Otis Garrett

Otis Garrett
Born
Otis Edgar Garrett

March 29, 1905
Washington, United States
DiedMay 24, 1941 (aged 36)
Glendale, California, United States
Resting place
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
OccupationsDirector, Writer, Editor
Years active1931–1941 (film)
SpousesElizabeth K. Mertes
(m. 1924; div. 1931)
Earlene Marie Heath
(m. 1935; div. 1939)
RelativesDoris May

Otis Edgar Garrett (March 29, 1905 – May 24, 1941) was an American film editor, screenwriter and film director, perhaps best remembered for being the most frequently employed of Universal's Crime Club directors. He was the brother of silent film actress Doris May and the brother-in-law of actor/producer Wallace MacDonald.

Early life and career

Born in Tacoma, Washington on March 29, 1905, Garrett was the son of Helen Gregory Ellen (née Otis) and George Edgar Garrett. Raised in Tacoma, San Diego, and Los Angeles, he attended the San Diego School of Expression, where his occasional cast-mates included both his sister Helen—aka Doris May—and future fellow Universal helmer Arthur Lubin.

Personal life and death

Garrett was married twice, both marriages ending in divorce. In the spring of 1924, he married Elizabeth Kathryn Mertes, with whom, in 1927, he had a daughter, Patricia. By 1930, the relationship had deteriorated to such an extent that a judge was compelled to order both parties to stop "stealing" their then 3-year-old child from each other. By the spring of 1931, both parties had filed for divorce, each on grounds of mental cruelty. Garrett's sister, by then Mrs. Wallace MacDonald, testified on her brother's behalf, stating that, were he to be awarded custody, she would personally care for the child. By May 31, the judge, having long been urging both sides to reconcile for the sake of the child, finally acknowledged the futility of such hopes and granted the divorce to Mrs. Garrett, but with the stipulation that custody of their child be shared.

On December 20, 1935, Garrett married actress Earlene Marie Heath. Aside from their divorce, reconciliation, second divorce, and some much-publicized alimony litigation, this marriage produced two additional children, a son, Anthony Otis, and a daughter, Judith Lynn.

On May 24, 1941, Garrett died, aged 36, at Doctors and Students Hospital in Glendale, California, survived by his mother, his three children, and his sister. An autopsy revealed his cause of death to be "accidental bromide poisoning that followed a dental operation".

The Associated Press, in its brief but widely disseminated obituary, reported that, at the times of his death, Garrett was "to have been married next August to Miss Susan Cleary of North Hollywood".

Garrett's remains are interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

Filmography

Director

Editor

Screenwriter

Notes

  1. ↑ aka Doris Lee, born Helen Gregory Garrett.
  2. ↑ The 1900 newspaper marriage license listing has her as "Miss Gregory E. Otis", as opposed to her 1910 US Census form entry, which is simply Helen Garrett. Otto Garrett, in his 1940 WW II Draft Registration card, lists her as Mrs. H. Ellen O. Garrett.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "California, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1947", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGFM-XTFD : Fri Apr 04 01:15:35 UTC 2025), Entry for Otis Edgar Garrett and H Ellen O Garrett, 16 Oct 1940.
  2. ↑ Shelley p.150
  3. ↑ "Otis Garrett Dies In Glendale Of Poisoning". The Hollywood Reporter. May 26, 1941. p. 7. ProQuest 2298045348. Garrett directed most of Universal's Crime Club films, and his last megging there was on 'Fireman, Save My Child.'
  4. ↑ Weaver, Tom; Brunas, Michael, Brunas, John (2007). Universal Horrors: The Studio's Classic Films, 1931 1946. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 355. ISBN 978-0-7864-2974-5. "In 1937, Universal struck a deal with the Crime Club, publishers of pulpy whodunits by such prolific writers as Jonathan Latimer. The studio was granted the right to select four of the 52 annually published novels for adaptation. Producer Irving Starr was put in charge of this unit, while former film cutter Otis Garrett frequently handled the directing chores."
  5. 1 2 "Charming Children of San Diego Who Are Visiting Seattle Friends". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Seattle, Washington. July 6, 1915. p. 12. Retrieved September 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. MISS HELEN GREGORY GARRETT and Master Otis Edgar Garrett, children of Mrs. George E. Garrett, of San Diego, Cal., are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Claborn A. Stokes [...] These charming children are popular in Seattle and Tacoma, having a large circle of little friends in both cities. Their father, the late George E. Garrett, was one or the well known newspaper writers of the West and enjoyed a national reputation as an authority on sports.
  6. ↑ "Movie Entertainers Entertained: 'OUR GANG' REMAINS GAY GANG OF PALS; Millions Are Still Enjoying the Comedies of Young Northwest Screen Stars, While Youngsters Enjoy Vacation at Rosedale". The Tacoma Sunday Register. July 28, 1935. p. 1. Retrieved September 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Patricia Garrett's mother, the former Helen Garrett, is remembered by many Tacomans as she spent her girlhood days in Tacoma before becoming famous on the stage as the leading lady of Douglas McLean. She is now Mrs. Wallace McDonald, and with her husband is active in movie affairs. Her brother, Otis Garrett, who also lived in Tacoma for many years, has won acclaim as a scenario writer and is now assistant production manager to the Phil Goldstone unit of MetroGoldwyn-Mayer. He has just finished work on "The Age of Indiscretion," which will be seen in Tacoma soon.
  7. ↑ "Greta Falls and Vicinity". The Great Falls Leader. Seattle, Washington. July 6, 1915. p. 12. Retrieved September 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. A marriage license was today granted to Mr. George E. Garrett, of Seattle, and Miss Gregory E. Otis, of Minneapolis.
  8. ↑ "United States, Census, 1910", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MGJZ-JHQ : Wed Aug 13 17:39:16 UTC 2025), Entry for George A Garrett and Helen Garrett, 1910.
  9. ↑ "Charming Children of San Diego Who Are Visiting Seattle Friends". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Seattle, Washington. July 6, 1915. p. 12. Retrieved September 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. MISS HELEN GREGORY GARRETT and Master Otis Edgar Garrett, children of Mrs. George E. Garrett, of San Diego, Cal., are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Claborn A. Stokes [...] These charming children are popular in Seattle and Tacoma, having a large circle of little friends in both cities. Their father, the late George E. Garrett, was one or the well known newspaper writers of the West and enjoyed a national reputation as an authority on sports.
  10. ↑ "United States, Census, 1920", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHQ1-4PR : Sun Jan 19 22:36:52 UTC 2025), Entry for Gregory E Garrett and Helen G Garrett, 1920.
  11. ↑ "Expression Pupils Will Give Plays". The San Diego Sun. October 10, 1914. p. 5. Retrieved September 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. The children who play in 'The School Entertainment,' are Helen Garrett, Frances Turner, Rity Handschy, Helen Ormaby, Marquita Young, Jessie Neil, Ella Hansen, Belle Altenburgh, Otis Garrett and Willam Gutteron.
  12. ↑ "Pupils of School Give Recital". The San Diego Sun. October 31, 1914. p. 5. Retrieved September 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. play, "A Bowery Night School" by Frederick C. Boeckh, William Cyr, Arthur Lubin, Warren, Melles, William Gutteron, Ariel Melles, Otis Garrett and Salvador Castro:
  13. ↑ "Hollywood in Production: Universal". Los Angeles Daily News. August 16, 1940. p. 31. Retrieved September 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. 'MEET THE WILDCAT,' melodrama for Margaret Lindsay and Ralph Bellamy. Mixed types. Director, Arthur Lubin; assistant, Joseph McDonough. 'FIREMAN, SAVE MY CHILD,' comedy for Baby Sandy, Erwin and Una Merkel. Mixed types. Directors, Otis Garrett and Paul Gerard Smith; assistant, Vernon Keays.
  14. ↑ "Vital Record: Marriage Licenses". The Los Angeles Times. October 10, 1914. p. 5. Retrieved September 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. The following marriage licenses were issued yesterday. Name and age given. [...] GARRETT–MERTES. Otis Edgar Garrett, 19; Elizabeth K. Mertes, 20.
  15. 1 2 3 "Obituary: Otis Garrett". Daily Variety. May 26, 1941. p. 7. ProQuest 3312124135. Funeral Services for Otis Garrett, 36, director, will be held tomorrow in the Little Church of the Flowers, Forest Lawn. Garrett, who had been recuperating from a stomach operation performed last March, died Saturday afternoon at the Doctors and Surgeons Hospital, Glendale. He is survived by his mother and three daughters, the eldest, Patricia, born during his first marriage, to Mrs. Elizabeth Garrett, and Antonia[sic] and Judith, born during his second marriage, to Earlene Heath. He was divorced twice.
  16. ↑ "California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGL4-27HK : Sun Mar 10 04:32:24 UTC 2024), Entry for Patricia Garrett and Otis Edgar Garrett, 21 October 1927.
  17. ↑ "Child 'Stealing' to Stop". The Los Angeles Times. June 30, 1930. p. 18. Retrieved September 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Superior Judge Westover has ordered Elizabeth K. Garrett and Otis E. Garrett, film editors, and divorce contestants, to stop 'stealing' their 3-year-old daughter from each other, and has ordered the child placed in a neutral home. Meanwalle a court referee has been ordered to investigate and determine which of the two parents should be awarded custody
  18. ↑ "Sister Aids Man In Child Fight". Los Angeles Daily News. May 15, 1931. p. 27. Retrieved September 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Declaring that Elizabeth Garrett, film studio stenographer, was unfit to care for her 2-year-old daughter, Mrs. Helen McDonald, sister of Otis Edgar Garrett, her husband, yesterday told Superior Judge Thomas L. Ambrose that she would care for the child if custody was awarded to the husband. Mrs. Garrett and her husband, a Hollywood editor, are each seeking a divorce on the grounds of mental cruelty.
  19. ↑ "Judge Fails as Cupid, Cuts Tie". Los Angeles Daily News. May 28, 1931. p. 6. Retrieved September 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Efforts of Superior Judge Thomas L. Ambrose to effect a reconciliation between Otis Edgar Garrett, film editor, and Elizabeth Kathryn Garrett, former actress, failed yesterday and the judge was forced to sign a decree of divorce in favor of Mrs. Garrett and place custody of their daughter, aged: 3, under their joint control.
  20. ↑ "Untitled". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. October 10, 1914. p. 5. Retrieved September 8, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. ANNOUNCEMENTS being received here of the marriage of Miss Earlene Heath, daughter or Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Heath, former residents, to Otis Garrett, that took place on December 20. Mrs. Garrett's last film work was in 'ColIegiate.' Her husband is a producer with M.-G.-M.
  21. ↑ "California, County Marriages, 1849-1957", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8JL-X4C : Sun Mar 10 20:35:28 UTC 2024), Entry for Otis E Gerrett and Earlene Marie Heath, 20 December 1935.
  22. ↑ "Shotgun Threat Wins Decree For Actress". Los Angeles Daily News. February 13, 1938. p. 15. Retrieved September 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. He would stay out nearly every night and get drunk. 'One time he came home at 3 a. m. and threatened to 8 sawed-off shotgun and "clear out the whole damn works"!' With such a summary of her married life with Otis G. Garrett, motion picture director, Mrs. Earlene Garrett, known 'on the screen as Earlene Heath, yesterday won a divorce suit before Superior Judge Samuel R. Blake. Under a property agreement, Garrett agreed to pay $3040 in the next two years for the support of Mrs. Garrett and their 6-month-old son, Anthony Otis Garrett.
  23. ↑ "Sues Mate Second Time". Los Angeles Examiner. July 9, 1939. p. 7A. Retrieved September 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Two months after she had been granted an interlocutory decree of divorce, Earlene Heath Garrett, former film actress, reconciled with her husband, Director Otis E. Garrett, and had the decree set aside. That was in April, 1938. But even though the pair had another child, the reconciliation proved a failure and they separated a month ago, it was revealed that Mrs. Garrett again filed suit for divorce. In the complaint, [...] Mrs. Garrett seeks custody of the two children, 6-months-old Judith Lynn and Anthony, 2. Mrs. Garrett, who was once known as the "Bluebonnet Girl" of the Texas Exposition, was granted her first divorce from the director on February 15 last on grounds of mental cruelty. Garrett did not contest the action.
  24. 1 2 "Otis Garrett". Los Angeles Examiner. May 27, 1941. p. 13. Retrieved September 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Funeral services for Otis Garrett, 36, film director, will be conducted at 1 p. m. today in the Little Church of the Flowers, Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where interment will be made. Garrett succumbed last Saturday to accidental bromide poisoning that followed a dental operation, an autopsy determined. Garrett leaves his mother, Mrs. Helen Garrett; three children, Patricia, Anthony and Judy, and a sister, Mrs. Wallace McDonald, all of North Hollywood.
  25. ↑ Associated Press (May 26, 1941). "Film Director Dies". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. p. 18. Retrieved September 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. The death of Otis Garrett, 36, film director, was disclosed Monday. He died last Saturday after an operation. Garrett was film editor and writer until 1935, when he began directing. He was to have been married next August to Miss Susan Cleary of North Hollywood.

Bibliography