William Beaudine: A Prolific Director's Journey
Born on January 15, 1892, in New York City, William Beaudine began his career in the film industry as a prop boy, factotum, and extra in 1909. He worked with D.W. Griffith, the father of American film, and began appearing as an actor in Mack Sennett's Biograph films in 1912. Beaudine's early work included directing films for Mary Pickford at United Artists, including "Little Annie Rooney" (1925) and "Sparrows" (1926),a Gothic suspense thriller that reportedly influenced "The Night of the Hunter" (1955).
Beaudine's silent film career spanned over a decade, during which he directed over 150 short comedies and feature films. He was known for his efficient filmmaking style, editing in the camera, and ability to work quickly and economically. His attitude towards most of the films he was shooting at the time can be summed up by an incident in the 1940s, when he was informed that an East Side Kids quickie he was making for Monogram was falling behind schedule. His reply was, "You mean someone out there is actually waiting to see this...?"
The advent of sound changed Beaudine's career trajectory. He struggled to find work in the early 1930s, but eventually returned to the US and began directing low-budget films for Monogram and PRC. His lowest point was directing the notorious "Mom and Dad" (1945),a "hygiene" picture that featured footage of a live birth and was marketed as a way to educate audiences about sex. The film was a huge success, grossing an estimated $100 million and making it the most profitable film in history on a return-on-investment basis.
In the 1950s, Beaudine slowed his pace, directing only 23 films, most of them for Allied Artists. He continued to work in television, directing hundreds of episodes of popular series, including shows for Walt Disney. By the 1960s, he was one of the principal directors on "Lassie" (1954),eventually passing the baton on to his son, William Beaudine Jr., upon his retirement from the show.
William Beaudine died on March 18, 1970, leaving behind a legacy of over 350 films and hundreds of television episodes. In 2005, "Mom and Dad" was honored by the Library of Congress' National Film Registry with the inclusion of the film on the list of the nation's cinematic treasures.
