Lansing C. Holden Jr., son of renowned architect Lansing C. Holden, Sr. (1858-1930),embarked on a fascinating journey that would span multiple disciplines. In 1917, he joined the US air service, serving in France alongside a fellow pilot who would later play a pivotal role in his Hollywood career, Merian C. Cooper.
Upon his return to the United States, Holden graduated from Princeton University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1919. He later returned to his alma mater to pursue graduate courses in Architecture, further solidifying his academic foundation.
Tragedy struck when Holden's father passed away, prompting him to open his own architecture office in New York. However, Merian C. Cooper's invitation to Hollywood would alter the course of his life. Initially, Holden worked in MGM's art department before being given the opportunity to co-direct the visually stunning She (1935).
The success of She caught the attention of David O. Selznick, who hired Holden to oversee the color elements of The Garden of Allah (1936). This marked a significant milestone in Holden's career, as he continued to work in the film industry, albeit briefly.
Regrettably, Holden's career was cut short due to his untimely death in a plane crash. His final credit was as director of the short documentary Pow Wow (1938),which explored the rich culture of the Navajo tribe.
