Biography
Henry Alexander MacRae (August 29, 1876 – October 2, 1944) was a Canadian film director, producer, and screenwriter during the silent film era, known for his work on numerous serials for Universal Studios. As one of several Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood, MacRae contributed several innovations to film production, such as the use of artificial lighting for indoor scenes, the wind machine, double exposures, and night filming.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on August 29, 1876, MacRae passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA, on October 2, 1944, at the age of 68.
He directed more than 130 films between 1912 and 1933, mostly silent. Alongside many westerns and adventure films, he directed the first Thai-Hollywood co-production, Miss Suwanna of Siam, in 1923.
MacRae's first sound film was Tarzan the Tiger (1929), the first Tarzan movie with sound. He also directed several westerns featuring Hoot Gibson, a Tom Mix western, and films starring Rex the Wonder Horse.
In the 1940s, his producer credits included serial films such as The Green Hornet and Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe.
