Director, writer, and producer Lt. Edward Hilaire Griffith was born Aug. 23, 1875, in Lynchburg, Va. Educated in England and Europe, Griffith started out as a newspaper reporter and a magazine writer. He became an actor/writer for the Edison Company in 1915. After Edison folded in 1917, Griffith remained busy at most of the major studios throughout the silent era. He soon began directing two-reelers, graduating to features in 1917. Griffith was a director of motion pictures for the War Department in World War I. He was also responsible for the first film version of Philip Barry's Holiday (1930), was both producer and director of several Paramount productions of the early 1940s, and directed The Sky's the Limit (1943) featuring Fred Astaire. Griffith died March 3, 1975, in South Laguna, Calif. Collection consists of letters including correspondence with a French company interested in showcasing his films in France, carb! on copies of letters, scripts and play scenarios written by or handled by Griffith mostly from 1915-1922; a scrapbook with 3 photographs and about 150 printed movie and play programs, some with manuscripts notes by Griffith; and 2 notebooks with manuscripts notes for film ideas.

Director, writer, and producer Lt. Edward Hilaire Griffith was born Aug. 23, 1875, in Lynchburg, Va. Educated in England and Europe, Griffith started out as a newspaper reporter and a magazine writer. He became an actor/writer for the Edison Company in 1915. After Edison folded in 1917, Griffith remained busy at most of the major studios throughout the silent era. He soon began directing two-reelers, graduating to features in 1917. Griffith was a director of motion pictures for the War Department in World War I. He was also responsible for the first film version of Philip Barry's Holiday (1930), was both producer and director of several Paramount productions of the early 1940s, and directed The Sky's the Limit (1943) featuring Fred Astaire. Griffith died March 3, 1975, in South Laguna, Calif.

4 boxes (2 linear ft.)

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