William P. S. Earle

William Pitt Striker Earle (December 28, 1882 – November 30, 1972) was an American director of the silent film era. He attended Columbia University and worked for a time as a photographer before breaking into the movie business by sneaking onto the lot of Vitagraph Company of America to observe how directors worked. After a few days of this, Earle approached the studio president and was given his first movie to direct, For the Honor of the Crew, a short about a crew race at Columbia University.[1] He subsequently directed a number of features and shorts for Vitagraph. Later he worked with producer David O. Selznick.

William Pitt Striker Earle
Earle in 1921
Born(1882-12-28)December 28, 1882
New York City, U.S.
DiedNovember 30, 1972(1972-11-30) (aged 89)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Burial placeForest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale
OccupationFilm director
Years active1915–1926
Spouse(s)Valerie Damon De Blois (m.1905–div.1915)
Bonnie Earle (m.–1952; her death)
Evangeline Russell (m.–1966; her death)
Parent(s)

Personal life

Earle was born in New York City. He was the son of Ferdinand P. Earle, a hotelier and military officer.[2]

He married Valerie Damon De Blois in 1905. They divorced in 1915.[3] He next married English actress Blanche Taylor, who later went by the name "Bonnie Earle", and was with him until her death in 1952.[4] Earle's last wife was former actress Evangeline Russell Blackton, the widow of Vitagraph executive J. Stuart Blackton. She died in 1966.[5]

Feature filmography

References
  1. Shields, David S. (2013). Still: American Silent Motion Picture Photography. University of Chicago Press. p. 223. ISBN 978-0-226-01343-5.
  2. "Obituaries". The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record. New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. 34 (2): 145. April 1903.
  3. "Wife Sues W.P.S. Earle". The New York Times. June 29, 1915. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Actress of Silent Films". The Kansas City Times. January 23, 1952. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Former Star of Silent Films Dies". Pasadena Independent. February 24, 1966. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.