Elmer Clifton
DirectingBorn 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
The Birth of a Nation
Stoneman's Elder Son Phil
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
The Rhapsode (Babylonian Story)
The Sisters
Frank (Carol's country lover)
The Lost House
Cuthbert
Burning Daylight: The Adventures of 'Burning Daylight' in Alaska
Charley Bates
The Lily and the Rose
Allison Edwards
I Am Not a Racist
Phil (archive footage) (uncredited)
Martin Eden
Cub Reporter
Filmography — Acting
The Birth of a Nation
Stoneman's Elder Son Phil
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
The Rhapsode (Babylonian Story)
The Sisters
Frank (Carol's country lover)
The Folly of Anne
The Sympathtic Publisher
The Lost House
Cuthbert
Burning Daylight: The Adventures of 'Burning Daylight' in Alaska
Charley Bates
The Lily and the Rose
Allison Edwards
I Am Not a Racist
Phil (archive footage) (uncredited)
Martin Eden
Cub Reporter
The Little School Ma'am
Wilbur Howard
Nina, the Flower Girl
Jimmie
A Lucky Disappointment
Jack Holt
John Barleycorn
Jack, 3rd period
Acquitted
Ned Fowler
The Missing Links
Horace Gaylord
The Sable Lorcha
Phillip Clyde - Evelyn's Fiancé
The Fox Woman
Marashida
A Duel for Love
The Old Folks at Home
Steve Coburn
Filmography — Crew
Captain America
Director
Seven Doors to Death
Director
The Old Chisholm Trail
Director
Pilot X
Director
Raiders of San Joaquin
Screenplay
Deep in the Heart of Texas
Director
Maid to Order
Director
Cheyenne Roundup
Screenplay
The Sundown Kid
Director
Bad Men of Thunder Gap
Writer
Spook Town
Director
Six Cylinder Love
Director
City of Missing Girls
Director
Not Wanted
Director
The Flash of Fate
Director
Crashing Thru
Director
The Judge
Director
Swamp Woman
Director
Slaves in Bondage
Director
Custer's Last Stand
Director
Let 'Er Go Gallegher
Director
I'll Sell My Life
Director
Peppy Polly
Director
The Blocked Trail
Director
Custer's Last Stand
Director
The High Sign
Director
Rainbow Over the Rockies
Screenplay
Cyclone of the Saddle
Writer
Hard Guy
Director
The Rangers Take Over
Writer
Tropical Nights
Director
Wolves of the Sea
Director
Isle Of Destiny
Director
The Secret of Treasure Island
Director
Quick on the Trigger
Screenplay
Law of the Texan
Director
Days of Old Cheyenne
Director
Down to the Sea in Ships
Director
Frontier Law
Director
The Pinto Bandit
Director
Outlaw Roundup
Screenplay
Ten Laps to Go
Director
Nobody Home
Director
Song of the Sierras
Screenplay
Gambling with Souls
Director
A Stormy Knight
Director
The Wreck of the Hesperus
Director
Wildcat Trooper
Director
Red Rock Outlaw
Director
The Flame of Youth
Director
Sunset Carson Rides Again
Writer
Mile a Minute Love
Director
Smashing Through
Director
Marked for Murder
Director
California Frontier
Director
Frontier Fugitives
Screenplay
Swing, Cowboy, Swing
Writer
Rough Riding Ranger
Director
Brand of the Devil
Screenplay
The Warrens of Virginia
Director
Boss of Rawhide
Director
Lightning Raiders
Screenplay
Assassin of Youth
Director
The Devil's Apple Tree
Director
Paroled from the Big House
Director
Three in the Saddle
Screenplay
Brace Up
Director
The Return of the Rangers
Director
Turning the Tables
Director
Captured in Chinatown
Director
Youth Aflame
Director
Kiss or Kill
Director
The Two-Soul Woman
Director
Battling Jane
Director
Boots
Director
West to Glory
Screenplay
Guns of the Law
Director
Rip Roaring Riley
Director
Skull and Crown
Director
Dead or Alive
Director
Light of India
Director
Teen Age
Screenplay
The Stranger from Arizona
Director
Fighting Caballero
Director
The Eagle
Director
The Whispering Skull
Director
Gangsters of the Frontier
Screenplay
Her Official Fathers
Director
The Silver Bandit
Screenplay
Pals of the Range
Director
I'll Get Him Yet
Director
Winner Takes All
Director
Mary Ellen Comes to Town
Director
Virgin Lips
Director
Daughters of the Night
Director
The Midnight Man
Director
The Hope Chest
Director
Gunsmoke Mesa
Screenplay
Nugget Nell
Director
Beautiful But Dumb
Director
The Kid from Gower Gulch
Screenplay
The Bride of the Colorado
Director
Flirting with Death
Director
The Man Trap
Director
The Guilt of Silence
Director
The Truth About Men
Director
The Fallen Empire
Director
Wives at Auction
Director
The Virgin Wife
Director