Oscar C. Apfel (January 17, 1878 â€" March 21, 1938) was an American
film actor, director, screenwriter and producer. He appeared in 167
films between 1913 and 1939, and also directed 94 films between 1911
and 1927.Apfel was born in Cleveland, Ohio. After a number of years in
commerce, he decided to adopt the stage as a profession. He secured
his first professional engagement in 1900, in his hometown. He rose
rapidly and soon held a position as director and producer and was at
the time noted as being the youngest stage director in America. He
spent eleven years on the stage on Broadway then joined the Edison
Manufacturing Company. Apfel first directed for Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
in 1911â€"12, where he made the innovative short film The Passer-By
(1912). He also did some experimental work at Edison's laboratory in
Orange, on the Edison Talking Pictures devices.When Apfel left the
Edison company, he joined Reliance-Majestic Studios, remaining with
them eighteen months. In 1913, he became one of two main directors for
the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company, the other being Cecil B.
DeMille. All the first Lasky pictures were produced under his
direction. Among these were the notable successes The Squaw Man
(1914), Brewster's Millions, The Master Mind, The Only Son, The Ghost
Breaker, The Man on the Box, The Circus Man and Cameo Kirby.
film actor, director, screenwriter and producer. He appeared in 167
films between 1913 and 1939, and also directed 94 films between 1911
and 1927.Apfel was born in Cleveland, Ohio. After a number of years in
commerce, he decided to adopt the stage as a profession. He secured
his first professional engagement in 1900, in his hometown. He rose
rapidly and soon held a position as director and producer and was at
the time noted as being the youngest stage director in America. He
spent eleven years on the stage on Broadway then joined the Edison
Manufacturing Company. Apfel first directed for Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
in 1911â€"12, where he made the innovative short film The Passer-By
(1912). He also did some experimental work at Edison's laboratory in
Orange, on the Edison Talking Pictures devices.When Apfel left the
Edison company, he joined Reliance-Majestic Studios, remaining with
them eighteen months. In 1913, he became one of two main directors for
the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company, the other being Cecil B.
DeMille. All the first Lasky pictures were produced under his
direction. Among these were the notable successes The Squaw Man
(1914), Brewster's Millions, The Master Mind, The Only Son, The Ghost
Breaker, The Man on the Box, The Circus Man and Cameo Kirby.
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