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
Most Rating 3.149
Birthday 1890-03-12
Place of Birth Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Also Known As Elmer Clifford, Elmer S. Pond, Elmer Pond, Elmer Clifton Forsyth,
The Birth of a Nation
1915

The Birth of a Nation

Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
1916

Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages

The Fox Woman
1915

The Fox Woman

I Am Not a Racist
2019

I Am Not a Racist

John Barleycorn
1914

John Barleycorn

The Folly of Anne
1914

The Folly of Anne

The Lost House
1915

The Lost House

The Lily and the Rose
1915

The Lily and the Rose

The Sisters
1914

The Sisters

Burning Daylight: The Adventures of 'Burning Daylight' in Alaska
1914

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

A Duel for Love
1914

A Duel for Love

The Missing Links
1916

The Missing Links

Martin Eden
1914

Martin Eden

The Sable Lorcha
1915

The Sable Lorcha

Nina, the Flower Girl
1917

Nina, the Flower Girl

Acquitted
1916

Acquitted

A Lucky Disappointment
1914

A Lucky Disappointment