Biography

American director and erstwhile actor. Originally a performer on the stock and vaudeville circuits, especially the Mittenthal Bros. circuit, he appeared with his wife Josephine Foy in a vaudeville show entitled "The Inspector." Noticed in this show by producer Thomas H. Ince, Sidney entered films in approximately 1913 as a performer and quickly was promoted to directing pictures. He involved himself in production as a minority owner of the Christie Film Company. He attempted retirement, but was coaxed back into directing by Syd Chaplin, whom he directed in Charley's Aunt (1925). While visiting London in 1928, he died at 56 of a heart attack.