Elmer Clifton
Born
March 12, 1890
Died
October 15, 1949 (59 years old)
Known For
Directing
Place of Birth
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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

I Am Not a Racist
Phil
2019

Nina, the Flower Girl
Jimmie
1917

Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
The Rhapsode (Babylonian Story)
1916

Acquitted
Ned Fowler
1916

The Missing Links
Horace Gaylord
1916

The Sable Lorcha
Phillip Clyde - Evelyn's Fiancé
1915

The Lily and the Rose
Allison Edwards
1915
The Fox Woman
Marashida
1915

The Lost House
Cuthbert
1915

The Birth of a Nation
Stoneman's Elder Son Phil
1915
A Lucky Disappointment
Jack Holt
1914

The Sisters
Frank (Carol's country lover)
1914
The Folly of Anne
The Sympathtic Publisher
1914

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

Martin Eden
Cub Reporter
1914
John Barleycorn
Jack, 3rd period
1914
A Duel for Love
1914