
D.W. Griffith
Directing
David Llewelyn Wark Griffith was a premier pioneering American film director. He is best known as the director of the controversial and groundbreaking 1915 film The Birth of a Nation and the subsequent film Intolerance (1916). Griffith's film The Birth of a Nation made pioneering use of advanced camera and narrative techniques, and its immense popularity set the stage for the dominance of the feature-length film. It also proved extremely controversial at the time and ever since for its negative depiction of Black Americans and their supporters, and its positive portrayal of slavery and the Ku Klux Klan. Griffith responded to his critics with his next film, Intolerance, intended to show the dangers of prejudiced thought and behavior. The film was not the financial success that its predecessor had been, but was received warmly by critics. Several of his later films were also successful, but high production, promotional, and roadshow costs often made his ventures commercial failures. Even so, he is generally considered one of the most important figures of early cinema.

Mary Pickford a Blessing and a Curse
Self

Charlie Chaplin, The Genius of Liberty
archive footage

Flashback: The First World War
Self (archive footage)

Mary Pickford: The Muse of the Movies
Self (archive footage)

Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
Self (archive footage)

The Tramp and the Dictator
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Star Power: The Creation Of United Artists
Self (archive footage)

The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
Self (archive footage)

San Francisco
Orchestra Conductor (uncredited)

1930 Prelude to "The Birth of a Nation"
Self

Screen Snapshots (Series 1, No. 20)
Himself

Enoch Arden
Mr. Ray

Two Daughters of Eve
At Stage Door

The Adventures of Billy
On Bench

1776, or The Hessian Renegades

At the Altar

The Politician's Love Story
Man - First Couple

The Girls and Daddy
At Black & Tan Ball
The Heart of O Yama
Footman
The Red Girl
Man on Footpath

Balked at the Altar

The Fatal Hour
Policeman

A Calamitous Elopement
Policeman

Deceived Slumming Party
Reginald O.C. Wittington

The Black Viper
Rescuer
The Stage Rustler
Phil Bowen
The Kentuckian

At the Crossroads of Life
Suitor
At the French Ball
Husband
The Man in the Box
Station Agent

The Invisible Fluid
Mailman
'Ostler Joe
Lover

When Knights Were Bold

The Music Master

The Sculptor's Nightmare
The King's Messenger
Messenger
Hulda's Lovers
The King of the Cannibal Islands
Cannibal in Top Hat
A Famous Escape
Prisoner
Old Isaacs, the Pawnbroker
Doctor, Charity Worker
Caught by Wireless
Paddy

Her First Adventure
Father
Yellow Peril
Mr. Phlipp

Cupid’s Pranks
The Princess in the Vase
Lover
Classmates
Extra

Falsely Accused!
Cop in Court

Rescued from an Eagle's Nest
Father
Professional Jealousy
Extra on stage







