Film Director and Writer. Born Clarence Richard Wallace, he started as a theater projectionist in his home town when he was 14. In 1912 he came to Los Angeles to try his luck in the new born film industry and wound up in the editing departments for studios as Triangle and Robertson-Cole. Interrupted by services in the US Signal Corps during World War I he resumed his career as editor at Fox and Mack Sennett studios, working his way up directing comedy shorts for Universal and Hal Roach and finally his first feature film "Syncopating Sue" in 1926. Many years under contract with Paramount, he was equally adept at straight drama, mysteries and adventure yarns but his most memorable work was in the field of comedy. Film credits include "The Shopworn Angel" (1928, with Gary Cooper), "Innocents of Paris" (1929, with Maurice Chevalier in his first American film), "The Little Minister" (1934, with Katharine Hepburn), "The Young in Heart" (1938, with Janet Gaynor), "The Fallen Sparrow" (1943, with John Garfield), "Sinbad the Sailor" (1947, with Douglas Fairbanks jr.), "Tycoon" (1947, with John Wayne) and Shirley Temple`s final movie "A Kiss for Corliss" (1949), which was also his last picture. A founding member of the Directors Guild of America, he was an avid UCLA football fan and supporter who rarely missed a match. He was viewing the California - UCLA grid game in the Los Angeles Coliseum when he collapsed in the stands and died from a heart attack.
Film Director and Writer. Born Clarence Richard Wallace, he started as a theater projectionist in his home town when he was 14. In 1912 he came to Los Angeles to try his luck in the new born film industry and wound up in the editing departments for studios as Triangle and Robertson-Cole. Interrupted by services in the US Signal Corps during World War I he resumed his career as editor at Fox and Mack Sennett studios, working his way up directing comedy shorts for Universal and Hal Roach and finally his first feature film "Syncopating Sue" in 1926. Many years under contract with Paramount, he was equally adept at straight drama, mysteries and adventure yarns but his most memorable work was in the field of comedy. Film credits include "The Shopworn Angel" (1928, with Gary Cooper), "Innocents of Paris" (1929, with Maurice Chevalier in his first American film), "The Little Minister" (1934, with Katharine Hepburn), "The Young in Heart" (1938, with Janet Gaynor), "The Fallen Sparrow" (1943, with John Garfield), "Sinbad the Sailor" (1947, with Douglas Fairbanks jr.), "Tycoon" (1947, with John Wayne) and Shirley Temple`s final movie "A Kiss for Corliss" (1949), which was also his last picture. A founding member of the Directors Guild of America, he was an avid UCLA football fan and supporter who rarely missed a match. He was viewing the California - UCLA grid game in the Los Angeles Coliseum when he collapsed in the stands and died from a heart attack.
Bio by: Fritz Tauber
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