Henry MacRae
Encyclopedia
Henry Alexander MacRae was a Canadian
film director
, producer
and screenwriter
during the silent era
, working on many film serials
for Universal Studios
. One of a number of Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood
, MacRae was credited with many innovations in film production, including artificial light for interiors, the wind machine
, double exposure
s and shooting at night.
and died in Beverly Hills.
He was active as a director from 1912 to 1933, making more than 130 films, most of them silent. In addition to the many westerns
and adventure films to his credit, he directed the first Thai
-Hollywood co-production, Miss Suwanna of Siam
, in 1923.
His first "talkie" was the first Tarzan
movie with sound, Tarzan the Tiger in 1929. He also directed several westerns starring Hoot Gibson
, a Tom Mix
western and movies featuring Rex the Wonder Horse.
His producer credits in the 1940s include such serial films as The Green Hornet
and Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
and screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
during the silent era
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
, working on many film serials
Serial (film)
Serials, more specifically known as Movie serials, Film serials or Chapter plays, were short subjects originally shown in theaters in conjunction with a feature film. They were related to pulp magazine serialized fiction...
for Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
. One of a number of Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood
Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood
Motion pictures have been a part of the culture of Canada since the beginning.-History:Around 1910, the East Coast filmmakers began to take advantage of California winters and after Nestor Studios, run by Canadian Al Christie, built the first permanent movie studio in Hollywood a number of the...
, MacRae was credited with many innovations in film production, including artificial light for interiors, the wind machine
Wind machine
The wind machine is a specialist musical instrument used to produce the sound of wind. One type uses an electric fan with wooden slats added to produce the required sound...
, double exposure
Double Exposure
Double exposure is a photographic technique in which two images are captured and combined into a single image.Double exposure may also refer to:* Double patterning, a technique for improving the resolution of patterning semiconductors...
s and shooting at night.
Biography
Henry MacRae was born in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
and died in Beverly Hills.
He was active as a director from 1912 to 1933, making more than 130 films, most of them silent. In addition to the many westerns
Western (genre)
The Western is a genre of various visual arts, such as film, television, radio, literature, painting and others. Westerns are devoted to telling stories set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American Old West, hence the name. Some Westerns are set as early as the Battle of...
and adventure films to his credit, he directed the first Thai
Cinema of Thailand
The cinema of Thailand dates back to the early days of filmmaking, when King Chulalongkorn's 1897 visit to Bern, Switzerland was recorded by Francois-Henri Lavancy-Clarke. The film was then brought to Bangkok, where it was exhibited...
-Hollywood co-production, Miss Suwanna of Siam
Miss Suwanna of Siam
Miss Suwanna of Siam, or Nang Sao Suwan, was a 1923 romance film written and directed by Henry MacRae, set in Thailand and starring Thai actors. It was one of first feature films to be made in Thailand, and was the first Hollywood co-production in Thailand...
, in 1923.
His first "talkie" was the first Tarzan
Tarzan
Tarzan is a fictional character, an archetypal feral child raised in the African jungles by the Mangani "great apes"; he later experiences civilization only to largely reject it and return to the wild as a heroic adventurer...
movie with sound, Tarzan the Tiger in 1929. He also directed several westerns starring Hoot Gibson
Hoot Gibson
Hoot Gibson was an American rodeo champion and a pioneer cowboy film actor, director and producer.-Early life and career:...
, a Tom Mix
Tom Mix
Thomas Edwin "Tom" Mix was an American film actor and the star of many early Western movies. He made a reported 336 films between 1910 and 1935, all but nine of which were silent features...
western and movies featuring Rex the Wonder Horse.
His producer credits in the 1940s include such serial films as The Green Hornet
The Green Hornet
The Green Hornet is an American radio and television masked vigilante created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, with input from radio director James Jewell, in 1936. Since his radio debut in the 1930s, the Green Hornet has appeared in numerous serialized dramas in a wide variety of media...
and Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe
Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe
Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe is a 1940 twelve episode serial film about Flash Gordon. It was the last of three Flash Gordon serials made from 1936 to 1940. The serial was produced and copyrighted by Universal Pictures....
.
Selected filmography
- Flash Gordon Conquers the UniverseFlash Gordon Conquers the UniverseFlash Gordon Conquers the Universe is a 1940 twelve episode serial film about Flash Gordon. It was the last of three Flash Gordon serials made from 1936 to 1940. The serial was produced and copyrighted by Universal Pictures....
(19401940 in filmThe year 1940 in film involved some significant events, including the premieres of the Walt Disney classics Pinocchio and Fantasia.-Events:*February 7 - Walt Disney's animated film Pinocchio is released....
) - Flash GordonFlash Gordon (serial)Flash Gordon is a 1936 science fiction film serial. Told in 13 installments, it was the first screen adventure for the comic-strip character Flash Gordon, and tells the story of his first visit to the planet Mongo and his encounter with the evil Emperor Ming the Merciless. Buster Crabbe, Jean...
(19361936 in filmThe year 1936 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 29 - Fritz Lang's first Hollywood film Fury, starring Spencer Tracy and Bruce Cabot, is released.*November 6 - first Porky Pig animated cartoon...
) - The Lost SpecialThe Lost Special (serial)The Lost Special is a Universal movie serial based on the story The Lost Special by Arthur Conan Doyle. This adaptation does not include Conan Doyle's character Sherlock Holmes, and moves events to the American West....
(19321932 in film-Events:*Cary Grant's film career begins*Katharine Hepburn's film career begins*Shirley Temple's film career begins*Disney released Flowers and Trees, the first cartoon in three-strip Technicolor film.*Santa, first sound film made in Mexico released....
) - The Jade BoxThe Jade BoxThe Jade Box is a Universal movie serial. It was a partially sound film with large silent elements. Only an incomplete version survives today.-Plot:...
(19301930 in film-Events:* November 1: The Big Trail featuring a young John Wayne in his first starring role is released in both 35mm, and a very early form of 70mm film and was the first large scale big-budget film of the sound era costing over $2 million. The film was praised for its aesthetic quality and realism...
) - The Indians Are ComingThe Indians Are ComingThe Indians Are Coming is a Universal movie serial based on the book The Great West That Was by William "Buffalo Bill" Cody. The serial was the first "all-talking" film of its kind...
(1930) - The Ace of Scotland YardThe Ace of Scotland YardThe Ace of Scotland Yard is a Universal movie serial. It was the first partial sound serial released by Universal Pictures ....
(19291929 in film-Events:The days of the silent film are numbered. A mad scramble to provide synchronized sound is on.*January 20 - The movie In Old Arizona is released. The film is the first full-length talking film to be filmed outdoors....
) - Tarzan the TigerTarzan the TigerTarzan the Tiger is a Universal movie serial based on the novel Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It stars Frank Merrill as Tarzan, Natalie Kingston as Jane, and Al Ferguson. It was written by Ian McClosky Heath and directed by Henry MacRae.It was considered lost at one time...
(1929) - Burning the WindBurning the WindBurning the Wind is a 1929 romance film directed by Herbert Blaché and Henry MacRae, starring Hoot Gibson and featuring Boris Karloff.-Cast:* Hoot Gibson - Richard Gordon Jr* Virginia Brown Faire - Maria Valdez* Cesare Gravina - Don Ramón Valdez...
(1929) - The Trail of the TigerThe Trail of the TigerThe Trail of the Tiger is a 1927 film serial directed by Henry MacRae. The film is considered to be lost.-Cast:* Jack Dougherty - Jack Stewart * Frances Teague - Trixie Hemingway* Jack Mower - Tiger Jordan...
(19271927 in film-Events:*January 10 - Fritz Lang's science-fiction fantasy Metropolis premieres in Germany.*April 7 - Abel Gance's Napoleon often considered his best known and greatest masterpiece, premiers at the Paris Opéra and would demonstrate techniques and equipment that would not be used for years to...
) - Strings of SteelStrings of SteelStrings of Steel is a 1926 action film serial directed by Henry MacRae. The film is considered to be lost.-Cast:* William Desmond - Ned Brown* Eileen Sedgwick - Gloria Van Norton* Albert J. Smith - Peter Allen* Arthur Morrison - Jim Hogan...
(19261926 in film-Events:*August - Warner Brothers debuts the first Vitaphone film, Don Juan. The Vitaphone system used multiple 33⅓ rpm disc records developed by Bell Telephone Laboratories and Western Electric to play back audio synchronized with film....
) - The Scarlet StreakThe Scarlet StreakThe Scarlet Streak is a 1925 action film serial directed by Henry MacRae.-Cast:* Jack Dougherty - Bob Evans * Lola Todd - Mary Crawford* John Elliott - Professor Richard Crawford* Albert J. Smith - Count 'K'...
(19251925 in film-Events:*November 5: The Big Parade holds its Grand Premier*December 30: premier of Ben-Hur the most expensive silent film ever made costing 4-6 million dollars -Top grossing films :...
) - Ace of SpadesAce of Spades (serial)Ace of Spades is a 1925 Western film serial directed by Henry MacRae. The film is considered to be lost.-Cast:* William Desmond - Dan Harvey* Mary McAllister - Olive Heath* Albert J. Smith - Joe Deneen* William Steele - Jim Heath Ace of Spades is a 1925 Western film serial directed by Henry MacRae....
(1925) - Miss Suwanna of SiamMiss Suwanna of SiamMiss Suwanna of Siam, or Nang Sao Suwan, was a 1923 romance film written and directed by Henry MacRae, set in Thailand and starring Thai actors. It was one of first feature films to be made in Thailand, and was the first Hollywood co-production in Thailand...
(19231923 in film-Events:*April 15 - Lee De Forest demonstrates the Phonofilm sound-on-film system at the Rivoli Theater in New York with a series of short musical films featuring vaudeville performers.-Top grossing films :-Films released in 1923:U.S.A...
) - The Dragon's NetThe Dragon's NetThe Dragon's Net is a 1920 action film serial directed by Henry MacRae. It was adapted from J. Allan Dunn's "The Petals of Lao-Tze," from the December 18, 1917 issue of Adventure. Many scenes were shot in the Far East and Hawaii...
(19201920 in filmThe year 1920 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 27 - The Mark of Zorro, starring Douglas Fairbanks opens.-Top grossing films :-Films released in 1920:U.S.A. unless stated*The $1,000,000 Reward...
) - Elmo the MightyElmo the MightyElmo the Mighty is a 1919 Western film serial directed by Henry MacRae. The film is now considered to be lost.-Cast:* Elmo Lincoln - Captain Elmo Armstrong* Grace Cunard - Lucille Gray* Fred Starr* Virginia Kraft* Ivor McFadden* James Cole...
(19191919 in filmThe year 1919 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*February 5 - Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith launch United Artists...
) - The Phantom RidersThe Phantom RidersThe Phantom Riders is a 1918 Western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. The film is considered to be lost.-Production:Filming took place from September 7-27, 1917. Released in January 1918 as a Universal Special feature, The Phantom Riders was a 50-minute silent film on five...
(19181918 in filmThe year 1918 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Following litigation for anti-trust activities, the US Supreme Court orders the Motion Picture Patents Company to disband....
) - Bull's EyeBull's Eye (serial)Bull's Eye is a 1917 film serial directed by James W. Horne. It is now considered to be lost.-Cast:* Eddie Polo - Cody* Vivian Reed - Cora Clayton* Frank Lanning - Nathan Loose* Ray Hanford - John Clayton* William Welsh - John North...
(19171917 in filmThe year 1917 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Foundation of Universum Film AG , as a propaganda film company, in Berlin.*Technicolor System 1, a two-color process, is introduced...
) - The Mystery ShipThe Mystery ShipThe Mystery Ship is a 1917 adventure film serial directed by Harry Harvey and Henry MacRae. The film is considered to be lost.-Cast:* Ben F...
(1917) - GuiltyGuilty (1916 film)Guilty is a 1916 silent drama film featuring Harry Carey.-Cast:* Harry Carey* Edith Johnson* Lee Shumway - * Peggy Coudray* Lee Hill* Mark Fenton* Edwin Wallock - * Hector Sarno -...
(19161916 in filmThe year 1916 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 17 - release of A Daughter of the Gods, the first US production with a million dollar budget, with the first nude scene by a major star....
) - The ConspiracyThe ConspiracyThe Conspiracy is a 1916 drama film featuring Harry Carey.-Cast:* Harry Carey* Edith Johnson* Lee Shumway - * Edwin Wallock -...
(1916) - Behind the LinesBehind the Lines (film)Behind the Lines is a 1916 silent drama film featuring Harry Carey.-Cast:* Edith Johnson - Nina Garcia* Harry Carey - Dr. Ralph Hamlin* Ruth Clifford - Camilla* Mark Fenton - Señor Garcia * Miriam Shelby - Señnora Cano...
(1916) - LibertyLiberty (serial)Liberty is a 1916 Western film serial directed by Jacques Jaccard and Henry MacRae. It was the first purely western serial ever made...
(1916) - The Trey o' HeartsThe Trey o' HeartsThe Trey o' Hearts is a 1914 action film serial directed by Wilfred Lucas and Henry MacRae. It was based on the novel of the same name by Louis Joseph Vance...
(19141914 in filmThe year 1914 in film involved some significant events, including the debut of Cecil B. DeMille as a director.-Events:*The 3,300-seat Mark Strand Theatre opens in New York City....
) - The WerewolfThe Werewolf (1913 film)The Werewolf is a silent film short that is the first werewolf film, and was directed by Henry MacRae. It was produced by Bison Film Company, released by Universal Studios, and is now considered a lost film, all prints supposedly having been destroyed in a 1924 fire...
(19131913 in filmThe year 1913 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* The Squaw Man, the first Hollywood feature film, is made.* December 29, Charlie Chaplin signs a contract with Mack Sennett to begin making films at Keystone Studios.* D. W...
) - In the Secret ServiceIn the Secret ServiceIn the Secret Service is a 1913 short Western film directed by Henry MacRae.-Cast:* Charles Bartlett* Phyllis Gordon - Edith* Richard Stanton - Frank Armor * Hoot Gibson* Bertha Blanchard...
(1913)