Elmer Clifton

Elmer Clifton

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.
    Known for
    Directing
    Place of birth
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Birthday
    3/12/1890
The Birth of a Nation
The Birth of a Nation
6.009
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
7.049
The Fox Woman
0
John Barleycorn
0
The Folly of Anne
0
The Lost House
The Lost House
0
The Lily and the Rose
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The Sisters
The Sisters
0
Burning Daylight: The Adventures of 'Burning Daylight' in Alaska
Burning Daylight: The Adventures of 'Burning Daylight' in Alaska
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A Duel for Love
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The Missing Links
The Missing Links
0
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Martin Eden
0
The Sable Lorcha
The Sable Lorcha
0
Nina, the Flower Girl
Nina, the Flower Girl
0
Acquitted
Acquitted
0
A Lucky Disappointment
0
Birth of Skibidi
Birth of Skibidi
0
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