Frank Borzage

Frank Borzage

Born: April 23, 1894
Died: June 19, 1962
in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Frank Borzage (April 23, 1894 – June 19, 1962) was an Academy Award-winning American film director and actor, known for directing 7th Heaven (1927), Street Angel (1928), Bad Girl (1931), A Farewell to Arms (1932), Man's Castle (1933), History Is Made at Night (1937), The Mortal Storm (1940) and Moonrise (1948).

In 1912 Borzage found employment as an actor in Hollywood; he continued to work as an actor until 1917. His directorial debut came in 1915 with the film The Pitch o' Chance.

He was a successful director throughout the 1920s, but reached his peak in the late silent and early sound era. Absorbing visual influences from the German director F.W. Murnau, who was also resident at Fox at this time, Borzage developed his own style of lushly visual romanticism in a hugely successful series of films starring Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, including 7th Heaven (1927), for which he won the first Academy Award for Best Director, Street Angel (1928) and Lucky Star (1929). He won a second Oscar for 1931's Bad Girl.

He directed 14 films between 1917 and 1919 alone. His greatest success in the silent era was with Humoresque, a box office winner starring Vera Gordon.

Borzage's trademark was intense identification with the feelings of young lovers in the face of adversity, with love in his films triumphing over such trials as World War I (7th Heaven and A Farewell to Arms), disability (Lucky Star), the Depression (Man's Castle), a thinly disguised version of the Titanic disaster in History Is Made at Night, and the rise of Nazism, a theme which Borzage had virtually to himself among Hollywood filmmakers from Little Man, What Now? (1933) to Three Comrades (1938) and The Mortal Storm (1940).

His work took a spiritual turn in such films as Green Light (1937), Strange Cargo (1940) and The Big Fisherman (1959). Of his later work only the film noir Moonrise (1948) has enjoyed much critical acclaim. After 1948, Borzage's output was sporadic.

In 1955 and 1957, he was awarded The George Eastman Award, given by George Eastman House for distinguished contribution to the art of film.

Frank Borzage died of cancer in 1962, aged 68.

Movies for Frank Borzage...

Murnau, Borzage and Fox
Title: Murnau, Borzage and Fox
Character: Himself (archival footage) (uncredited)
Released: December 9, 2008
Type: Movie
Documentary focusing on the film careers F.W. Murnau, Frank Borzage and William Fox and their impact on the history of cinema.
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Jeanne Eagels
Title: Jeanne Eagels
Character: Self (uncredited)
Released: August 2, 1957
Type: Movie
Biographical film based loosely on the life of 1920s stage star Jeanne Eagels.
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Title: Hollywood Preview
Character: Self
Released: September 14, 1955
Type: TV
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Title: The Oscars
Released: March 19, 1953
Type: TV
An annual American awards ceremony honoring cinematic achievements in the film industry. The various category winners are awarded a copy of a statuette, officially the Academy Award of Merit, that is better known by its nickname Oscar.
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Title: This Is Your Life
Character: Self
Released: October 1, 1952
Type: TV
This Is Your Life is an American television documentary series broadcast on NBC, originally hosted by its producer, Ralph Edwards from 1952 to 1961. In the show, the host surprises a guest, and proceeds to take them through their life in front of an audience, including special guest appearances by colleagues, friends and family. Edwards revived the show in 1971-72, while Joseph Campanella hosted a version in 1983. Edwards returned for some specials in the late 1980s, before his death in 2005. The show originated as a radio show on NBC Radio airing from 1948 to 1952.
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Fear Not
Title: Fear Not
Character: Franklin Shirley
Released: November 26, 1917
Type: Movie
Brothers James and Allen Mornington are both addicted to cocaine and both believe that their addiction is caused by a hereditary failing. James rises to the position of judge, but when Allen is brought into his court on drug charges, James resigns. The two brothers, along with James's daughter, Hilda, then retire to the country to fight their desire for drugs.
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Wee Lady Betty
Title: Wee Lady Betty
Character: Roger O'Reilly
Released: August 17, 1917
Type: Movie
Wee Lady Betty rules the O'Reilly castle with a stern hand and a big heart until she learns that Roger, the O'Reilly heir, is coming to take possession of his estate. Unable to provide for her aged father, Betty conceives of a scheme. Feigning to leave the castle, she returns after dark with her father and installs him in the haunted chamber.
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A Mormon Maid
Title: A Mormon Maid
Character: Tom Rigdon
Released: April 21, 1917
Type: Movie
This silent melodrama is set against the 1840s westward migration of the Mormons. Dora, a young woman, and her family are saved from an Indian attack by a Mormon community traveling to Utah. They join the wagon train. Dora is pursued by two men, one a recent convert, the other a scheming elder with a stable of wives. The Mormon elder wants her in his harem. When the mother kills herself from revulsion toward polygamy, the daughter must consider her own future and the man she loves. One of Mae Murray's few surviving films, this was intended by Robert Leonard to be a thoughtful drama about the goods and evils of Mormonism, but today it is generally considered pure anti-Mormon propaganda.
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Land O' Lizards
Title: Land O' Lizards
Character: The Stranger
Released: September 18, 1916
Type: Movie
Eastern capitalists hire a stranger to head out to Arizona to investigate property near the Bar C Ranch, which contains gold. The Bar C is run by Buck Moran, and he and his cowboys are a lawless bunch. They don't know about the gold, but Dave Moore does, and so does his daughter Bobbie, whom he dresses up like a boy. Her true gender is eventually sussed out by the stranger.
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Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
Title: Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
Character: Extra (uncredited)
Released: September 4, 1916
Type: Movie
The story of a poor young woman, separated by prejudice from her husband and baby, is interwoven with tales of intolerance from throughout history.
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Nugget Jim's Pardner
Title: Nugget Jim's Pardner
Character: Hal
Released: July 14, 1916
Type: Movie
Nugget Jim's pardner (Borzage), is an easy-come-easy-go character, an heirling who has worn through the last of pater's patience, eaten through his allowance of allowances. Off he pops, after one last drunken hurrah, to makes his living way out west. He teams up with a prospector and his daughter and they develop a happy family situation.
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The Pilgrim
Title: The Pilgrim
Character: The Pilgrim
Released: June 9, 1916
Type: Movie
Short western by Frank Borzage about a man called The Pilgrim who comes into a new town, establishes himself and falls in love with a woman.
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The Pitch o' Chance
Title: The Pitch o' Chance
Character: Rocky Scott
Released: December 24, 1915
Type: Movie
One of the earliest surviving short films by Franke Borzage. A simple western about a man who enjoys boozing, gambling and women.
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Knight of the Trail
Title: Knight of the Trail
Character: Bill Carey
Released: August 19, 1915
Type: Movie
Jim and Molly are set to get married when Molly finds out about her fiancé's criminal past. Bill Carey weasels his way into Molly's heart in the interim, eager to relieve her of her savings.
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The Secret of Lost River
Title: The Secret of Lost River
Character: Tom Hornby - Prospector
Released: June 18, 1915
Type: Movie
Pierre Vignol, an artist wintering in Arizona, is bitten by a snake. He is taken by his friend, Tom Hornby, to Padre Francisco, who prescribes for the bite. Pierre, at the request of Tom, returns to his cabin and Tom takes care of him. Later Tom discovers a tube in Lost River. This proves to be a painting and Pierre takes it to Padre Francisco. The Padre reads him an interesting history of Fr. Bartolomeo. founder of the Mission, and of how the painting came to be discovered in Lost River, for it had been thrown there by a monk when the Mission was attacked by the Indians, owing to the abduction of the Chief's daughter by a villainous Spaniard. Tom takes the painting to New York where he sells it and gives the money to the wife of Tom, who has been too poor to bring her and the baby to Arizona.
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The Tavern Keeper's Son
Title: The Tavern Keeper's Son
Character: Juan Capella
Released: June 9, 1915
Type: Movie
Juan Capella, the son of a poor Spanish tavern keeper, and his wife, learning of the discovery of gold on the American River near Sacramento, runs away from his parents and sweetheart to make his fortune. The tavern keeper is in debt and places a mortgage on the tavern in order to prevent it being seized to pay another debt.
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The Cup of Life
Title: The Cup of Life
Character: Dick Ralston
Released: April 26, 1915
Type: Movie
Sisters Helen and Ruth Fiske work in a department store and live in an East Side tenement. While Ruth is satisfied with her "regular fellow," a mechanic, Helen yearns for fine clothes, wealth, and attention. Ruth marries the mechanic and they struggle for a modest existence. Helen leaves her squalor to be the mistress of wealthy John Ward, despite Ruth's pleas. As the years pass, Helen goes from one man to the next, looking for more luxuries. When James Kellerman, who really loves her, proposes, she laughs at him.
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In the Switch Tower
Title: In the Switch Tower
Character: Joel Wharton
Released: March 24, 1915
Type: Movie
IN THE SWITCH TOWER stars Walter Edwards (who also directed) as Bill Wharton, a middle-aged alcoholic who was once a leading engineer with a railroad. Wharton is estranged from his son Joel (Frank Borzage), who now works as an executive with the railroad, but Frank does send him money through Bill's longtime friend, Louis Hall (Robert Hall).
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In the Land of the Otter
Title: In the Land of the Otter
Character: Joe Eagle
Released: January 14, 1915
Type: Movie
Ben Anderson, factor of the trading station, impatient with his daughter Anne's coquetries, calls all the trappers to him and promises to wed her to the one who brings back the most valuable catch of furs in the spring. Anne fancies herself in love with Henri Levesnue, a Frenchman. So when he is reported to have brought in the biggest prize she is delighted. But the following day, Joe Eagle, a quarter-breed, reaches the station with twice Henri's catch, Ben insists that Anne marry Joe, but she swears she never could become the wife of the French Indian, and because he really loves her, Joe, who has overheard her protestations, hides half his furs under his cabin floor. Anne is married to Henri, but in a few months is very unhappy. He is a heavy drinker; he neglects her, and at last, being penniless, he steals a bale of furs from the station. The factor sets Joe to catch the thief.
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The Panther
Title: The Panther
Character: David Brandt
Released: December 10, 1914
Type: Movie
Andrew McLeod, the Factor, is called "The Panther" by the Indians, owing to his cruelty. He wishes to marry Julie, the daughter of Francois Ledru, a French trapper. Julie is afraid of McLeod and rather than become his wife she runs away. Ledru is terrified when he discovers her absence as he knows McLeod will make him suffer for it, in which fear he is fully justified, as he is beaten and then shot by McLeod. Meantime, Julie, in her wanderings, runs into Father Lezare, who is journeying toward the trading station, and also David Brandt, a hunter. She appeals to them for help and upon David's assertion that he will do anything to help her, she begs him to marry her. After some hesitation on the part of both David and the priest, this is done.
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The Typhoon
Title: The Typhoon
Character: Renard Bernisky
Released: October 10, 1914
Type: Movie
Tokoramo, a Japanese diplomat on a mission to Paris, begins a love affair with Helene, a chorus girl, who subsequently rejects her American fiancé, Richard Bernisky. When the Japanese discover the affair, they try to force Tokoramo to end it, but Helene refuses to stop visiting him. One night, during one of her visits, Bernisky comes to Tokoramo's apartment and, while Helene hides, rebukes her to her lover. After Bernisky leaves, Tokoramo orders Helene out, but when he realizes his love for her, he calls her back. Suddenly, she rejects and insults him to the point that he strangles her. Tokoramo wants to confess his crime, but he must complete his work, and so his countrymen sacrifice a boy, Hironari, who pleads guilty to the murder and eventually is guillotined. In the end, Tokoramo also dies and his colleagues burn his valuable papers in order to protect Japan. -From the TCM.com Database, powered by the AFI.
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The Wrath of the Gods
Title: The Wrath of the Gods
Character: Tom Wilson
Released: June 8, 1914
Type: Movie
An American sailor falls in love with a fisherman's daughter and convinces her that Jesus is more powerful than the gods who have cursed her.
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Love's Western Flight
Title: Love's Western Flight
Released: June 3, 1914
Type: Movie
For five years Dorothy had put up with her husband although all his refinement, delicacy and love had long since been drowned in drink. Dorothy had reached the turning point. She answered an advertisement calling for a leading woman to accompany a repertoire show west. She was given the position and that night left.
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Samson
Title: Samson
Character: Bearded Philistine Extra (uncredited)
Released: April 30, 1914
Type: Movie
Samson, an Israelite whose enormous strength is legendary, falls in love with Zorah, a Philistine, and marries her, overcoming his father Manoah's objections.
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A Flash in the Dark
Title: A Flash in the Dark
Released: February 18, 1914
Type: Movie
Randall is a rich mine owner whose business affairs cause him to neglect his somewhat frivolous wife. There is a mutual friend whom Randall carelessly allows to entertain his wife. As a result, the friend pays more than natural attentions to the woman. The three visit one of Randall's mines. The wife and friend go down the mining shaft in a bucket. While they are yet underground, a quantity of dynamite explodes. The mine is filled with poisonous fumes.
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The Wheel of Life
Title: The Wheel of Life
Released: January 28, 1914
Type: Movie
The husband and his wife live alone in the mountains, where he is working out a claim. A stranger from a distant mine is injured in the vicinity. The husband nurses him back to health. During his convalescence the stranger persuades the wife to elope with him.
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In the Sage Brush Country
Title: In the Sage Brush Country
Released: January 1, 1914
Type: Movie
In what scenarist C. Gardner Sullivan misleadingly called “The Romantic Adventures of a Woman of the ’50s,” this story has Hart play Jim Brandon, who has just robbed the Wolf Creek stage of a payroll meant for Frank Wilding’s Lost Hope Mine. Fearing another holdup, Wilding reluctantly entrusts his daughter Edith with the next payroll. Confident of his concealed identity, Brandon comes to town, orders drinks at the local saloon, and hears that this is “payday” for the mine. Outside, he realizes Edith will be carrying the payroll and follows her onto the stage. When it stops at the Mountain House Restaurant, Brandon protects Edith from a man forcing his attention on her, which forges an unacknowledged bond between them. strangely leaves her to barricade the door.
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A Hopi Legend
Title: A Hopi Legend
Released: December 31, 1913
Type: Movie
An old arrowmaker's daughter, while at the stream, meets a brave from another tribe. They become enamored of each other in the sudden positive way of the savage, and agree to meet at sunset. The chief of the tribe to which the girl belongs, covets and demands her of her father. The father consents, but the girl rebels. At sunset, she meets her lover and tells him what her fate is to be. He tells her that when the moon shines, he will come for her and take her away.
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A Cracksman Santa Claus
Title: A Cracksman Santa Claus
Released: December 19, 1913
Type: Movie
The cracksman is discouraged and cynical. It is Christmas Eve. He takes his revolver and starts out in quest of gain. Dot gets home, tired out and distressed because she has been discharged from the store. Her crippled sister hangs up her stocking and prays for the morrow. It is too much for Dot. She goes out to secure money for a present at any cost. Passing the window of a mansion, she observes a man give a woman a necklace. In the hurried departure, it is left behind. The temptation is too strong: she gets through the window and secures the necklace, only to be confronted by the cracksman, who has entered another way and pretends to be the owner. She tells her sad tale.
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Retribution
Title: Retribution
Released: December 10, 1913
Type: Movie
Dorothy and her father have staked all their hopes on their mine. While they are awaiting the arrival of Mr. Reid, who is to report on the value of the mine, Pedro, a Mexican, makes familiar advances to Dorothy and is sternly repulsed. Reid arrives and a mutual attraction springs up between himself and Dorothy, to the chagrin of Pedro.
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Loaded Dice
Title: Loaded Dice
Released: October 3, 1913
Type: Movie
Loaded Dice is a 1913 short film.
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Silent Heroes
Title: Silent Heroes
Released: September 23, 1913
Type: Movie
Tom Chatterton is called a coward because he will not enlist in the Home Guard during the Civil War -- his mother is dying and he does not wish to leave while she is still alive. When she dies and the Yankees attack, he seizes command of the Home Guard and leads them to victory, proving himself a hero and dying in the process.
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The Gratitude of Wanda
Title: The Gratitude of Wanda
Released: August 30, 1913
Type: Movie
An indian girl brings military relief to the besieged cabin because of her gratitude to the white man who befriended her.
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The Mystery of Yellow Aster Mine
Title: The Mystery of Yellow Aster Mine
Released: August 24, 1913
Type: Movie
Reed and Rosson are owners of the Yellow Aster mine. They have taken out enough gold to make the final payment, which is due. Both brothers love the same girl, Pauline, but she prefers Reed. Reed saves an Indian, Eagle Eye, from the drunken taunts of a half-breed, and the latter swears vengeance.
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Granddad
Title: Granddad
Character: Mildred's Father
Released: July 23, 1913
Type: Movie
Mildred is staying with her grandfather, Civil War veteran Jabez Burr, when she receives a letter from her father. Her father has re-married, and will be bringing his new wife home soon. But when Mildred's stepmother finds out that Jabez drinks, she takes a dislike to him, and begins to resent his closeness with Mildred...
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The Drummer of the 8th
Title: The Drummer of the 8th
Character: Jack Durand
Released: May 28, 1913
Type: Movie
When the Civil War begins, young Billy runs away from home to enlist in the Northern Army as a drummer; he's wounded in battle and taken prisoner. He manages to escape and deliver an important message to his commanding officer, but loses his life in the process. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2007.
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On Secret Service
Title: On Secret Service
Released: November 1, 1912
Type: Movie
Fred Martin is a Southern spy. A northern dispatch bearer is captured, the signature to his messages is forged, and Martin is sent on the dangerous mission of luring the Northern troops into an ambush. He accomplishes this and a terrible battle results, in which the Federals are driven back. The work of Martin is so damaging to the North that plans are laid for his capture, and John Bruce, a secret service man, is assigned to the task.