Howard Bretherton
Director
About Howard Bretherton
Howard Bretherton was an American film director who enjoyed a prolific career during Hollywood's Golden Age, directing over 60 films between 1925 and 1949. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he began his career in the film industry as an assistant director at Warner Bros. in the early 1920s before transitioning to full directing by 1925. Bretherton successfully navigated the challenging transition from silent films to talkies, demonstrating versatility across multiple genres including crime dramas, musicals, and westerns. Throughout his career, he worked with major stars of the era such as Pat O'Brien, Bing Crosby, and Joan Blondell, establishing himself as a reliable studio director known for delivering films on schedule and within budget. In the later stages of his career, Bretherton specialized in westerns and B-movies, particularly for studios like Republic Pictures. His efficient directing style and commercial sensibility made him a valuable contributor to the studio system, though like many directors of his era, his reputation has been somewhat overshadowed by more celebrated auteurs. Bretherton retired from directing in 1949, having left behind a substantial body of work that represents the typical output of a professional studio director during Hollywood's golden era.
The Craft
Behind the Camera
Howard Bretherton was known for his efficient, commercially-oriented directing style that made him a valuable asset to the studio system. He demonstrated remarkable versatility across genres, from crime dramas to musicals to westerns, adapting his approach to suit each project's requirements. Bretherton excelled at maintaining good pacing and crafting effective action sequences, particularly evident in his western films. His directing was characterized by its practicality and reliability - he consistently delivered films on schedule and within budget, making him a favorite among studio executives. While not known for distinctive artistic flourishes or auteurial vision, Bretherton's work was solid, professional, and entertaining, perfectly suited to the commercial demands of Golden Age Hollywood.
Milestones
- Began as assistant director at Warner Bros. in early 1920s
- Directed first film in 1925
- Successfully transitioned from silent to sound films
- Directed over 60 films in 25-year career
- Worked with major stars including Bing Crosby and Pat O'Brien
- Specialized in westerns in later career
Best Known For
Must-See Films
Accolades
Special Recognition
- Respected studio director known for commercial success
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Howard Bretherton's cultural impact lies primarily in his contribution to the Golden Age of Hollywood's studio system as a reliable, versatile director who helped maintain the steady output of films that characterized this era. His work across multiple genres, particularly his westerns, helped establish and reinforce genre conventions that would influence subsequent filmmakers. While not as celebrated as some of his contemporaries, Bretherton's films were part of the fabric of American popular culture during the 1930s and 1940s, providing entertainment to millions of moviegoers. His ability to consistently deliver commercially successful films exemplified the studio system's emphasis on reliability and mass appeal over artistic experimentation.
Lasting Legacy
Howard Bretherton's legacy is that of a quintessential studio director from Hollywood's Golden Age - professional, versatile, and commercially successful. While he may not be remembered alongside the great auteurs of cinema history, his substantial body of work represents the backbone of Hollywood's output during its most productive period. His films continue to be shown on classic movie channels and studied for their genre conventions, particularly his westerns. Bretherton's career serves as a reminder of the many skilled craftsmen who worked behind the scenes to create the films that defined American cinema's golden era. His efficient directing style and ability to work across genres set a standard for professional filmmaking that continues to influence studio productions today.
Who They Inspired
Howard Bretherton's influence is primarily seen in his contribution to genre filmmaking, particularly westerns, where his efficient storytelling and pacing helped establish conventions that would be followed by subsequent directors. His success as a studio director demonstrated the value of reliability and versatility in the film industry, influencing how studios approached director assignments. While he may not have directly mentored famous filmmakers, his work ethic and professional approach served as a model for the many directors who followed in his footsteps within the studio system. His films, particularly those starring major stars, continue to be referenced in studies of Golden Age Hollywood and genre cinema.
Off Screen
Howard Bretherton was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and eventually settled in California to pursue his film career. While specific details about his personal life are not extensively documented, he was married and had a family. He spent his final years in San Diego, California, where he passed away in 1969 at the age of 79. Despite his long career in Hollywood, Bretherton maintained a relatively private personal life, with most public information focusing on his professional accomplishments rather than his private affairs.
Education
Educational background not widely documented
Family
- Married (specific details not widely documented)
Did You Know?
- Directed over 60 films in a career spanning nearly 25 years
- Successfully transitioned from silent films to talkies in the late 1920s
- Known for completing films on schedule and within budget
- Worked with major stars including Bing Crosby, Pat O'Brien, and Joan Blondell
- Specialized in westerns in the later part of his career
- Began as an assistant director before becoming a full director
- Many of his films were B-movies but were commercially successful
- His career declined as the studio system began to break down in the late 1940s
- Rhythm on the River (1940) was one of his most successful films
- The Great Dan Patch (1949) was one of his final directing credits
In Their Own Words
Not widely documented
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Howard Bretherton?
Howard Bretherton was an American film director active during Hollywood's Golden Age, directing over 60 films from 1925 to 1949. He worked primarily as a studio director for major companies like Warner Bros., Universal, and Republic Pictures, known for his efficiency and versatility across multiple genres.
What films is Howard Bretherton best known for?
Bretherton is best known for films like 'The Great O'Malley' (1937) starring Pat O'Brien, 'Rhythm on the River' (1940) with Bing Crosby, 'Midnight Limited' (1940), 'The Man Who Talked Too Much' (1940), and various westerns he directed later in his career including 'The Great Dan Patch' (1949).
When was Howard Bretherton born and when did he die?
Howard Bretherton was born on February 13, 1890, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and died on June 12, 1969, in San Diego, California, at the age of 79.
What awards did Howard Bretherton win?
While Howard Bretherton didn't receive major awards like Academy Awards, he was respected as a reliable studio director who delivered commercially successful films consistently throughout his career, working with major stars and maintaining steady employment during Hollywood's Golden Age.
What was Howard Bretherton's directing style?
Bretherton was known for his efficient, commercially-oriented directing style, adapting well to various genres but particularly excelling in action sequences and pacing. His practical approach to filmmaking made him a valuable asset to the studio system, consistently delivering films on schedule and within budget.
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Films
1 film
