Who was King Vidor? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: King Wallis Vidor

Died At Age: 88

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Eleanor Boardman (m. 1926–31), Elizabeth Hill (m. 1932–78), Florence Vidor (m. 1915–24)

father: Charles Shelton Vidorr

children: Antonia (1927–2012), Belinda (born 1930), Suzanne (1918–2003)

Directors T V & Movie Producers

Died on: November 1, 1982

place of death: Paso Robles, California, U.S.

City: Galveston, Texas

U.S. State: Texas

Recommended For You

1

What are some notable films directed by King Vidor?

Some of the notable films directed by King Vidor include "The Big Parade" (1925), "The Crowd" (1928), "Hallelujah!" (1929), "Our Daily Bread" (1934), and "War and Peace" (1956).
2

What was King Vidor's approach to directing silent films?

King Vidor was known for his innovative use of visual storytelling techniques in silent films, such as utilizing dynamic camera movements and expressive imagery to convey emotions and narratives without dialogue.
3

How did King Vidor contribute to the development of sound in films?

King Vidor was one of the early directors to successfully transition from silent films to sound films, and he played a key role in experimenting with and refining sound recording techniques to enhance storytelling in movies.
4

What themes were commonly explored in King Vidor's films?

King Vidor's films often delved into themes such as the human condition, societal issues, and the struggles of ordinary people in the face of adversity, reflecting his interest in portraying authentic and relatable narratives.
5

What impact did King Vidor have on the Golden Age of Hollywood?

King Vidor's contributions to the Golden Age of Hollywood include his role in shaping the visual and narrative aesthetics of cinema during that era, as well as influencing future generations of filmmakers with his innovative techniques and storytelling approaches.

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Childhood & Early Life

King Wallis Vidor was born on February 8, 1894, in Galveston, Texas, U.S. into a middle class family. His father, Charles, founded the Miller-Vidor Lumber Co. in Texas.

King Vidor survived the great Galveston Hurricane of 1900 which wiped out a third of the city’s population. This horrific event would remain embedded in his mind for life.

He attended the Peacock Military Academy in San Antonio where he learned the importance of discipline and hard work. A creative individual from the very beginning, he was greatly fascinated by the emerging medium of films.

He started working as a ticket collector at a local Galveston theater to learn more about cinema. Soon, he was promoted to a projectionist. Enthralled by the opportunities the new medium offered, he began shooting news events in the area and selling the clips to newsreel production companies.

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Career

King Vidor made the short films ‘Hurricane in Galveston’ and ‘The Grand Military Parade’ in 1913. He moved to Hollywood in 1915. Married by now, the young man took up a job as a clerk and a movie extra with Universal Studios.

Soon, he turned screenwriter and director with a series of six short juvenile-delinquency films for Judge Willis Brown. In 1919, he directed his first feature film, ‘The Turn in the Road.’ The success of ‘Peg o' My Heart’ in 1922 won him a long-term contract with Goldwyn Studios (later to be absorbed into MGM).

In 1925, he directed ‘The Big Parade’, a World War I film starring John Gilbert, Renée Adorée, Hobart Bosworth, and Claire McDowell in the lead roles. It was one of the early films that did not glorify war and is counted amongst the greatest war films of the era. The success of the movie established Vidor as one of the top-most directors in Hollywood.

The advent of the talkies in the late 1920s jeopardized the careers of many in Hollywood. Ever the adventurous soul, King Vidor was unfazed and made his foray into the talkies with ‘Hallelujah!’ in 1929. It was one of the first all-black films by a major studio. The ground-breaking film earned Vidor an Academy Award nomination for Best Director.

In 1931, he directed the movie, ‘The Champ’, which is the story of an alcoholic boxer who is struggling to rebuild his life for the sake of his young son. The Wallace Beery starrer was a huge critical as well as commercial hit that was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

King Vidor’s career continued to flourish for the next several years and he routinely directed films that were appreciated for their poignant content as well creative presentation. His other notable films in the 1930s include ‘Our Daily Bread’ (1934), ‘The Wedding Night’ (1935), ‘So Red the Rose’ (1935), ‘The Texas Rangers’ (1936), and ‘Stella Dallas’ (1937).

Another one of his well-known films was the Western ‘Duel in the Sun’ (1946) which starred Jennifer Jones as a half-Native American girl who gets involved in prejudice and forbidden love. The film, which also had Gregory Peck and Lionel Barrymore in leading roles, was a controversial though popular one.

The great director’s career slowed down in the 1950s and he was not as prolific as before. One of the most popular movies from this era was the 1956 war drama film ‘War and Peace’ which earned King Vidor an Academy Award nomination for Best Director.

He directed very infrequently over the ensuing years and directed his last film, ‘The Metaphor’ in 1980, marking the ending of a career that lasted for almost seven decades.

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Major Works

The King Vidor directed silent film, ‘The Crowd’, was nominated for the Academy Award for Unique and Artistic Production. Though not a great success upon its initial release, the film has been consistently hailed as one of the greatest and most enduring American silent films.

‘The Champ’ is one of his most influential films. Not only was it a huge commercial as well as critical hit, but it also began the trend of the basic story where a struggling alcoholic tries to mend his ways for the sake of his child. The film won the Academy Award for Best Story and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Awards & Achievements

King Vidor was nominated five times for an Academy Award for Best Director though he did not win any. In 1979, he was awarded an Honorary Academy Award for his "incomparable achievements as a cinematic creator and innovator.”

He was awarded the Honorable Prize for the contribution to cinema at the 11th Moscow International Film Festival in 1979.

Personal Life & Legacy

King Vidor was thrice married. His first marriage to Florence Arto from 1915 to 1924 ended in divorce. The couple had one daughter.

He married Eleanor Boardman in 1926 and had two daughters with her. This marriage ended in 1931.

He tied the knot for the third time with Elizabeth Hill in 1932.

He died of a heart ailment on November 1, 1982, at the age of 88.

Facts About King Vidor

King Vidor was known for his innovative use of camera techniques, such as crane shots and deep focus, which helped revolutionize the way films were shot during the silent era.

Vidor was a pioneer in promoting social issues through his films, tackling subjects like poverty, racism, and labor struggles in movies such as "The Crowd" and "Our Daily Bread."

Despite his success in Hollywood, Vidor often preferred to work independently and maintain creative control over his projects, which was uncommon for directors at the time.

Vidor was a talented painter and often sketched scenes from his films as a way to visualize his ideas before shooting.

In addition to his work in film, Vidor was also a published author and wrote several books on filmmaking and his experiences in the industry.

King Vidor Biography

You wanted to know

What are some notable films directed by King Vidor?

What was King Vidor's approach to directing silent films?

How did King Vidor contribute to the development of sound in films?

What themes were commonly explored in King Vidor's films?

What impact did King Vidor have on the Golden Age of Hollywood?