William C. deMille

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William Churchill deMille (July 25, 1878 – March 5, 1955), also spelled de Mille or De Mille, was an American screenwriter and film director from the silent film era through the early 1930s.[1] 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.[2]

Biography

DeMille was born in Washington, North Carolina on July 25 1878, to Henry Churchill de Mille, an actor and playwright from North Carolina, and Matilda Beatrice Samuel, who was also a play and screenwriter. His father was a Christian whilst his mother was born to a German-Jewish family in Liverpool but converted to her husband's faith.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

William was the elder brother of 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",Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.

File:Willam C de Mille - Feb 1921 Photoplay.jpg
De Mille directing a scene using a "Magna Vox" voice amplification device

In 1903, he married Anna Angela George, the daughter of notable economist Henry George. Anna and William had 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 a successful Broadway playwright,[3][4] following its development in 1904.[5]

William wrote or co-wrote nine plays – one of them with Cecil – produced on Broadway between 1905 and 1913, and another two productions mounted in 1929 and 1936,[6] the latter of which he produced and directed as well.[7]

His first play, Strongheart was eventually released as a movie by his brother as Braveheart (1925). Two of William's works, The Warrens of Virginia (1907)[8] and The Woman (1911)[9] were produced by the flamboyant impresario David Belasco. The former featured future film star Mary Pickford and Cecil, both struggling actors playing minor roles.[8]

He wrote a number of vaudeville sketches including In 1999, Food, Poor Old Jim, The Squealer, The Martyrs, and The Deceivers.[10]

Cecil eventually moved to Hollywood, and William followed. His directorial debut was The Only Son (1914). He was one of the first investors in Neely Dickson's playhouse, the Hollywood Community Theatre, and many of his plays were produced there, featuring Hollywood stars.[11]

Personal life

William C. deMille and Anna Angela George divorced in 1927.[12] One of the writers of Miss Lulu Bett was Clara Beranger, whom deMille married in 1929.[1]

At about this time, he met Lorna Moon, an established New York author from Scotland, who also wrote sophisticated Hollywood comedies.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

In 1998, Richard de Mille, who had grown up in Cecil's household, revealed in the memoir My Secret Mother, Lorna Moon that William C. deMille was his father and screenwriter Moon his biological mother. Richard had been adopted by Cecil B. and Constance DeMille to avoid a family scandal.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

In addition to his filmmaking fame, William deMille was an early member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. (His brother was a founding member.)Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

With Douglas Fairbanks, he co-hosted the 1st Academy Awards in 1929, and he solely hosted the 2nd Academy Awards the following year. He served as President of the Academy briefly. DeMille helped found the USC Film School in 1929, and after his East Coast theatrical career failed to revive in the early 1930s, he was active on the faculty there until his death.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Death

File:DeMille tombs.jpg
Tombs of Cecil Blount DeMille (right), Constance DeMille (left), William DeMille (urn in front), Clara DeMille (stone below urn in front)

DeMille died on March 5, 1955, in Playa del Rey, California.[1] He is interred in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Partial filmography

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Books

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References

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  1. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ William C. deMille bio by Hal Erickson at allrovi.com
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Template:PAGENAMEBASE at the Internet Broadway DatabaseTemplate:EditAtWikidataTemplate:WikidataCheck
  7. ↑ "Hallowe'en (1936)", Internet Broadway Database; accessed December 28, 2017.
  8. ↑ a b "The Warrens of Virginia (1907)" on the Internet Broadway Database; accessed December 29, 2017.
  9. ↑ "The Woman (1911)", IBDB.com; accessed December 29, 2017.
  10. ↑ Powell, William S. (ed.) Dictionary of North Carolina Biography: Vol. 2, D-G, pg. 52 (1986); accessed December 29, 2017.
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Template:Catalog lookup link (print and on-line), quoting deMille in Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". (Rouben Mamoulian Collection (Library of Congress) First edition Template:Catalog lookup link) (Also catalogued at Template:Catalog lookup link; and Template:Catalog lookup link (eBook)); and see Template:AFI film

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External links

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Non-profit organization positions
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/checkTemplate:Succession box/check President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
1929–1931 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by

Template:William C. deMille

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