W. H. Clune
American film producer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William H. Clune (August 18, 1862 – October 18, 1927)[1] was an American railroad property developer, film exchange and then theater chain owner, film studio owner, and film producer.
August 18, 1862
W. H. Clune | |
|---|---|
| Born | William H. Clune August 18, 1862 |
| Died | October 18, 1927 (aged 65) |
| Occupations | Property developer, theatre and studio owner, and film producer |
Career
Born in Hannibal, Missouri,[1] Clune owned a chain of theaters in Southern California.[2] He launched his studio in 1915.[3] His film productions were based on novels.[4] His first production was 1916's Ramona.[5]
He played hardball with competitors.[6] He came into dispute with Nell Shipman over their film projects together.[7]
He died in Los Angeles, two months past his 65th birthday.[1] He is buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in a crypt.
Clune was an investor in Epoch Film Producing Corp.[8] The Birth of a Nation, originally released as The Clansman in February 1915, had its world premiere at Clune's Auditorium on Pershing Square in the Core of Los Angeles.[9]
Filmography
- Ramona (1916), based the book Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson about life in California's early days[10]
- The Eyes of the World (1917), filmed in Redlands, California, adapted from the Harold Bell Wright's novel The Eyes of the World
- From Manger to Cross
- A Bear, a Boy and a Dog by Nell Shipman[11]
- The Girl From God's Country (1920)[12]
Theaters
The following theaters (in Los Angeles unless otherwise noted) were part of Clune's movie theater chain:
- Clune's Downtown (1909–1914), 453 South Main Street[13]
- Clune's Exclusive (1909), 547 S. Broadway[14]
- Clune's Broadway (1910), 528 S. Broadway[15]
- Clune's Pasadena (1911), 61 W. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena[16]
- Clune's Auditorium (1910s), 5th and Olive[17]