Elmer Clifton, Directing - KorPlix:Korean Person Archives

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Elmer Clifton
Directing

Elmer Clifton
Known For
Directing
Birthday
1890-03-12,Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Gender
Male
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.

Filmography

The Birth of a Nation

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The Birth of a Nation
1915-02-08

Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages

7.1

Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
1916-09-04

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The Fox Woman
1915-07-15

I Am Not a Racist

0

I Am Not a Racist

John Barleycorn

0

John Barleycorn
1914-01-01

The Folly of Anne

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The Folly of Anne
1914-11-14

0

The Lost House
1915-03-25

The Lily and the Rose

0

The Lily and the Rose
1915-11-06

0

The Sisters
1914-11-29

Burning Daylight: The Adventures of 'Burning Daylight' in Alaska

0

Burning Daylight: The Adventures of 'Burning Daylight' in Alaska
1914-09-14

A Duel for Love

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A Duel for Love
1914-01-01

The Missing Links

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The Missing Links
1916-01-16

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Martin Eden
1914-08-16

The Sable Lorcha

0

The Sable Lorcha
1915-11-28

Nina, the Flower Girl

0

Nina, the Flower Girl
1917-01-21

0

Acquitted
1916-02-06