In the early days of silent pictures, Marshall Neilan was a top director for Goldwyn Pictures. He had also directed a small number of 'Louis B. Mayer' . Mayer later viewed the picture and ordered the downbeat ending re-shot over Neilan's loud protests. Mayer, wanting to instill his absolute authority over all production matters, held firm. The prospect of working for Mayer in the new Metro-Goldwyn super-studio was unbearable and Neilan quit. His was the first outright desertion from the studio that others over the next three decades would aspire to be a part of.
His association with Mary Pickford is discussed in Scott Eyman s book "Mary Pickford: Americas Sweetheart", . Neilan was Pickfords favorite director and directed her in seven of her biggest hits.
Child with Bambrick: Marshall Ambrose (25 May 1915)
Father of screenwriter Marshall Neilan Jr.
In 1912 Neilan was working as a car salesman at a dealership in La Mesa, California, when he was instructed to deliver a car to a nearby film location, whose director had just purchased it. Neilan delivered the car to the director, Allan Dwan , and since Dwan didnt know how to drive, Neilan took him out and taught him. The two hit it off and Dwan asked Neilan if he wanted to be an actor in his film. When Neilan discovered that the job would pay twice as much as his car salesman job, he took it, beginning his long career as an actor, writer and director.
A major director during the silent era, his career in the sound era was very adversely affected due to a serious drinking problem.
Co-founder of Associated Producers, Inc., 1919.
Formed Marshall Neilan Productions, a film production company, in 1921.
Uncle of Rick Neilan.
