Elmer Clifton
Directing
Born: March 12, 1890 · Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Died: October 15, 1949 (aged 59)
Highest Rated
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.
Known for
Photos (3)
Movies (12)
The Birth of a Nation
Stoneman's Elder Son Phil
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
The Rhapsode (Babylonian Story)
Martin Eden
Cub Reporter
The Sisters
Frank (Carol's country lover)
The Sable Lorcha
Phillip Clyde - Evelyn's Fiancé
The Old Folks at Home
Steve Coburn
Burning Daylight: The Adventures of 'Burning Daylight' in Alaska
Charley Bates
Nina, the Flower Girl
Jimmie
The Lily and the Rose
Allison Edwards
I Am Not a Racist
Phil (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Lost House
Cuthbert
The Missing Links
Horace Gaylord
Directing (88)
The Birth of a Nation
Assistant Director
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
First Assistant Director
Captain America
Director
Virgin Lips
Director
Nugget Nell
Director
Not Wanted
Director
High Speed
Director
Nobody Home
Director
Hard Guy
Director
Swamp Woman
Director
Boots
Director
Isle Of Destiny
Director
Pilot X
Director
The Wreck of the Hesperus
Director
The Guilt of Silence
Director
The Judge
Director
Wolves of the Sea
Director
Slaves in Bondage
Director
Seven Doors to Death
Director
Dead or Alive
Director
I'll Get Him Yet
Director
Law of the Texan
Director
Turning the Tables
Director
Tropical Nights
Director
The Blocked Trail
Director
Six Cylinder Love
Director
Assassin of Youth
Director
Peppy Polly
Director
The Silver Bandit
Director
Winner Takes All
Director
Custer's Last Stand
Director
Swing, Cowboy, Swing
Director
Rough Riding Ranger
Director
City of Missing Girls
Director
Beautiful But Dumb
Director
Gangsters of the Frontier
Director
Custer's Last Stand
Director
Smashing Through
Director
The Secret of Treasure Island
Director
Captured in Chinatown
Director
Battling Jane
Director
The Old Chisholm Trail
Director
The Stranger from Arizona
Director
The Devil's Apple Tree
Director
Deep in the Heart of Texas
Director
Mile a Minute Love
Director
The Pinto Bandit
Director
Fighting Caballero
Director
The Man Trap
Director
The Sundown Kid
Director
Paroled from the Big House
Director
Marked for Murder
Director
Skull and Crown
Director
Pals of the Range
Director
Let 'Er Go Gallegher
Director
Boss of Rawhide
Director
Cyclone of the Saddle
Director
Youth Aflame
Director
Kiss or Kill
Director
Down to the Sea in Ships
Director
The Two-Soul Woman
Director
Flirting with Death
Director
Wildcat Trooper
Director
The Flash of Fate
Director
Her Official Fathers
Director
Ten Laps to Go
Director
Crashing Thru
Director
The Whispering Skull
Director
Frontier Law
Director
I'll Sell My Life
Director
Guns of the Law
Director
Spook Town
Director
Rip Roaring Riley
Director
California Frontier
Director
The Midnight Man
Director
Days of Old Cheyenne
Director
The Eagle
Director
The High Sign
Director
Mary Ellen Comes to Town
Director
The Return of the Rangers
Director
Gambling with Souls
Director
Red Rock Outlaw
Director
The Flame of Youth
Director
A Stormy Knight
Director
The Hope Chest
Director
Daughters of the Night
Director
The Warrens of Virginia
Director
Brace Up
Director
Writing (54)
Three in the Saddle
Screenplay
Outlaw Roundup
Screenplay
The Judge
Screenplay
Wolves of the Sea
Story
Seven Doors to Death
Screenplay
Assassin of Youth
Story
Assassin of Youth
Screenplay
The Silver Bandit
Screenplay
The Silver Bandit
Story
Swing, Cowboy, Swing
Writer
Frontier Fugitives
Screenplay
Rough Riding Ranger
Screenplay
The Rangers Take Over
Writer
Gangsters of the Frontier
Screenplay
Outlaws of the Plains
Story
The Secret of Treasure Island
Screenplay
Captured in Chinatown
Writer
The Old Chisholm Trail
Screenplay
The Pinto Bandit
Screenplay
The Pinto Bandit
Story
Fighting Caballero
Writer
Gunsmoke Mesa
Screenplay
Marked for Murder
Screenplay
Pals of the Range
Writer
West of Pinto Basin
Story
Cheyenne Roundup
Screenplay
Cheyenne Roundup
Story
Boss of Rawhide
Story
Boss of Rawhide
Screenplay
Raiders of San Joaquin
Screenplay
Cyclone of the Saddle
Writer
Youth Aflame
Screenplay
Quick on the Trigger
Screenplay
Outcasts of Black Mesa
Story
Kiss or Kill
Writer
Rainbow Over the Rockies
Screenplay
Bad Men of Thunder Gap
Writer
Lightning Raiders
Original Story
Lightning Raiders
Screenplay
The Two-Soul Woman
Writer
Sunset Carson Rides Again
Writer
Frontier Law
Screenplay
West to Glory
Screenplay
I'll Sell My Life
Screenplay
Guns of the Law
Screenplay
Spook Town
Screenplay
The Trail of the Silver Spurs
Story
Brand of the Devil
Screenplay
The Return of the Rangers
Story
The Return of the Rangers
Screenplay
Song of the Sierras
Screenplay
Red Rock Outlaw
Screenplay
The Kid from Gower Gulch
Screenplay
Brace Up
Story