Henry MacRae

Birth : 1876-08-29, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Death : 1944-10-02

History

From Wikipedia Henry Alexander MacRae (August 29, 1876 – October 2, 1944) was a Canadian film director, producer and screenwriter during the silent era, working on many film serials for Universal Studios. One of a number of Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood, MacRae was credited with many innovations in film production, including artificial light for interiors, the wind machine, double exposures and shooting at night. Henry MacRae was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on August 29, 1876 and died in Beverly Hills, California, USA on October 2, 1944, aged 68. He was active as a director from 1912 to 1933, making more than 130 films, most of them silent. In addition to the many westerns and adventure films to his credit, he directed the first Thai-Hollywood co-production, Miss Suwanna of Siam, in 1923. His first "talkie" was the first Tarzan movie with sound, Tarzan the Tiger in 1929. He also directed several westerns starring Hoot Gibson, a Tom Mix western and movies featuring Rex the Wonder Horse. His producer credits in the 1940s include such serial films as The Green Hornet and Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe.

Movies

Rocket Ship
Producer
Condensed feature version of the 1936 serial Flash Gordon, with altered musical score. The film, which was shown outside the US as simply "Flash Gordon", was re-named Rocket Ship for its 1950 stateside re-release.
The Phantom Creeps
Associate Producer
Not a feature, but an edited version of the 1939 serial "The Phantom Creeps" which was released to TV in 1949.
The Great Alaskan Mystery
Producer
The obsessive scientist Dr. Miller is working on a matter-transmitter invention called the Paratron; a conspiratorial team of spies and no-goods pursue him to Alaska, trying to steal the device.
Adventures of the Flying Cadets
Producer
Four youthful cadets are implicated in a series of murders, and must attempt to clear themselves of suspicion.
Dead End Kids Go To War
Associate Producer
The Dead End Kids join the war effort in this feature-length version of the Universal serial Junior G-Men of the Air. The fiendish Black Dragon Society, led by the sinister Baron (perennial B-movie villain Lionel Atwill) plots to pave the way for an Axis invasion of the U.S.A. by destroying America's defenses. When their plans are discovered by the Dead End Kids, the gang is too suspicious of "the coppers" to ask for help. The FBI send in their Junior G-Men to stop the spies, but when one of the Dead Enders is kidnapped, the two groups must work together to smash the Black Dragons once and for all!
Drums of the Congo
Associate Producer
A safari sets out to find a meteorite that fell in the African jungle.
Sea Raiders
Producer
A bunch of waterfront youths pursue the Sea Raiders, a gang of saboteurs.
Riders of Death Valley
Associate Producer
The Saturday matinee crowd got two cowboy stars for the price of one in this lavishly budgeted western serial starring former singing cowboy Dick Foran and Buck Jones. The latter contributed deadpan humor to the proceedings, making Jones perhaps the highest paid B-western comedy relief in history. The two heroes defend the Death Valley borax miners from an outlaw gang headed by Wolf Reade. An extraordinarily strong cast -- for a serial, at least -- supported the stars, headed by Charles Bickford as Reade, Leo Carillo, Lon Chaney, Jr., and silent screen star Monte Blue. Leading lady Jeanne Kelly later changed her name to Jean Brooks and starred in the atmospheric RKO thriller The Seventh Victim (1943). Universal claimed to have spent $1 million on this serial and made sure to get their money's worth by endlessly recycling the action footage in serials and B-westerns for years to come.
Sky Raiders
Producer
Captain Bob Dayton and Lieutenant Ed Carey are partners in a company called "Sky Raiders" which seeks US government contracts for its inventions. Enemy spies attempt to steal, sabotage and discredit the inventions and founders of the company.
Dead End Kids vs. Spies, Inc.
Associate Producer
The Dead End Kids smash a spy ring in this feature-length version of the Universal serial Junior G-Men. Billy, the leader of the Dead End Kids, learns that his scientist father has been captured by the "Order of the Flaming Torch." This group of fifth columnists plans to use America's biggest brains to destroy the country from within. When the saboteurs outwit the gang's street smarts, the kids have no choice but to ask the FBI for help. The feds send in their own teenage contingent -- The Junior G-Men! Now the two groups must form an uneasy alliance, before the Order of the Flaming Torch can turn the U.S.A. into Amerika, the Evil Empire!
Winners of the West
Producer
Beyond Hell's Gate Pass is territory controlled by a man who calls himself King Carter; he uses a variety of schemes to prevent the railroad from being built, for fear it will finish his control of (what he considers) his land.
Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe
Associate Producer
A mysterious plague, the Purple Death, ravages the earth. Dr. Zarkov, investigating in his spaceship, finds a ship from planet Mongo seeding the atmosphere with dust. Sure enough, Ming the Merciless is up to his old tricks. So it's back to Mongo for Flash, Dale, and Zarkov, this time with ready-made allies waiting: Prince Barin of Arboria and Queen Fria of the frozen northern land of Frigia; where, it so happens, is found polarite, antidote to the plague. But Ming will use all his forces to keep our heroes from thwarting his plans of conquest.
The Green Hornet
Associate Producer
A newspaper publisher and his Korean servant fight crime as vigilantes who pose as a notorious masked gangster and his aide.
Flaming Frontiers
Associate Producer
Tom Grant has found a rich gold vein and Bart Eaton is after it. Tom's sister Mary heads for the gold fields and Eaton and his men follow. Eaton teams up with Ace Daggett who plans to doublecross him and get the gold for himself. They frame Tom for murder and then try to get him to sign over his claim. The famous scout Tex Houston is on hand, escaping the attempts on his life, saving Mary from various perils, and trying to bring in the real killer and clear Tom.
Flash Gordon
Producer
Three earthlings visit the planet Mongo to thwart the evil schemes of Emperor Ming the Merciless.
The Phantom Rider
Producer
The Phantom Rider helps Mary Grayson thwart a plot to steal her land.
The Phantom Rider
Screenplay
The Phantom Rider helps Mary Grayson thwart a plot to steal her land.
Stormy
Producer
A young man looks for a thoroughbred horse that was got lost during a train wreck.
The Roaring West
Producer
A 15-episode serial involving the land rush, gold mines, stolen maps, etc.
The Red Rider
Associate Producer
"Red" Davison(Buck Jones), the sheriff of Sun Dog, sacrifices his job and his good name to save his best friend, "Silent" Slade from the hangman's noose, following a framed-up court decision which sentences Slade to hang for the murder of "Scotty McKee (J.P. McGowan). Davidson allows Slade to escape from jail and follows him to aid him in proving his innocence.
The Vanishing Shadow
Producer
A 12-episode serial in which a son avenges the death of his father at the hands of corrupt politicians. He develops a wide variety of complex devices in his crusade . . . ray guns, robots and a 'vanishing belt.'
Pirate Treasure
Producer
An accomplished aviator sets out to locate treasure hidden by one of his ancestors. He encounters interference from various adversaries.
Perils of Pauline
Associate Producer
A famous scientist and his beautiful daughter travel to Indochina to find an ivory disc that has the formula for a deadly gas engraved on it. An evil doctor and his gang are also looking for it.
The Rustler's Roundup
Director
Winters is after the Brand ranch, and his man Brett who is foreman there is rustling the Brand stock. But Tom is on to their game and breaks up their attempt to buy the ranch. When they plan to rustle their horses, Tom must not only rescue Danny Brand, who is their prisoner, but stop the rustlers.
The Lost Special
Director
A lady reporter and two college students search for the "Gold Special," a train that disappeared without a trace.
Detective Lloyd
Producer
A detective matches wits with a group of thieves out to steal a priceless amulet.
Detective Lloyd
Director
A detective matches wits with a group of thieves out to steal a priceless amulet.
Battling with Buffalo Bill
Producer
A western adventure serial in 12 episodes. Buffalo Bill battles gambler Jim Rodney who is trying to scare off the townspeople so he can gain possession of a gold strike discovered in the area. A nearby Indian tribe is provoked to attack the town and the cavalry is called in.
Battling with Buffalo Bill
Writer
A western adventure serial in 12 episodes. Buffalo Bill battles gambler Jim Rodney who is trying to scare off the townspeople so he can gain possession of a gold strike discovered in the area. A nearby Indian tribe is provoked to attack the town and the cavalry is called in.
The Indians Are Coming
Producer
Jack Manning (Tim McCoy) arrives in a midwestern town from Gold Creek in Califonia. He brings a message from Goerge Woods (Francis Ford) to his brother Tom Woods (Francis Ford), in a dual role, and niece Mary (Allene Ray, informing them he has struck gold and asking them to join him in California via a wagon train. Jack and Mary fall in love to the great displeasure of Rance Carter (Wilbur McGaugh) who has a yen for Mary himself. Jack and Mary not only have to be wary of Carter's crooked ways and machinations, but also of Indian uprisings, caused by Carter.
Tarzan the Tiger
Producer
After Tarzan's estate is destroyed by Arabs Jane is sold into slavery by a man posing as a friendly scientist. Tarzan develops amnesia after a blow to the head. When he recovers his memory (from a later blow) he defeats the villain, recovers the fabulous jewels of Opar, and rescues Jane.
Tarzan the Tiger
Director
After Tarzan's estate is destroyed by Arabs Jane is sold into slavery by a man posing as a friendly scientist. Tarzan develops amnesia after a blow to the head. When he recovers his memory (from a later blow) he defeats the villain, recovers the fabulous jewels of Opar, and rescues Jane.
The Ace of Scotland Yard
Producer
From the Universal synopsis: Retired Inspector Blake of Scotland Yard learns that Lord Blanton has acquired the sacred "Love Ring"---a cursed jewel that has brought grief to its previous owners. Prince Darius seeks to obtain the ring, and the mummy of a princess of an ancient country to return them to his homeland.
The Harvest of Hate
Director
Purchasing the Carney Carnival and Road Show, unscrupulous sportsman Martin Trask assumes he has ownership of Rex, the world's greatest trained horse, and its rider, Margie Smith. The girl releases Rex, flees from Trask in a runaway wagon, and finds shelter with young cowboy farmer Jack Merritt, with whom she falls in love.
Hoofbeats of Vengeance
Director
Rex the wonder horse's owner is murdered by Joe Regan, the leader of a band of smugglers. RCMP Sgt. Jack Gordon has been sent to capture the villain. Rex vows vengeance on Regan and helps Gordon capture him.
Plunging Hoofs
Director
Jed Campbell, a "skypilot," and Nanette, a dance hall girl, meet when each goes to rescue Rex, "King of the Wild Horses," from a trap.
Smilin' Guns
Director
After "Dirty Neck" Jack Purvin sees a newspaper photograph of Eastern socialite Helen Van Smythe, soon to arrive at the nearby dude ranch, he hightails it to San Francisco in order to learn how to become a gentleman. Returning to the ranch, the new but not necessarily improved Jack shreds his dandified image in order to save Helen from a lecherous but decidedly fake count and her mother from a jewel thief.
Wild Blood
Director
It seems that an evil saloon owner not only wants this valuable steed for himself, but also its owner, the beautiful Mary Ellis. Enter honest gambler Jack Crosby, who wants to settle the score.
Burning the Wind
Director
Two ranchers get together to fight a common enemy and fall in love.
King of the Rodeo
Director
A Montana cowboy battles lowlifes while preparing for a competition in Chicago.
The Danger Rider
Director
Hal Doyle, son of the prison warden, falls in love with a portrait of Mollie Dare, who runs a reformatory for ex-convicts where they may work for honest wages. To win the girl he poses as the notorious Tucson Joe and goes to the reformatory where his reputation causes the other men to fear him. The real Tucson Joe arrives but does not reveal his identity.
Two Outlaws
Story
Human cowboy hero is teamed with Rex, King of Wild Horses, an ornery critter but a magnificent animal.
Two Outlaws
Director
Human cowboy hero is teamed with Rex, King of Wild Horses, an ornery critter but a magnificent animal.
Guardians of the Wild
Director
A forest ranger comes to the aid of his fiance and her father when a crooked rancher and his gang try to force them off their land.
Wild Beauty
Director
A soldier returns home from World War I with a beautiful black horse that he saved on the battlefield, and names Thunderhoof. He enters the horse in a local race, hoping to earn enough money to save the family ranch of the girl he loves. However, the crooks intent on taking the ranch manage to capture a notorious wild horse and enter it in the same race, believing that it can beat Thunderhoof and thereby ensure that they're able to take the ranch.
The Strings of Steel
Director
The Strings of Steel is a silent Action serial.
The Scarlet Streak
Director
A group steals a death ray in order to terrorise the world into peace. The inventor and his daughter try to retrieve the death ray with the aid of a government agent.
Racing for Life
Director
Jack Grant agrees to drive in the big race in order to save his brother Carl from being charged with embezzlement.
Miss Suwanna of Siam
Director
The film is a romance about a young woman named Suwanna who is the object of affection for many men. In her search for true love, she has many adventures and mishaps, including overcoming her father's disapproval, before finally finding her soulmate. It was one of first feature films to be made in Thailand, and was the first Hollywood co-production in Thailand. Unfortunately, nothing of the film exists today except for some promotional materials and other ephemera held at the Thailand National Film Archive.
Cameron of the Royal Mounted
Director
A young Scottish immigrant to Canada becomes a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The Dragon's Net
Screenplay
A set of eight golden lotus leaves holds the secret for eternal life. A young girl is tricked out of the one she holds, and enlists the aid of an adventurer is tracking down the entire set. Based on "The Petals of Lao-Tze".
The Dragon's Net
Director
A set of eight golden lotus leaves holds the secret for eternal life. A young girl is tricked out of the one she holds, and enlists the aid of an adventurer is tracking down the entire set. Based on "The Petals of Lao-Tze".
Elmo, the Mighty
Director
An 18-episode movie serial
Money Madness
Director
When a bank is on the verge of collapse, its president, George Fuller, uses his own fortune to cover its losses. Unknown to Fuller, however, Monroe Simmons, his vice-president, is undermining the bank for his own purposes. Then Tom Williams, who is in love with Fuller's daughter Ethel, asks his uncle, famous detective "Whispering Smith," to investigate the case.
The Bronze Bride
Director
Disgusted with his son Harvey's attitude since his return from college, wealthy William Ogden turns the boy out to make his own way in the world. Harvey finally lands in the Canadian North Woods, where he goes into business with Joe Dubois, a hunter and trapper. One day while Harvey is trapping, his leg is caught in a steel trap. He is rescued by A-Che-Chee, the daughter of Black Lynx the Indian Chief. A-Che-Chee takes Harvey to her cabin, where she dresses his wound. When her father and brother discover Harvey there, they insist upon an immediate marriage. Harvey protests, but finally agrees in order to maintain the good will of the Indians.
Guilty
Director
Guilty is a 1916 silent film
The Conspiracy
Director
The Conspiracy is a 1916 silent film
Liberty
Director
A 20 part 2-reel Western film serial.
Coral
Director
New England fisherman Dan McQuade finds a dying woman and her daughter shipwrecked after a storm and raises the daughter, whom he names Coral. After Dan reveals how he found her, Coral, who secretly builds sand sculptures, creates a life-size statue of a mother and baby. Wealthy artist Philip Norton and his self-centered bride Helen come on their honeymoon to the bay where Dan and Coral live. Coral, awed by Philip's talent, gives him a statue and they begin a friendship, which provokes Helen's jealousy. When Dan dies, Philip brings Coral to his parents' home in New York, where Helen plots to have her suspected of stealing a diamond.
The Eleventh Hour
Director
Bain is in love with Alice, the niece of his employer Mr Borrow. However, Alice is already happily engaged to Clifford. When his boss dies Bain starts working for his brother William Borrow. When Bain sees Alice again jealousy drives him to plan Clifford's murder. He pays Cochise, an Indian, to do the dirty work, but Cochise kills William Borrow instead of Clifford. Clifford is suspected of the murder and will be hanged. However, Cochise confesses his crime when he is rescued from drowning by Alice. Clifford can be released on time.
The Trey o' Hearts
Director
Film serial.
The Werewolf
Director
An old Indian legend tells of the supposed ability of persons who have been turned into wolves through magic power to assume human form at will for purposes of vengeance. This film is presumed lost.
In the Secret Service
Director
General Gordon, of the Federal army, receives a message from General Grant, telling him to intercept important dispatches "from Lee to Webber, carried over wires" in Gordon's vicinity. Lieutenant Barrett assumes the task, takes his instruments and sets out. Colonel Webber, of the Confederate army, has a daughter Edith. Lieutenant Fairfax aspires to her hand, but his attentions only annoy her.
Pierre of the North
Director
Pierre and Baptiste, French-Canadian half-breed trappers, are enamored of Mary, the factor's daughter. Both men propose to the girl, both are refused. Baptiste, mad with jealous rage, abducts the girl and carries her off to a lonely cabin in the wilderness. She defies him, throws his proffered ring at him and is chained to the floor to change her mind.