Arthur Rosson | |
|---|---|
 Rosson in 1921 | |
| Born | (1886-08-24)24 August 1886 London, England |
| Died | 17 June 1960(1960-06-17) (aged 73) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Film director,second unit director |
| Years active | 1912–1960 |
| Spouse(s) | Louise Irana Niedermeyer (divorced) Odetta M Bray (m.1940) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Richard Rosson (brother) Harold Rosson (brother) Helene Rosson (sister) |
Arthur Henry Rosson (24 August 1886 – 17 June 1960) was an Englishfilm director. From 1917 to 1948, Rosson directed 61 feature films (including co-direction ofRed River).[1] He also worked on many major films as asecond unit director until 1960, particularly forCecil B. DeMille.
Arthur Rosson was born on 24 August 1886 inLondon, England.[2][3] He was the first child born of a jockey horse trainer, Arthur Richard Rosson, and a French woman, Hellen Rochefort Rosson.[4] Rosson came from a film-making family. His brother,Harold Rosson, was anAcademy Award-nominated cinematographer and several other family members were involved in the early film industry.[5] He was also the brother of silent film actressHelene Rosson and actor and directorRichard Rosson.[6][7]
Rosson graduated fromRogers High School inNewport, Rhode Island in 1902.[8] Rosson was a stock-exchange clerk, who wanted to make a career for himself in film. He married Louise (Lucille) Irana Niedermeyer on 2 June 1912. At the time of their marriage, Louise was three months pregnant. After their first child was born, they moved toCalifornia. The couple later divorced.[4]
Rosson began his career in film in 1917 as an assistant director and screenwriter.[9] In 1920, Rosson collaborated with his brother Hal on the filmPolly of the Storm Country. The film was shot on location at theSelig Zoo.[5] He also worked with his brother again in 1922 on the filmGarrison's Finish.[7]
Throughout the 1920s, Rosson worked withAllan Dwan on his silent films throughout his career. Rosson wrote the scripts for Dwan's filmsBloodhounds of the North andThe Honor of the Mounted. While shooting them onMt. Lowe in 1913, Rosson got lost in a canyon withLon Chaney. Rosson also writeThe Picket Guard. He and his brother Dick were actors in the 1913 filmCriminals.[10]: 30–31 Rosson was the actual director ofCheating Cheaters, while Dwan oversaw the production; however, most reviews mentioned Dwan as the director[10]: 98 Rosson also helped with staging Dwan's production ofSoldiers of Fortune in 1919.[10]: 102 Rosson again handles the duties of director for Dwan's filmA Splendid Hazard that was produced in 1920.[10]: 109
Rosson later went to Britain to directEbb Tide andWomen Who Pay in 1932. The films were produced byParamount-British productions. Shortly after, in 1934 he directedForbidden Territory[3] He also worked as the second unit director of all ofCecil B. DeMille's films[9] beginning in the 1930s.[11] He died in 1960 and is buried in theHollywood Forever Cemetery with other members of his family.[12]
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