George Fitzmaurice — Blue Book of the Screen (1923) 🇺🇸
Paris has supplied American film production with one of its best known directors, George Fitzmaurice. And in this artist the scenarist has a staunch friend, for he is one who considers the story of first importance, a recognition for which writers have been battling since the dawn of the flickering era.
Mr. Fitzmaurice was born in Paris, February 13, 1885, but has survived the “13” influence with much success.
His ambition was to become a painter, and to that end he studied art. He persisted until eminent artists of the French metropolis accepted him as a pupil. He succeeded while still a student to such an extent that his brush made him a living for four years.
He then started touring the world on a great sight-seeing expedition. He visited most of the countries and then joined the rank and file of people who were flooding the early studios with stories. Almost everyone was doing it.
But Mr. Fitzmaurice succeeded, writing photodramas for Pathé. He made a close study of production itself while thus engaged, and then secured an engagement to direct “Stop Thief” for Kleine [George Kleine].
Pathé took him back. Among other features he directed “Arms and the Woman,” “The Iron Heart,” “The Mark of Cain,” “Common Clay,” “Innocent,” “The Recoil,” “Sylvia of the Secret Service” and “The Japanese Nightingale.”
Having established himself as a highly successful director, his services were sought by other managements. He joined Paramount in 1918.
Among his earlier pictures with this organization were: “The Witness for the Defense,” “The Avalanche” and “The Society Exile,” with Elsie Ferguson; Three Live Ghosts, with Anna Q. Nilsson and Norman Kerry; “On With the Dance,” featuring Mae Murray and David Powell; “To Have and To Hold,” with Betty Compson and Bert Lytell; “The Right to Love,” “Idols of Clay,” “Paying the Piper,” “Experience,” “Kick In,” with May McAvoy; and “Bella Donna,” in which Pola Negri was the star, supported by Conrad Nagel and Conway Tearle.
One of Mr. Fitzmaurice’s finest screen productions was “Forever” from Peter Ibbetson, with Elsie Ferguson and Wallace Reid as stars.
Mr. Fitzmaurice is five feet ten and one-half inches tall. He weighs 185 pounds, has dark hair and eyes. He is married, his wife being Ouida Bergère, the scenario writer who adapted many productions directed by Mr. Fitzmaurice.
Their home was in New York City, but since Famous Players moved many of their producing companies west, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzmaurice have made their home in Hollywood. At present he is directing Pola Negri in her second American-made film.
His hobbies are horseback riding and golf.
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Fitzmaurice rehearsing Theodore Kosloff while his continuity clerk makes notes on the detail of the costume.
Collection: The Blue Book of the Screen (1923)