an egomaniac--I mean REALLY an egomaniac. He had a birthday while we were shooting one of those "Tarzan" pictures, and the crew got together and purchased a great big mirror for him . . . He was a real egotist, and that's about as much as I can say for Lex.

[on how he came to be hired as a director on "Adventures of Superman" (1952)] I was up for six pictures at Universal. They told me I'd have a better crack at the series than I would at Universal, and I said, "All right, I'll take it".