William A. Seiter — Biographical Sketch (1927) 🇺🇸

He might have succeeded his father as one of the finest china and glassware experts in the world, but the romance of pioneering youth brought him much greater fame and fortune as one of the most successful of motion picture directors. Scion of a wealthy New York family, blessed with a splendid education, he preferred the hard knocks of the motion picture studios in his commendable determination to succeed on his own in a new field. Such is the story of William A. Seiter.

Today he is recognized as one of the leading progressive picture directors by virtue of his long string of Universal productions starring Reginald Denny and Laura La Plante. The recent marriage of the director and the delectable Laura, culminated one of the most popular romances in Hollywood. Their romance began three years ago when he first directed Laura and Reginald Denny in “The Fast Worker.” Later he directed his future wife in such hits as “The Teaser” and “Dangerous Innocence.” Since their marriage this combination has made but one picture together. “Thanks For the Buggy Ride” has just been finished and is said to be their best.

When the director first came to Hollywood thirteen years ago he started at the bottom despite his education. He finally made his debut as a real actor opposite Norma Talmadge. He acted as assistant director of the picture also. Later when the ambitious young man was selected by D. W. Griffith to be co-featured in two-reel romances the screen lost a potential star and gained a director. When he beheld himself for the first time on the screen in the uniform of a royal northwest mounted policeman, he was so disgusted with his acting that he resigned on the spot and went back to directing.

His successful Reginald Denny pictures include “The Fast Worker,” “What Happened to Jones,” “Where Was I?”, “Skinner’s Dress Suit,” “Rolling Home,” “Take It From Me,” “The Cheerful Fraud” and “Out All Night.” To prove his versatility he recently directed a picture without a star, “The Small Bachelor,” the hilarious P. G. Wodehouse story.

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William A. Seiter

Recent Releases

• The Small Bachelor
• Out All Night (with Reginald Denny)

Completed

• Thanks for The Buggy Ride (with Laura La Plante)

Coming

• Live and Let Live (with Reginald Denny)

William A. Seiter Productions

Universal

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