Editing George Stevens (section)

===1933–1935: Early feature works===
Six months later, Stevens was hired by Universal Pictures and collaborated with Warren Doane, a former Roach general manager, and [[James W. Horne]], Stevens's cousin, on several two-reel comedies, such as ''Yoo Hoo'' (1932) and ''Should Crooners Marry?'' (1933).{{sfn|Moss|2004|p=27}} These comedies featured several actors, including [[James Gleason]], [[Richard "Skeets" Gallagher]], [[Louise Fazenda]], and [[Vince Barnett]].<ref name="LosAngelesDailyNews">{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Elizabeth |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/169195186/ |title=Stevens Was Cameraman Before Director |newspaper=Los Angeles Daily News |date=April 10, 1933 |access-date=April 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250331005246/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/169195186/ |archive-date=March 31, 2025 |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> Impressed with Stevens's efficiency, Universal hired Stevens to direct his first feature film, ''[[The Cohens and Kellys in Trouble]]'' (1933), the final installment of ''The Cohens and Kellys'' comedy serials, which had starred [[George Sidney]] and [[Charles Murray (American actor)|Charles Murray]]. Principal photography began in December 1932 and wrapped on March 1933.{{sfn|Moss|2004|p=28}}

When asked about his directorial process, in an interview with the ''[[Los Angeles Daily News]]'', Stevens stated: "In reading over a screen play I constantly look for the little things of a story; small situations, common incidents, or places where the shrug of a shoulder properly done will give an audience a chance to laugh. For, despite the prolonged depression, everyone is still anxious to laugh."<ref name="LosAngelesDailyNews" /> Later that same year, Stevens signed a contract with [[RKO Pictures]] with an eight-month guarantee to direct six shorts and one feature film. In September 1933, RKO loaned Stevens to [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] (MGM) to direct a segment featuring Laurel and Hardy in ''[[Hollywood Party (1934 film)|Hollywood Party]]'' (1934).{{sfn|Moss|2004|p=29}} 

In 1934, Stevens returned to RKO to direct ''[[Bachelor Bait]]'', which he filmed from April 30 to May 18. The film starred [[Stuart Erwin]], portraying a kind-hearted man who loses his job at a marriage license office. He then opens Romance Inc., his own matrimonial agency, where he falls in love with a wealthy client, played by Grace Sutton.{{sfn|Moss|2004|p=29}} A review in ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' called the film "[a] nice, pleasant little comedy that takes time out every once in a while to bowl you over completely with several hilarious wisecracks, thrown in amongst the mild humor which is its general tone."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://archive.org/details/hollywoodreporte1821holl/page/1355/mode/1up |title=Radio's 'Bachelor Bait' Amusing Entertainment |work=The Hollywood Reporter |page=3 |date=June 5, 1934 |access-date=April 22, 2025 |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> His next film was ''[[Kentucky Kernels]]'' (1934) starred the comedy duo of [[Bert Wheeler]] and [[Robert Woolsey]] (collectively known as [[Wheeler and Woolsey]]), playing out-of-work men living on a decrepit houseboat and hope to earn money by catching fish. Along the way, they adopt a young boy ([[Spanky McFarland]]) who inherits a fortune, while they head for Kentucky where two families are locked in a bitter feud.{{sfn|Moss|2004|pp=29–30}} 

Stevens's next film was ''[[Laddie (1935 film)|Laddie]]'' (1935), an adaptation of the 1913 novel ''Laddie: A True Blue Story'' by [[Gene Stratton-Porter]]. The novel had been previously adapted into a [[Laddie (1926 film)|1926 film]]. Produced at RKO, [[George Nicholls Jr.]] had been set to direct, but it was reassigned to Stevens. Set in the late 19th-century rural [[Indiana]], [[John Beal (actor)|John Beal]] stars in the title role as a farmer who falls in love with his English neighbor, Pamela Pryor ([[Gloria Stuart]]), but their romance is opposed by Pryor's father ([[Donald Crisp]]).<ref>{{harvnb|Moss|2004|p=30}}, {{harvnb|Sinyard|2019|pp=11–12}}</ref> The film premiered at the [[Hilbert Circle Theatre]], and was well-received by critics and audiences.{{sfn|Moss|2004|p=31}} 

Stevens then re-teamed with Wheeler and Woolsey on ''[[The Nitwits]]'' (1935). The duo, along with [[Betty Grable]], portray three record company employees who are unwittingly involved in a murder plot as a mysterious serial killer lurks in New York.{{sfn|Moss|2004|p=31}}