Sam Wood Biography

Fast Facts

• Started out as a real estate dealer and became interested in film after marrying an actress in 1908
• Began his career as an actor, appearing in "The Little American" and "Who Knows?" in 1917
• Worked as an assistant director to Cecil B․ DeMille before getting the chance to direct his first film, "Double Speed," in 1920
• Had his first big success with 1935's "A Night at the Opera," the Marx Brothers' first film for MGM
• Best known as the director of "A Night at the Opera," "Goodbye, Mr․ Chips," "The Pride of the Yankees," and "For Whom the Bell Tolls․"
• Frequently worked with stars like Gloria Swanson, Rudolph Valentino, Wallace Reid, and Jackie Coogan
• Often said that his favorite film that he directed was "Goodbye, Mr․ Chips," but that he did his best directing job on "Kings Row․"
• Was one of the founders of the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals in 1944
• Helped to direct "Gone with the Wind" when Ian Fleming fell ill, but it is thought that his not being credited for his work on the film caused him to leave MGM and go freelance