Sydney L. Miller was an American actor, television director, writer, and songwriter, whose work for Disney included directing episode of the first incarnation of Mickey Mouse Club from 1955 to 1957.
Miller was born in Pennsylvania. His parents were Carl and Bessie Miller, immigrants from eastern Poland, whose families had brought them to the United States as teenagers. Sidney had two older sisters, Sarah and Florence. Their father was a moderately successful tailor, who owned a house and shop, but in 1930, he sold both and took the family out west to Los Angeles.
Miller began his Hollywood career as an actor in small roles and changed his name to "Sidney". Among his acting credits included Boy's Town, Babes in Arms, Strike Up the Band, Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever, and Babes on Broadway with close friend Mickey Rooney. Within Rooney's entourage, Miller expanded his other talents in films, such as a lyricist for several songs Rooney composed for his films. He continued acting despite joining the army and began transition to radio and television where his began his directing career.
While working with Donald O'Connor on The Colgate Comedy Hour, Miller was recruited by Disney to direct new episodes of Mickey Mouse Club. During his tenure, Miller helped implement changes on the show to gain appeal to a teenage audience and with new found creative control, he hired people, such as writers Larry Orenstein, Ray Brenner, and Tom Adair, and choreographer Tom Mahoney, to help revamp the show's look. He would appear on the show as a performer on occasion, but Miller was very demanding when directing the children. He was proposed to direct Babes in Toyland and Rainbow Road to Oz, but as these ideas fell through, Miller had left the studio.
While still acting, Miller continued to be a prolific director for television shows, such as The Ann Sothern Show, Please Don't Eat the Daisies, My Favorite Martian, Bewitched, McHale's Navy, Dr. Kildare, The Addams Family, The Monkees, and Get Smart before his retirement in the 1990s. He died January 10, 2004 in Los Angeles of Parkinson's disease.
Filmography[]
Year | Film | Position |
---|---|---|
1955-1957 | Mickey Mouse Club | Director Actor: "Guest Star Day: Judy Canova, Tweeny England" "Guest Star Day: Sidney Miller" |
1956 | Adventure in Dairyland | Cameo appearance |
1957 | The Wonderful World of Disney | Director: "The Fourth Anniversary Show" |
1995 | The Mickey Mouse Club Story | Himself - Interviewee |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Miller was acquainted with Disney director William Beaudine Sr. prior to Mickey Mouse Club with the latter directing him in several shorts.
External links[]
- Sidney Miller on Wikipedia
- MMC Crew: Sidney Miller