D. W. Griffith — American Director born on January 22, 1875, died on July 23, 1948

David Llewelyn Wark "D. W." Griffith, the "Inventor of Hollywood", was an American film director who pioneered modern film-making techniques. He is mostly remembered for the groundbreaking 1915 film The Birth of a Nation, as well as its sequel Intolerance. He is closely associated with his frequent leading lady, Lillian Gish... (wikipedia)

Movies are written in sand: applauded today, forgotten tomorrow.
It takes two years on the stage for an actor or an actress to learn how to speak correctly and to manage his voice properly, and it takes about ten years to master the subtle art of being able to hold one's audience.
Actors should never be important. Only directors should have power and place.
There will never be talking pictures.
When I work for someone else, I always make money for them. When I back my own ideas, I am bound to lose.