Leigh Jason (born Leigh Jacobson; October 3, 1902 – March 15, 1979) was an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. He was active in the American film industry from the 1920s through the 1950s, working primarily in the realm of B-movies, short subjects, and low-budget science fiction and adventure features.
Career Jason began his career in the silent film era, writing scenarios and directing short comedies. He transitioned to sound films in the early 1930s, directing features for various studios, including Monogram Pictures and Republic Pictures. His directorial work often involved "action" programmers, mysteries, and westerns.
In the early 1950s, Jason directed two notable early science fiction films: The Flying Saucer (1950), which is often cited as the first feature film to deal with the subject of flying saucers, and Lost Continent (1951), a fantasy adventure film featuring stop-motion dinosaurs. He also directed the comedy Arctic Flight (1952).
Later in his career, Jason moved into television production and direction, working on series such as The Adventures of Kit Carson (1951–1955) and Highway Patrol (1955–1959).
Selected Filmography (Director)
- The Flying Saucer (1950)
- Lost Continent (1951)
- Arctic Flight (1952)
- Disc Jockey (1951)
- Secrets of a Model (1940)
- The Mystery of the Yellow Room (1930)
