William Sistrom — Biographical Sketch (1927) 🇺🇸

To be one of the youngest and withal one of the greatest executives in the motion picture industry is the distinction that rests lightly on the shoulders of William Sistrom, general manager of the DeMille Studio [Cecil B. DeMille].

He is short in stature and his dynamic personality is a dominating influence in production matters. His ability to judge screen stories is almost uncanny and his knowledge of box office values is rarely questioned. That is why he was much sought when new projects were launched.

Sistrom’s first important work in the motion picture industry was that of building Universal’s Fort Lee Laboratories and Studios. Soon thereafter at the request of Carl Laemmle, president of Universal, he came West and made a survey of Universal City. He later succeeded H. O. Davis as general manager at Universal City and attained a remarkable success there.

When William Randolph Hearst decided to go in for the production of feature pictures he looked the field over thoroughly for a competent executive to place in charge of Cosmopolitan productions. Sistrom was Hearst’s ultimate selection. The first Hearst production after Sistrom was in charge was Frank Borzage’s “Humoresque.”

When Metropolitan Pictures Corporation was organized, William Sistrom was appointed General Manager of production as well as studio executive and later Cecil DeMille appointed him General Manager of the DeMille Studio in Culver City. He has been identified with a large number of successes.

Such pictures as “The King of Kings,” “The Angel of Broadway,” “The Wreck of the Hesperus,” “Forbidden Woman,” “My Friend from India,” “The Main Event” and “The Fighting Eagle” are only a few of many pictures completed under Sistrom’s regime.

The fact that William Sistrom has achieved remarkable success has not changed his personality. He is equally popular with his brother executives at the studio as he is with the laborer who comes under his supervision. This is due to his ability to judge men as well as pictures. It is truthfully said that he is one of the most popular men in studio work.

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William Sistrom

General Manager

De Mille Pictures Corporation

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