Elmer Clifton
male

Born on March 12, 1890 (135 years old)
Passed Away on October 15, 1949
From Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Known for Directing
Biography
Born in Chicago, he was an actor in touring stock companies before making his screen debut in 1912. Joining D.W. Griffith's Fine Arts Studio in 1914, he was cast as Union officer Phil Stoneman in "The Birth of a Nation" (1915) and as The Rhapsodie in the Babylonian story of "Intolerance" (1916). He was also a second-unit director for those films. Promoted to director in 1917, Clifton supervised several successful Fine Arts comedies starring Dorothy Gish while continuing to serve as Griffith's assistant. Their association culminated with the blockbuster "Way Down East" (1920). Clifton shot much of its famous "Rescue from the ice" sequence and doubled for star Richard Barthelmess in the riskier scenes. He then left Griffith to form his own production company and had a smash hit with "Down to the Sea in Ships" (1922), a colorful whaling saga made on location in New England. It made a star of future "It Girl" Clara Bow, who appeared as a cross-dressing stowaway. In 1923 Clifton signed a lucrative seven-year contract with Fox and was poised to become one of Hollywood's major directors. Then tragedy struck. He was filming "The Warrens of Virginia" in Texas when his lead actress died from burns in an accident on the set. Although Clifton was blameless in the incident, he was fired by Fox and his career never regained its momentum.
Cast Credits
- 2019
- 1917
- 1916
- 1915
- 1914
- no image
John Barleycorn
as
Jack, 3rd period
1914
- no image
The Folly of Anne
as
The Sympathtic Publisher
1914
The Sisters
as
Frank (Carol's country lover)
1914
Burning Daylight: The Adventures of 'Burning Daylight' in Alaska
as
Charley Bates
1914
- no image
A Duel for Love
1914
Martin Eden
as
Cub Reporter
1914
- no image
A Lucky Disappointment
as
Jack Holt
1914
Crew Credits
- 1950
- 1949
- 1948
- 1947
- 1946
- 1945
- 1944
Captain America
as
Director
1944
Gangsters of the Frontier
as
Director
1944
Gangsters of the Frontier
as
Screenplay
1944
Youth Aflame
as
Screenplay
1944
Youth Aflame
as
Director
1944
Seven Doors to Death
as
Director
1944
Spook Town
as
Director
1944
The Whispering Skull
as
Director
1944
Guns of the Law
as
Director
1944
The Pinto Bandit
as
Director
1944
The Pinto Bandit
as
Screenplay
1944
- no image
Teen Age
as
Screenplay
1944
- no image
Teen Age
as
Story
1944
Seven Doors to Death
as
Screenplay
1944
Guns of the Law
as
Screenplay
1944
Brand of the Devil
as
Screenplay
1944
Dead or Alive
as
Director
1944
The Pinto Bandit
as
Story
1944
Gunsmoke Mesa
as
Screenplay
1944
Outlaw Roundup
as
Screenplay
1944
Spook Town
as
Screenplay
1944
- 1943
Bad Men of Thunder Gap
as
Writer
1943
Days of Old Cheyenne
as
Director
1943
Boss of Rawhide
as
Director
1943
The Blocked Trail
as
Director
1943
Raiders of San Joaquin
as
Screenplay
1943
Boss of Rawhide
as
Story
1943
Boss of Rawhide
as
Screenplay
1943
Cheyenne Roundup
as
Screenplay
1943
Cheyenne Roundup
as
Story
1943
Frontier Law
as
Screenplay
1943
Frontier Law
as
Director
1943
The Return of the Rangers
as
Story
1943
The Return of the Rangers
as
Director
1943
The Return of the Rangers
as
Screenplay
1943
- 1942
- 1941
- 1940
- 1939
- 1938
Assassin of Youth
as
Director
1938
Assassin of Youth
as
Story
1938
Assassin of Youth
as
Screenplay
1938
The Secret of Treasure Island
as
Director
1938
The Secret of Treasure Island
as
Screenplay
1938
The Stranger from Arizona
as
Director
1938
Law of the Texan
as
Director
1938
Paroled from the Big House
as
Director
1938
California Frontier
as
Director
1938
- 1937
- 1936
- 1935
Cyclone of the Saddle
as
Writer
1935
Skull and Crown
as
Director
1935
Rough Riding Ranger
as
Director
1935
Captured in Chinatown
as
Director
1935
Fighting Caballero
as
Director
1935
Pals of the Range
as
Director
1935
Pals of the Range
as
Writer
1935
Cyclone of the Saddle
as
Director
1935
Rough Riding Ranger
as
Screenplay
1935
Rip Roaring Riley
as
Director
1935
Captured in Chinatown
as
Writer
1935
- 1931
- 1929
- 1928
- 1927
- 1924
- 1923
- 1922
- 1920
- 1919
- 1918
Kiss or Kill
as
Writer
1918
Kiss or Kill
as
Director
1918
The Hope Chest
as
Director
1918
Battling Jane
as
Director
1918
Smashing Through
as
Director
1918
Brace Up
as
Director
1918
The Eagle
as
Director
1918
Brace Up
as
Story
1918
The Two-Soul Woman
as
Writer
1918
The Two-Soul Woman
as
Director
1918
Winner Takes All
as
Director
1918
The Flash of Fate
as
Director
1918
- 1917
- 1916
- 1915