Director, Writer, Actor

Born: February 2, 1886 Glasgow Scotland

Died: August 10, 1960 Santa Monica, California

Frank Lloyd was one of Hollywood's pioneering film directors. His 48 year career began in 1913 as an actor in one-reel silents and concluded in the 1950s, with the direction of a wide screen technicolor feature. More than 187 films are credited to Lloyd as an actor, writer, producer and/or director. A Scot by birth, he developed his acting and singing start in vaudeville, emigrated to Hollywood and quickly earned a fine and professional reputation in the pictures, working with many of the great actors and in legendary studios. Frank Lloyd was one of the founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) as well as the Directors' Guild. Some of his best known films, which survive today, are:

• • "Tale of Two Cities" (1917) with William Farnum playing the double role
• • "Oliver Twist" (1922), child sensation Jackie Coogan and his friend Lon Chaney
• • "Sea Hawk"(1924) Lloyd's first great epic, a passion for the Sea to continue all his career
• • "The Divine Lady" (1929) starring Corinne Griffith, his first Oscar for Best Direction,
• • "Cavalcade"(1933), Best Picture Oscar, another Oscar for Best Direction
• • "Mutiny on the Bounty"(1935), Best Picture Oscar, stunning ocean, island scenes
• • "Under Two Flags" (1936) Claudette Colbert and Ronald Colman, superb filming desert scenes
• • "If I Were King" (1938) with Colman and Rathbone, spicy script by Preston Sturges
• • "The Howards of Virginia" (1940) filmed on location in Williamsburg, with Cary Grant
• • "Blood on the Sun"(1945), with his friend James Cagney
• • "The Last Command" (1955), on location at The Alamo, with Sterling Hayden.

Click "Tribute Reel" to watch a short introduction to the life and work of Frank Lloyd.

You can visit his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6669 Hollywood Blvd. (near Las Palmas).Right in front of Musso & Franks one of his favorite old haunts! (link to star video when we get it)

Frank Lloyd Films is dedicated to the preservation and presenting the films of Frank Lloyd. Click "Now Showing" to find local screenings, festival information, and current television programming. Don't miss "Mutiny on the Bounty" playing August 12th on TCM. Also showing on TCM August 22nd "The Last Command" (1955) at 6pm.

Every two months "Movie in the Spotlight" presents a closer look at one of Frank Lloyd's best films. Film clips, stills, lobby cards, and behind the scenes scoops will all be highlighted. Featured for June and July "Under Two Flags". Thanks to everyone who attended the screening of UCLA's stunningly restored 110 minute director's cut on Sunday, May 31, 2009 at at the Billy Wilder Theater (more info). A special thanks to the UCLA Film and Television Archive for restoring the film to it's full length and glory.

And be sure to check out our Photo of the Month. This month:

Jack Benny visits Ronald Coleman on the set of "If I Were King" 1938.

click for larger picture and more info