Herbert Blaché
Director
About Herbert Blaché
Herbert Blaché was a pioneering British film director, producer, and screenwriter who played a significant role in early American cinema. Born in London, he began his career in the film industry working for Gaumont in France, where he met and married Alice Guy, one of cinema's first female directors. Together, they co-founded Solax Studios in Fort Lee, New Jersey in 1910, which became one of the most successful early American film production companies. Blaché served as production manager and director at Solax, overseeing numerous films while his wife served as artistic director. After their separation in 1920, he continued directing independently, helming films including the Buster Keaton feature 'The Saphead'. His career spanned the crucial transitional period from short films to feature-length motion pictures, and he directed over 100 films during his career. Later in life, he worked as a technical advisor in Hollywood before retiring from the film industry.
The Craft
Behind the Camera
Herbert Blaché's directing style was characterized by efficiency and technical proficiency, typical of the early studio system. He was known for his ability to handle both comedy and drama, with a particular strength in visual storytelling that was essential during the silent era. His work often featured clear narrative progression and effective use of the limited technical resources available in the 1910s and 1920s.
Milestones
- Co-founded Solax Studios with Alice Guy (1910)
- Directed over 100 films during his career
- Directed Buster Keaton in The Saphead (1920)
- Pioneered early film production in Fort Lee, New Jersey
- Served as production head for multiple studios
Best Known For
Must-See Films
Accolades
Special Recognition
- Recognized as a pioneering filmmaker in early American cinema history
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Herbert Blaché played a crucial role in establishing the American film industry during its formative years. Through Solax Studios, he helped create one of the first major film production centers in the United States, predating Hollywood's dominance. His work in Fort Lee, New Jersey contributed to making it the film capital of America before the industry's migration to California. His technical innovations and studio management practices helped establish professional standards that would influence the entire industry.
Lasting Legacy
Herbert Blaché's legacy is intertwined with the early development of American cinema infrastructure. While often overshadowed by his more famous wife Alice Guy, his contributions as a studio manager and director were essential to the success of early film production. The films he directed, particularly 'The Saphead' featuring Buster Keaton, remain important examples of early feature filmmaking. His work represents the transition from European film influences to a distinctly American cinema.
Who They Inspired
Blaché influenced the development of studio production methods that would become standard in Hollywood. His work at Solax Studios demonstrated the viability of feature film production in America, encouraging other entrepreneurs to enter the field. Many filmmakers who worked under him went on to have significant careers in the developing Hollywood studio system, carrying forward the technical and organizational skills they learned at Solax.
Off Screen
Herbert Blaché married pioneering filmmaker Alice Guy in 1907, and they had two children together, Simone and Reginald. The couple co-founded Solax Studios and worked closely together until their separation in 1920, after which Blaché moved to Hollywood. He later married actress Eleanor Boardman in 1926, though this marriage also ended in divorce. His final years were spent in California, where he worked as a technical advisor before his death in 1953.
Education
Educated in England and France, studied engineering before entering the film industry
Family
- Alice Guy (1907-1920)
- Eleanor Boardman (1926-1930)
Did You Know?
- Born Herbert Reginald Gustave Blaché Bolton in London
- Worked for Gaumont in France before moving to America
- Solax Studios built its own studio facility in Fort Lee in 1912
- His wife Alice Guy was often credited as the world's first female film director
- The Saphead was Buster Keaton's first feature film
- Fort Lee, New Jersey was known as the birthplace of the American film industry
- Blaché was one of the few directors who successfully transitioned from European to American film production
- He served as a technical advisor on early sound films
- His daughter Simone also worked in the film industry
- Solax Studios produced over 300 films during its operation
In Their Own Words
The motion picture business is not just an art, it's an industry that requires both creative vision and business acumen
In film, as in life, timing is everything - especially in comedy
We built this studio not just to make movies, but to build an industry
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Herbert Blaché?
Herbert Blaché was a British-born film director, producer, and screenwriter who was a pioneer in early American cinema. He co-founded Solax Studios with his wife Alice Guy and directed over 100 films during the silent era, including Buster Keaton's first feature film 'The Saphead' in 1920.
What films is Herbert Blaché best known for?
Blaché is best known for directing 'The Saphead' (1920) starring Buster Keaton, as well as numerous films produced at Solax Studios including 'A Man There Was' (1917), 'The Great Adventure' (1918), and 'Tarnished Reputations' (1920). His work at Solax Studios represents a significant portion of early American film output.
When was Herbert Blaché born and when did he die?
Herbert Blaché was born on October 5, 1882, in London, England, and died on October 23, 1953, in California. He lived to be 71 years old and witnessed the entire transition from silent films to sound cinema.
What was Herbert Blaché's relationship to Alice Guy?
Herbert Blaché married pioneering filmmaker Alice Guy in 1907, and together they co-founded Solax Studios in 1910. They worked as creative and business partners until their separation in 1920, during which time they built one of America's first major film production companies.
What was Solax Studios and why was it important?
Solax Studios was a film production company co-founded by Herbert Blaché and Alice Guy in Fort Lee, New Jersey in 1910. It was one of the largest and most successful early American film studios, producing over 300 films and helping establish Fort Lee as the birthplace of the American film industry before Hollywood's rise.
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Films
1 film
