C. Graham Baker — Biographical Sketch (1927) 🇺🇸

C. Graham Baker, once a special writer and cartoonist on the New York dailies, was told by J. Stuart Blackton, of the Vitagraph Company, that the industry was in need of stories. Baker wrote five comedies, sent them in and collected his check. Since that day, some twelve years ago, Baker has been prominently identified with the industry.

For two years he wrote a comedy a week for Larry Semon; many of the Sidney Drew comedies; from that branching into the writing of serials when they were becoming popular.

When George Randolph Chester, editor of the Vitagraph, turned his attention to directing, Baker was placed in entire charge of the story department, purchasing and adapting material for such stars as Corinne Griffith, Alice Joyce, Bessie Love, Earl Williams [Earle Williams] and others.

Baker left Vitagraph four years ago, allying himself with the Fox Company, writing several features. From there he moved to the Inspiration Pictures, where he adapted several stories for Richard Barthelmess. Going to California, he wrote a picture for Universal and then accepted a long-term contract at Warner Bros.

The groundwork of practical knowledge of the needs of the industry was gained in the early days, augmented by the fact that he had directed more than twenty pictures, and during his last days at the Vitagraph, edited and titled all of that company’s product. Among these were such pictures as “Captain Blood,” “The Clean Heart,” “Pioneer Trails,” and others.

During the past two years Baker has written over fifteen scenarios for Warner Bros., many of them originals. These include “Slightly Used,” “The Heart of Maryland,” “White Flannels,” “The Girl from Chicago,” “Hills of Kentucky,” “The Third Degree,” “My Official Wife,” “Fingerprints,” “Millionaires,” “Irish Hearts,” “Matinee Ladies,” and “The Gay Old Bird.” For Inspiration he wrote “The Beautiful City” and “Just Suppose.” For Vitagraph, Captain Blood, Pioneer Trails, “The Fortune Hunter,” “Pampered Youth,” “Masters of Men,” and others almost too numerous to mention.

Baker is a native of Indiana, but has spent most of his years in New York City.

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C. Graham Baker

Recent Pictures:

• In Name Only
• The Girl from Chicago
• Slightly Used
• The Heart of Maryland

Warner Brothers

Collection: Motion Picture News, October 1927 (Booking Guide and Studio Directory)