Allan Dwan

Born in Toronto (Canada) in 1885, Allan Dwan trained as an engineer before becoming interested in the budding film industry and joining the Essanay studios as a script writer in 1909. He quickly and easily moved into film making and proved to be a true innovator, particularly in the technical field. He directed such stars as Mary Pickford and Gloria Swanson and became the preferred director of Douglas Fairbanks, with whom he made 11 movies, including the famous Robin Hood (1922).

He continued his prolific career in the talkies, although too often confined to making B movies. During his 50 year career, he made more than 400 movies, the latest being in 1961 at the age of 76. He died in Los Angeles in 1981 at the age of 96. —Octuor de France