William Demille
| William C. de Mille | |
|---|---|
c.1904
|
|
| Born |
William Churchill de Mille July 25, 1878 Washington, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | March 5, 1955 (aged 76) Playa del Rey, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Screenwriter, film director |
| Spouse(s) | Anna Angela George (1903–1929); Clara Beranger (1928–1955; his death) |
William Churchill de Mille (July 25, 1878 – March 5, 1955) was an American screenwriter and film director from the silent movie era through the early 1930s. He was also a noted playwright prior to moving into film. Once he was established in film he specialized in adapting Broadway plays into silent films.
De Mille was born in Washington, North Carolina, to Henry Churchill de Mille (1853–1893), an Episcopal lay minister and playwright from North Carolina, and Matilda Beatrice Samuel (1853–1923), who was born to a Sephardic Jewish family in England but converted to her husband's faith. He was the elder brother of the versatile Cecil B. DeMille, who altered the capitalization of his last name when he went to Hollywood, claiming that it fit better on marquees. (William continued to be known as "de Mille", and his daughter Agnes also chose "de Mille".) William received a bachelor's degree from Columbia University followed by graduate studies at the Academy of Dramatic Arts, at schools in Germany, and a second stint at Columbia studying under Brander Matthews.
In 1903 he married Anna Angela George, the daughter of notable economist Henry George. Anna bore William two children, Agnes de Mille – named after a younger sister who died in childhood – who became a noted choreographer and Peggy George, who became an actress.
Professionally, their life was stable. In 1905 he became successful Broadway playwright, following its development in 1904. William had nine plays he wrote or co-wrote – one of them with Cecil – produced on Broadway between 1905 and 1913, and another two productions mounted in 1929 and 1936, the latter of which he produced and directed as well. His first play, Strongheart was eventually released as a movie by his brother as Braveheart (1925 film). Two of William's works, The Warrens of Virginia (1907) and The Woman (1911) were produced by the flamboyant impresario David Belasco. The former featured future film star Mary Pickford and Cecil, both struggling actors playing minor roles. He wrote a number of vaudeville sketches including In 1999, Food, Poor Old Jim, The Squealer, The Martyrs, and The Deceivers.
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