Frank Urson(1887-1928)
- Director
- Cinematographer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
American director, cinematographer, and assistant director of silent
films. A native of Chicago, Urson was the nephew of E.J. Hite of the
Thanhauser Film Co. With his uncle's help, Urson was trained as a
cameraman and eventually relocated to California as a camera operator
for Fine Arts Productions. Director Marshall Neilan hired him as an assistant
director, which led to work as cinematographer for James Cruze on several
films. From 1920 on, Urson worked closely as an assistant director
with Cecil B. DeMille on most of the latter's films, simultaneously directing
his own for DeMille and others. Urson drowned while on a visit to
Michigan, at 41.
