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William P.S. Earle

William Pitt Striker Earle (December 28, 1882 – November 30, 1972) was an American director of the silent film era. He attended Columbia University and worked for a time as a photographer before breaking into the movie business by sneaking onto the lot of Vitagraph Company of America to observe how directors worked. After a few days of this, Earle approached the studio president and was given his first movie to direct, For the Honor of the Crew, a short about a crew race at Columbia University.

Also recorded as William Earle · William Pitt Striker Earle · William S. Earle · William P. S. Earle

William P.S. Earle

Princess Pat (played by Gladys Leslie) sits by the fireplace and examines her face in a hand mirror in a scene still for the 1918 Vitagraph production The Wooing of Princess Pat.

Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research · Public domain

Name
William Pitt Striker Earle
Born
28 December 1882
Birthplace
New York City, U.S.
Died
30 November 1972
Place of death
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation
Film director
Spouse
Valerie Damon De Blois (m. 1905;div. 1915) Blanche Earle (m. 1952; her death) Evangeline Russell (m. 1966; her death)
Nationality
United States.
Education
Columbia University.

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William Pitt Striker Earle (December 28, 1882 – November 30, 1972) was an American director of the silent film era. He attended Columbia University and worked for a time as a photographer before breaking into the movie business by sneaking onto the lot of Vitagraph Company of America to observe how directors worked. After a few days of this, Earle approached the studio president and was given his first movie to direct, For the Honor of the Crew, a short about a crew race at Columbia University.

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Note VALÉORINE

William P.S. Earle (1882–1972) was a film director and screenwriter, of American nationality. The film director was born in New York City and died in Los Angeles. William P.S. Earle was educated at Columbia University.

Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 28 September 2026

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wikidata · Q4020116 · wikipedia · William P. S. Earle

In this article

  1. 01Biography
  2. 02Archives and collections
  3. 03Notes, references and evidence

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