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Stuart Armstrong Walker (March 4, 1888 – March 13, 1941) was an American director and producer in theatre and motion pictures.
Stuart Walker was born March 4, 1888, in
Biography
Stuart Walker was born March 4, 1888, in Augusta, Kentucky
Augusta is a list of Kentucky cities, home rule-class city in Bracken County, Kentucky, Bracken County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is located upon the southern bank of the Ohio River. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the ...
, the son of Cliff Stuart Walker and Matilda Taliaferro Armstrong Walker. After attending public school in Cincinnati and graduating from the University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati (UC or Cincinnati, informally Cincy) is a public university, public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. It was founded in 1819 and had an enrollment of over 53,000 students in 2024, making it the ...
, he went to work for David Belasco
David Belasco (July 25, 1853 – May 14, 1931) was an American theatrical producer, impresario, director, and playwright. He was the first writer to adapt the short story ''Madame Butterfly'' for the stage. He launched the theatrical career of ...
and made his debut as an actor in 1909. He became a play reader for Belasco, and directed plays including ''The Governor's Lady
''The Governor's Lady'' is a 1912 play written by Alice Bradley, directed by David Belasco and produced by Belasco and his son-in-law David Elliott. It is known for its unconventional set.
Production
After previews in Philadelphia and Washingto ...
'' (1912). In 1914 Walker joined Jessie Bonstelle
Jessie Bonstelle (born Laura Justine Bonesteel; November 18, 1871 – October 14, 1932) was an American theater director, actress, and drama company manager. Encouraged by her mother, she sang and performed in the theater from a young age; she w ...
as a director in Detroit and Buffalo.
In 1915, Walker organized the Portmanteau Theatre, an independent repertory theatre
A repertory theatre, also called repertory, rep, true rep or stock, which are also called producing theatres, is a theatre in which a resident company presents works from a specified repertoire, usually in alternation or rotation.
United Kingdom ...
company. He produced seasons in Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dayton, Indianapolis, Louisville and New York City. He staged the first dramatization of Booth Tarkington
Newton Booth Tarkington (July 29, 1869 – May 19, 1946) was an American novelist and dramatist best known for his novels ''The Magnificent Ambersons'' (1918) and ''Alice Adams (novel), Alice Adams'' (1921). He is one of only four novelists to w ...
's bestselling novel '' Seventeen'', presented on Broadway in 1918 starring Gregory Kelly and his future wife, newcomer Ruth Gordon
Ruth Gordon Jones (October 30, 1896 – August 28, 1985) was an American actress, playwright and screenwriter. She began her career performing on Broadway at age 19. Known for her nasal voice and distinctive personality, Gordon gained internati ...
.
Walker's repertory company was active throughout the 1920s. Its credits include the first American performance of Alberto Casella's supernatural drama ''Death Takes a Holiday'', adapted by Walter Ferris, in 1929.
In 1930, Walker became a screenwriter in Hollywood, and served as dialogue director on films including ''Brothers
A brother (: brothers or brethren) is a man or boy who shares one or more parents with another; a male sibling. The female counterpart is a sister. Although the term typically refers to a familial relationship, it is sometimes used endearingl ...
'' and ''The Last of the Lone Wolf''. He directed his first feature film the following year, and in 1936 he became a producer for Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation, commonly known as Paramount Pictures or simply Paramount, is an American film production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the flagship namesake subsidiary of Paramount ...
.
Walker died March 13, 1941, at his home in Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills is a city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. A notable and historic suburb of Los Angeles, it is located just southwest of the Hollywood Hills, approximately northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Beverly Hil ...
, California, following a heart attack.
Filmography
Director
Producer
References
External links
* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Walker, Stuart 1888 births 1941 deaths American male actors American theatre directors American dramatists and playwrights Filmmakers from California People from Augusta, Kentucky American theatre managers and producers Film directors from Kentucky Film producers from Kentucky