I pick out young people and teach them in less time than it would take me to alter the methods of people from the boards, and I get actors who look the parts they have to fill.

Griffith left high school to help support the family.  W. But cast members' accounts recall Griffith directing only the screen tests and costume tests.

" Griffith (January 22 1875 – July 23 1948) was a premier pioneering American film director. W. The film was widely criticized and subject to boycotts by anti-racist organizations such as the NAACP.