W. S. Van Dyke

Director

About

Also Known As

Woodbridge Strong Van Dyke Ii, William S Van Dyke Ii, Woody Van Dyke, Maj. W. S. Van Dyke Ii, W. S. Van Dyke Ii

Birth Place

San Diego, California, USA

Born

March 21, 1890

Died

February 05, 1943

Biography

Filmography

Cairo (1942)

Director

I Married an Angel (1942)

Director

Rage in Heaven (1941)

I Love You Again (1940)

Director

Photos & Videos

View All

Rage In Heaven (1941) -- (Movie Clip) Nobody Is Afraid Of Me

Rage In Heaven (1941) -- (Movie Clip) The Moon Made Me Sentimental

Family & Companions

Zina Ashford

Wife

Actor. Married c. 1907; divorced in 1920.

Ruth Mannix

Wife

Married in 1935; niece of MGM vice president Eddie Mannix.

Bibliography

"W.S. Van Dyke's Journal: White Shadows in the South Seas (1927-28)"

Rudy Behlmer, editor and annotator, Scarecrow Press (1996)

Biography

Van Dyke began his career as an assistant director, notably under D.W. Griffith on "Intolerance" (1916). He took over the direction of "White Shadows of the South Seas" from Robert Flaherty in 1928 and, by the 1930s, had developed into one of MGM's most reliable directors. Van Dyke was a capable craftsman whose nonchalant approach to filming earned him the nickname 'One-Shot Woody'; it also brought him success at the box-office, particularly with the "Thin Man" series, starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. His deft touch is evident in films such as "Trader Horn" (1930), "Manhattan Melodrama" (1934), "Sweethearts" and "Marie Antoinette" (both 1938).

Filmography

Life Events

1902

Made stage debut in "Damon and Pythias" at age three

1907

Joined mother's company, Laura Winston Players

1915

With wife, toured with various theater companies until a Pantages tour took them to Los Angeles; became involved with film

1915

First film job, as assistant director to Charles Brabin on "The Raven"

1915

Wrote numerous screenplays for directors Lawrence Windom and Arthur Berthelet

1916

Employed by D.W. Griffith as actor and assistant director on "Intolerance"

1917

First film as director, "Her Good Name"

1926

Signed by Thalberg for MGM

1934

Helmed the classic detective comedy-drama "The Thin Man"

1943

Last film, "Dragon Seed" (completed by Jack Conway and Harold S Bucquet)

Photo Collections

Tarzan, the Ape Man (1932) - Movie Posters

Here are a variety of original-release American movie posters for MGM's Tarzan, the Ape Man (1932), starring Johnny Weissmuller.

San Francisco - Behind-the-Scenes Photos

Here are a few photos taken behind-the-scenes during production of MGM's San Francisco (1936), starring Clark gable and Spencer Tracy, and directed by W.S. Van Dyke.

Hide-Out - Movie Poster

Here is the American one-sheet movie poster for Hide-Out (1934), starring Robert Montgomery and Maureen O'Sullivan. One-sheets measured 27x41 inches, and were the poster style most commonly used in theaters.

It's a Wonderful World - Movie Poster

Here is the American one-sheet movie poster for It's a Wonderful World (1939). One-sheets measured 27x41 inches, and were the poster style most commonly used in theaters.

The Thin Man - Behind-the-Scenes Photos

Here are few behind-the-scenes photos taken during the shooting of The Thin Man (1934), starring William Powell and Myrna Loy.

The Thin Man - Movie Posters

Here are a variety of American Movie Posters produced for The Thin Man (1934).

The Devil Is a Sissy - Behind-the-Scenes Photo

Here is a photo taken behind-the-scenes during production of MGM's The Devil Is a Sissy (1936), starring Mickey Rooney and directed by W. S. Van Dyke.

Eskimo - Scene Still

Here is a scene still from MGM's Eskimo (1933), starring Mala and W. S. Van Dyke.