Lloyd Bacon Biography

Fast Facts

• Enlisted in the Navy during World War I and was assigned to the Photo Department
• Directed "The Singing Fool" in 1929, which was the first major film with dialogue
• Studied law at Santa Clara College before settling on an acting career
• He started his career on stage in Oscar Wilde's "Salome․"
• Early Hollywood director, actor, and writer best known for directing "The Singing Fool," "42nd Street," and "Footlight Parade․"
• While under contract at Warner Bros․, he directed more than 100 films in 17 years, many of which featured James Cagney
• His films often concerned people with secret lives, the relations between intellectuals and the working class, Irish-American working class families, and/or preparations for a big event
• Enjoyed playing and watching baseball, and was a star player for a Santa Clara baseball team from 1906 to 1908 and later joined the semi-professional Alameda Alerts
• Often showed up on set in fancy attire and expensive hats, which he would throw around to express his dissatisfaction at a performance