Mauritz Stiller

Of Russian-Jewish parentage, Stiller moved from Finland to Sweden at the age of 20 (fleeing service in the Russian Army) and with mediocre talent and good looks became a leading stage actor and, later, director. Charles Magnusson hired both Stiller and Sjostrom in 1912 to work at Svensk Biograf (later Svensk Filmindustri) and together they produced some of the most exquisite and sophisticated works of the silent era, propelling the Swedish cinema into the European vanguard. Stiller possessed an exquisite visual sensibility, combining naturalism and lyricism to great effect. Though a versatile talent, he is best known for his astute social comedies, from "Love and Journalism" (1916) to the internationally successful "Erotikon" (1920), both starring Karin Molander. Stiller also made a number of fine literary adaptations, including three from the novels of Selma Lagerlof: "Sir Arne's Treasure" (1919), "Gunnar Hede's Saga" (1923) and "The Saga of Gosta Berling" (1924). The latter film introduced the world to Garbo and earned Stiller an invitation to Hollywood from Louis B. Mayer--which the director accepted on the condition that his protege accompany him. Garbo was immediately groomed for stardom while Stiller experienced constant conflicts with the constraints of the American studio system. The first Garbo vehicle he directed, "The Temptress" (1926), was taken out of his hands, and despite the relative success of "The Woman on Trial" and the superb "Hotel Imperial," two 1927 films starring Pola Negri, his Hollywood sojourn was an overall disappointment. He was credited as director for "The Street of Sin" (1928), but the film was actually completed by scenarist Josef von Sternberg. Suffering from acute rheumatism, Stiller returned to Sweden, where he died at age 45.