One of the more prolific American directors, Charles Lamont entered films as an actor in 1919 and became a director in 1922. He churned out numerous one- and two-reel comedies for various producers, including 'Mack Sennett' Technicolor adventure extravaganzas, and helmed many entries in the studio's successful "Ma and Pa Kettle" series.
Lamont is generally credited with starting Shirley Temple s career. He discovered her while visiting a dance studio in search of children for a one-reel comedy short he was directing. He was so impressed with her talent (she was about five years old) that instead of putting her in the background with the rest of the children, he featured her in her own dance number and gave her a few lines. Her career took off from there.
