About
Maker of more than 70 silent films, most notably When Empty Hearts Are Filled and The Altar of Ambition.
Before Fame
He started as a story buyer for Essanay Studios: it was his job to put out notices for stories the studio was looking for and to collect submissions.
Trivia
He worked for the Works Progress Administration during the Depression, touring around the U.S. producing puppet shows.
Family Life
He was born in Lake City, Iowa, where the family fell on hard times after his father Dr. William McMackin's death in 1900.
Associated With
He never achieved the fame of fellow silent film director D.W. Griffith, but he still had a successful Hollywood career.
