Monta Bell

“Completely forgotten today, Monta Bell was once seen as a major stylist working in the Lubitsch tradition, although the sly misanthropy of his best work, like Man, Woman and Sin (1927) or Downstairs (1932), is far more suggestive of Charles Chaplin’s darker moments— Film historian Richard Koszarski in Hollywood on the Hudson (2008).[1] Monta Bell first appeared in theatrical venues with Washington D.C. stock companies and then took up journalism and publishing in New York.Bell, along a number of other apprentices including Harry d'Abbadie d'Arrast and Mal St. Clair, became film editors and assistant directors.Here Bell was “exposed to Chaplin’s meticulous style of comedy construction and a complete immersion in all aspects of filmmaking.”[3][4] In 1924, Paramount manager Walter Wanger engaged a number of “promising young men without significant directing experience”, among them Bell, to direct pictures at their Astoria Studios, Queens, New York.[6] In 1928, with the advent of sound films, Bell was transferred Paramount Pictures’ east coast operations, serving as head of production at the Astoria Studios.
Washington D.C.Motion Picture Country House and HospitalBetty Lawford LubitschMan, Woman and Sin DownstairsCharles Chaplinstock companiesCharlie ChaplinHarry d'Abbadie d'ArrastMal St. ClairWalter WangerAstoria StudiosThe King on Main StreetTorrentGreta GarboParamount PicturesPeter LawfordTheatre Arts MonthlyBroadway After DarkThe SnobLady of the NightPretty LadiesLights of Old BroadwayThe Boy FriendUpstageAfter MidnightThe LetterGentlemen of the PressApplauseThe Bellamy TrialThe Battle of ParisBehind the Make-UpYoung Man of ManhattanThe Big PondLaughterEast Is WestDownstairsThe Worst Woman in Paris?Men in WhiteStudent TourWest Point of the AirAloma of the South SeasBirth of the BluesChina's Little DevilsThe AdventurerThe Pilgrim John Gilbert AlibiMadame XNew York TimesWikisourceHow to Educate a WifeUp for MurderPersonal Maid