Elmer Clifton | WatchedThis

Elmer Clifton

Elmer Clifton

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.

Filmography Movies

Acting

Poster for The Birth of a Nation
MOVIE

The Birth of a Nation

6.0(0.6K)
The Birth of a Nation
Stoneman's Elder Son Phil
Poster for Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
MOVIE

Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages

7.1(0.4K)
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
The Rhapsode (Babylonian Story)
The Fox WomanMOVIE
MOVIE

The Fox Woman

The Fox Woman
Marashida
Poster for I Am Not a Racist
MOVIE

I Am Not a Racist

I Am Not a Racist
Phil (archive footage) (uncredited)
John BarleycornMOVIE
MOVIE

John Barleycorn

John Barleycorn
Jack, 3rd period
The Folly of AnneMOVIE
MOVIE

The Folly of Anne

9.0(0.0K)
The Folly of Anne
The Sympathtic Publisher
Poster for The Lost House
MOVIE

The Lost House

The Lost House
Cuthbert
Poster for The Lily and the Rose
MOVIE

The Lily and the Rose

The Lily and the Rose
Allison Edwards
Poster for The Sisters
MOVIE

The Sisters

The Sisters
Frank (Carol's country lover)
Poster for Burning Daylight: The Adventures of 'Burning Daylight' in Alaska
MOVIE

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

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

Production

Maid to OrderMOVIE
MOVIE

Maid to Order

9.0(0.0K)
Maid to Order
Director
Poster for Pilot X
MOVIE

Pilot X

6.3(0.0K)
Pilot X
Director
Poster for Cyclone of the Saddle
MOVIE

Cyclone of the Saddle

5.8(0.0K)
Cyclone of the Saddle
Writer
Poster for The Judge
MOVIE

The Judge

5.5(0.0K)
The Judge
Director
Poster for The Judge
MOVIE

The Judge

5.5(0.0K)
The Judge
Screenplay
Poster for Slaves in Bondage
MOVIE

Slaves in Bondage

3.0(0.0K)
Slaves in Bondage
Director
Poster for Assassin of Youth
MOVIE

Assassin of Youth

3.0(0.0K)
Assassin of Youth
Director
Poster for Assassin of Youth
MOVIE

Assassin of Youth

3.0(0.0K)
Assassin of Youth
Story
Poster for Assassin of Youth
MOVIE

Assassin of Youth

3.0(0.0K)
Assassin of Youth
Screenplay
Poster for Captain America
MOVIE

Captain America

5.4(0.0K)
Captain America
Director

Gallery

Elmer Clifton portrait
Elmer Clifton portrait
Elmer Clifton portrait
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