Harry Beaumont was born in Abilene, Kansas, in the year 1888, marking the beginning of a show-business career that would span many decades to come. Leaving school behind, he joined a traveling stock company as an actor, and eventually made his way to the stages of New York City. In 1912, he began working as a film actor for Edison studios, located just across the river in New Jersey, appearing in a wide range of productions, from two-reel shorts to serials, and also started writing screenplays.
As his experience and skills grew, Beaumont began directing films in 1915, initially staying with Edison for a year before moving to Essanay Studios. He then went on to work with various other studios, earning a reputation as a reliable and efficient director who could deliver films on time and within budget, thus guaranteeing him a steady stream of work.
The 1920s proved to be Beaumont's most productive period, as he worked in the esteemed atmosphere of MGM, often referred to as the "Tiffany" of studios. During this time, he directed major productions such as Main Street (1923) and Beau Brummel (1924),and was entrusted with the careers of prominent stars like Joan Crawford and John Barrymore.
In 1929, MGM awarded Beaumont the honor of directing its first sound musical, The Broadway Melody, which went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture. Unfortunately, this picture marked the pinnacle of his career, and his subsequent films, mainly made at MGM, did not rise above the "B" level. Beaumont continued directing until the 1940s, and his final film, Alias a Gentleman, was released in 1948. He passed away in Santa Monica, California, in the year 1966.
