Alan Crosland (August 10, 1894 – July 16, 1936) was an American stage actor and film director. He is noted for having directed the first feature film using spoken dialogue, ''

The Jazz Singer ''The Jazz Singer'' is a 1927 American musical drama film directed by Alan Crosland. It is the first feature-length motion picture with both synchronized recorded music score as well as lip-synchronous singing and speech (in several isolated ...

'' (1927).

Early life and career

Born in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

, New York to a well-to-do

Jewish Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""The ...

family, Crosland attended

Dartmouth College Dartmouth College (; ) is a private research university in Hanover, New Hampshire. Established in 1769 by Eleazar Wheelock, it is one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. Although founded to educate Native A ...

. After graduation, he took a job as a writer with the ''

New York Globe ''The New York Globe'', also called ''The New York Evening Globe'', was a daily New York City newspaper published from 1904 to 1923, when it was bought and merged into ''The New York Sun''. It is not related to a New York City-based Saturday fami ...

'' magazine. Interested in the theatre, he began acting on stage, appearing in several productions with

Shakespearian William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

actress

Annie Russell Annie may refer to: People and fictional characters * Annie (given name), a given name and a list of people and fictional characters with the name * Annie (actress) (born 1975), Indian actress * Annie (singer) (born 1977), Norwegian singer The ...

. Crosland began his career in the

motion picture A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...

industry in 1912 at

Edison Studios Edison Studios was an American film production organization, owned by companies controlled by inventor and entrepreneur, Thomas Edison. The studio made close to 1,200 films, as part of the Edison Manufacturing Company (1894–1911) and then Thom ...

The Bronx The Bronx () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the state of New York. It is south of Westchester County; north and east of the New York City borough of Manhattan, across the Harlem River; and north of the New Y ...

, New York, where he worked at various jobs for two years until he had learned the business sufficiently well to begin directing

short film A short film is any motion picture that is short enough in running time not to be considered a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes ...

s. By 1917, he was directing feature-length films and in 1920 directed

Olive Thomas Olive Thomas (born Oliva R. Duffy; October 20, 1894 – September 10, 1920) was an American silent-film actress, art model, and photo model. Thomas began her career as an illustrator's model in 1914, and moved on to the ''Ziegfeld Follies'' th ...

in ''

The Flapper ''The Flapper'' is a 1920 American silent comedy film starring Olive Thomas. Directed by Alan Crosland, the film was the first in the United States to portray the "flapper" lifestyle, which became a cultural craze or fad in the 1920s. Plot Si ...

'', one of her final films before her death in September of that year. In 1925, Crosland was working for Jesse L. Lasky's film production company

Famous Players-Lasky Famous Players-Lasky Corporation was an American motion picture and distribution company formed on June 28, 1916, from the merger of Adolph Zukor's Famous Players Film Company—originally formed by Zukor as Famous Players in Famous Plays—and ...

(later

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldes ...

) when he was hired by

Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (commonly known as Warner Bros. or abbreviated as WB) is an American film and entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California, and a subsidiary of Warner Bros. D ...

to work at their Hollywood studios. He had directed several

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, when ...

s for Warner's including directing ''

Don Juan Don Juan (), also known as Don Giovanni (Italian), is a legendary, fictional Spanish libertine who devotes his life to seducing women. Famous versions of the story include a 17th-century play, '' El burlador de Sevilla y convidado de piedra'' ...

'' starring

John Barrymore John Barrymore (born John Sidney Blyth; February 14 or 15, 1882 – May 29, 1942) was an American actor on stage, screen and radio. A member of the Drew and Barrymore theatrical families, he initially tried to avoid the stage, and briefly att ...

in 1926. It was the first feature-length film with synchronized

Vitaphone Vitaphone was a sound film system used for feature films and nearly 1,000 short subjects made by Warner Bros. and its sister studio First National from 1926 to 1931. Vitaphone was the last major analog sound-on-disc system and the only one th ...

sound effects and musical

soundtrack A soundtrack is recorded music accompanying and synchronised to the images of a motion picture, drama, book, television program, radio program, or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack o ...

, though it has no spoken dialogue. He was chosen to direct

Al Jolson Al Jolson (born Eizer Yoelson; June 9, 1886 – October 23, 1950) was a Lithuanian-American Jews, Jewish singer, comedian, actor, and vaudevillian. He was one of the United States' most famous and highest-paid stars of the 1920s, and was self-bi ...

in ''

'' (1927). The film would make him famous as the first of the new

talkies A sound film is a motion picture with synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image, as opposed to a silent film. The first known public exhibition of projected sound films took place in Paris in 1900, but decades passed before ...

that changed the course of motion pictures.

Death

Crosland died in 1936 at the age of 41 as a result of an automobile accident on

Sunset Boulevard Sunset Boulevard is a boulevard in the central and western part of Los Angeles, California, that stretches from the Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades east to Figueroa Street in Downtown Los Angeles. It is a major thoroughfare in t ...

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

. He is interred in the

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood Forever Cemetery is a full-service cemetery, funeral home, crematory, and cultural events center which regularly hosts community events such as live music and summer movie screenings. It is one of the oldest cemeteries in Los Angeles ...

. His grave remained unmarked for 67 years until a

headstone A headstone, tombstone, or gravestone is a stele or marker, usually stone, that is placed over a grave. It is traditional for burials in the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim religions, among others. In most cases, it has the deceased's name, da ...

was donated by The Hollywood Underground in 2003. His son, Alan Crosland Jr. (1918–2001), would also have a successful career as a television director. Juanita Fletcher was his mother.

Filmography

* '' Santa Claus vs. Cupid'' (1915) (writer) * ''

Kidnapped Kidnapped may refer to: * subject to the crime of kidnapping Literature * ''Kidnapped'' (novel), an 1886 novel by Robert Louis Stevenson * ''Kidnapped'' (comics), a 2007 graphic novel adaptation of R. L. Stevenson's novel by Alan Grant and Ca ...

'' (1917) * '' The Light in Darkness'' (1917) * '' Chris and His Wonderful Lamp'' (1917) * '' The Little Chevalier'' (1917) * '' The Apple Tree Girl'' (1917) * '' The Whirlpool'' (1918) * ''

The Unbeliever ''The Unbeliever'' is a 1918 American silent propaganda film made towards the end of World War I. It was directed by Alan Crosland for the Edison Company towards its last days as a functioning film-making company. It stars Raymond McKee and Marg ...

'' (1918) * ''

The Country Cousin ''The Country Cousin'' is a Walt Disney animated short film released on October 31, 1936 by United Artists. The winner of an Oscar at the 9th Academy Awards for Best Animated Short Film, the film was produced by Walt Disney, directed by Wilfred J ...

'' (1919) * ''

Greater Than Fame ''Greater Than Fame'' is a 1920 American silent drama film produced and distributed by Selznick Pictures. It was directed by Alan Crosland and stars Elaine Hammerstein. It is not known whether the film currently survives. Plot As described in ...

'' (1920) * '' Everybody's Sweetheart'' (1920) * ''

Youthful Folly ''Youthful Folly'' is a 1934 British drama film directed by Miles Mander and starring Irene Vanbrugh, Jane Carr and Mary Lawson. It was a quota quickie made at Shepperton Studios for release by Columbia Pictures.Chibnall p.281 It portrays the l ...

'' (1920) * ''

The Point of View ''The Point of View'' is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by Alan Crosland and starring Elaine Hammerstein, Rockliffe Fellowes, and Arthur Housman. Cast * Elaine Hammerstein as Marjory Thorncroft * Rockliffe Fellowes as David L ...

'' (1920) * ''

Broadway and Home ''Broadway and Home'' is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by Alan Crosland and starring Eugene O'Brien, Elinor Fair and Warren Cook.Monaco p.139 Cast * Eugene O'Brien as Michael Strange * Elinor Fair as Mary Bruce * Warren Cook a ...

'' (1920) * '' Worlds Apart'' (1921) * '' Is Life Worth Living?'' (1921) * ''

Room and Board Room and board is a phrase describing a situation in which, in exchange for money, Manual labour, labor or other considerations, a person is provided with a place to live as well as meals on a comprehensive basis. It commonly occurs as a fee at h ...

'' (1921) * ''

Slim Shoulders ''Slim Shoulders'' is a lost 1922 silent film society drama directed by Alan Crosland and starring Irene Castle. Cast *Irene Castle - Naomi Warren * Rod La Rocque - Richard Langden *Anders Randolf - Edward Langden *Warren Cook - John Clinton War ...

'' (1922) * ''

Shadows of the Sea ''Shadows of the Sea'' is a lost 1922 American silent thriller film directed by Alan Crosland and starring Conway Tearle, Doris Kenyon, and Crauford Kent.Monaco p. 139 Cast * Conway Tearle as Captain Dick Carson * Doris Kenyon as Dorothy Jord ...

'' (1922) * ''

The Face in the Fog ''The Face in the Fog'' is a 1922 American silent film produced by Cosmopolitan Productions and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It was directed by Alan Crosland and starred Lionel Barrymore. An incomplete print is preserved at the Library of C ...

'' (1922) * '' Why Announce Your Marriage?'' (1922) * ''

The Snitching Hour ''The Snitching Hour'' is a 1922 American silent comedy film directed by Alan Crosland and starring Arthur Housman, Gladys Leslie, and Nita Naldi.Monaco p. 139 Cast * Arthur Housman as Bunny * Gladys Leslie as Lois Dickerson * Frank Currier a ...

'' (1922) * '' The Prophet's Paradise'' (1922) * ''

Enemies of Women ''Enemies of Women'' is a 1923 American silent romantic drama film directed by Alan Crosland and starring Lionel Barrymore, Alma Rubens, Gladys Hulette, Pedro de Cordoba, and Paul Panzer. The film was produced by William Randolph Hearst throu ...

'' (1923) * '' Under the Red Robe'' (1923) * '' Three Weeks'' (1924) * ''

Miami Miami ( ), officially the City of Miami, known as "the 305", "The Magic City", and "Gateway to the Americas", is a East Coast of the United States, coastal metropolis and the County seat, county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade C ...

'' (1924) * ''

Unguarded Women ''Unguarded Women'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Alan Crosland and starring Bebe Daniels. It was produced by Famous Players–Lasky and released by Paramount Pictures. Plot The film is about a man who, rather than be with the ...

'' (1924) * '' Sinners in Heaven'' (1924) * '' Contraband'' (1925) * ''

Compromise To compromise is to make a deal between different parties where each party gives up part of their demand. In arguments, compromise is a concept of finding agreement through communication, through a mutual acceptance of terms—often involving va ...

'' (1925) * ''

Bobbed Hair A bob cut, also known as a bob, is a short to medium length haircut, in which the hair is typically cut straight around the head at approximately jaw level, but no longer than shoulder-length, often with fringe or bangs at the front. The standa ...

'' (1925) * ''

'' (1926) * '' When a Man Loves'' (1927) * ''

The Beloved Rogue ''The Beloved Rogue'' is a 1927 American silent romantic adventure film, loosely based on the life of the 15th century French poet, François Villon. The film was directed by Alan Crosland for United Artists. François Villon is played by J ...

'' (1927) * ''

Old San Francisco ''Old San Francisco'' is a 1927 American silent historical drama film starring Dolores Costello and featuring Warner Oland. The film, which was produced and distributed by Warner Bros., was directed by Alan Crosland. Plot Chris Buckwell, cruel ...

'' (1927) * ''

Glorious Betsy ''Glorious Betsy'' is a 1928 silent film with talking sequences. It is based on the 1908 play of the same name by Rida Johnson Young, and it stars Dolores Costello. It was produced by Warner Bros. and nominated for an Academy Award for Best Wr ...

'' (1928) * '' The Scarlet Lady'' (1928) * '' On with the Show'' (1929) * ''

General Crack ''General Crack'' is a 1929 American pre-Code part-talkie historical costume melodrama with Technicolor sequences which was directed by Alan Crosland and produced and distributed by Warner Bros. It was filmed and premiered in 1929, and release ...

'' (1929) * ''

The Furies The Erinyes ( ; sing. Erinys ; grc, Ἐρινύες, pl. of ), also known as the Furies, and the Eumenides, were female chthonic deities of vengeance in ancient Greek religion and mythology. A formulaic oath in the ''Iliad'' invokes ...

'' (1930) * ''

Song of the Flame ''Song of the Flame'' is a 1930 American pre-Code musical film photographed entirely in Technicolor. It was produced and distributed by First National Pictures. It was the first color film to feature a widescreen sequence, using a process called ...

'' (1930) * '' Big Boy'' (1930) * ''

Viennese Nights ''Viennese Nights'' is a 1930 American all-talking pre-Code musical operetta film directed by Alan Crosland and starring Alexander Gray, Vivienne Segal, Walter Pidgeon, Jean Hersholt, Bela Lugosi and Louise Fazenda. It was photographed ...

'' (1930) * '' Captain Thunder'' (1930) * ''

Children of Dreams ''Children of Dreams'' is a 1931 American Pre-Code Hollywood, pre-Code musical film, musical operetta drama film photographed entirely in Part Technicolor and produced and distributed by Warner Bros. The film was directed by Alan Crosland. ''C ...

'' (1931) * '' The Silver Lining'' (1932) * ''

Week Ends Only ''Week Ends Only'' is a 1932 American pre-Code film directed by Alan Crosland and starring Joan Bennett, Ben Lyon and John Halliday. It was made by Fox Film Corporation. The screenplay was written by William M. Conselman and Samuel Hopkins Adam ...

'' (1932) * ''

Massacre A massacre is the killing of a large number of people or animals, especially those who are not involved in any fighting or have no way of defending themselves. A massacre is generally considered to be morally unacceptable, especially when per ...

'' (1934) * ''

The Personality Kid ''The Personality Kid'' is a 1934 American drama film directed by Alan Crosland, starring Pat O'Brien and Glenda Farrell. The film was based on a story by Gene Towne and C. Graham Baker. It was released by Warner Bros. on July 7, 1934. A young p ...

'' (1934) * ''

Midnight Alibi ''Midnight Alibi'' is a 1934 pre-Code crime comedy-drama directed by Alan Crosland, produced by First National Pictures, distributed by Warner Bros. and starring Richard Barthelmess. Midnight Alibi is an adaptation of Damon Runyon's 1933 short s ...

'' (1934) * ''

The Case of the Howling Dog ''The Case of the Howling Dog'' is a 1934 American mystery film directed by Alan Crosland, based on the 1934 novel of the same name by Erle Stanley Gardner. The film stars Warren William and Mary Astor. This was the first in a series of four film ...

'' (1934) * ''

The White Cockatoo ''The White Cockatoo'' is a 1935 American mystery film directed by Alan Crosland and starring Jean Muir, Ricardo Cortez and Ruth Donnelly. It was based on the 1933 novel of the same name by Mignon G. Eberhart. A print is preserved in the Library ...

'' (1935) * '' It Happened in New York'' (1935) * ''

Mister Dynamite ''Mister Dynamite'' is a 1935 American action film directed by Alan Crosland and written by Doris Malloy and Harry Clork. The film stars Edmund Lowe, Jean Dixon, Victor Varconi, Esther Ralston, Verna Hillie and Minor Watson. The film was releas ...

'' (1935) * ''

Lady Tubbs ''Lady Tubbs'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by Alan Crosland and written by Barry Trivers. The film stars Alice Brady, Douglass Montgomery, Anita Louise, Alan Mowbray, June Clayworth and Hedda Hopper. The film was released on July 2, 1 ...

'' (1935) * ''

King Solomon of Broadway ''King Solomon of Broadway'' is a 1935 American musical film directed by Alan Crosland and starring Edmund Lowe, Dorothy Page and Pinky Tomlin.Monaco p.139 A shady figure wins a nightclub during a card game. Cast * Edmund Lowe as King Solomon ...

'' (1935) * '' The Great Impersonation'' (1935) * ''

The Case of the Black Cat ''The Case of the Black Cat'' is a 1936 American mystery film directed by William C. McGann and an uncredited Alan Crosland, based on the 1935 Perry Mason novel '' The Case of the Caretaker's Cat'' by Erle Stanley Gardner. The film stars Ricardo ...

'' (1936)

References

External links

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Crosland, Alan 1894 births 1936 deaths American film directors Film producers from New York (state) American male screenwriters American male stage actors Jewish American screenwriters Male actors from New York City Road incident deaths in California Burials at Hollywood Forever Cemetery Dartmouth College alumni Screenwriters from New York (state) 20th-century American male writers 20th-century American screenwriters 20th-century American Jews