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February 1889, La Caņada, California - 6 January 1949, Cottonwood,
Arizona
Victor Fleming entered the film business as a stuntman in 1910,
mainly doing stunt driving - which came easy to him, as he had been
a mechanic and professional race-car driver. He became interested in
working on the other side of the camera, and eventually got a job as
a cameraman on many of the films of Douglas Fairbanks. Fleming soon
rose to the rank of cinematographer, working with both Dwan and D.
W. Griffith, and directed his first film in 1919.
Many of Fleming's silent films were action movies, often starring
Douglas Fairbanks, or Westerns, and with his robust attitude and
love of outdoor sports he became known as a "man's director". But he
also proved an effective director of women. Under his direction,
Vivien Leigh won the Best Actress Oscar, Hattie McDaniel won for
Best Supporting Actress, and Ingrid Bergman was nominated.
He directed 40 films in his long career. |
