Monta Bell (February 5, 1891 – February 4, 1958) was an American film director, film producer and film editor.
Starting as a journalist in Washington DC, Bell later played on stage and entered films in 1923 as an actor. Charlie Chaplin employed Bell as a film editor and assistant director and in 1924, he became a full-fledged director of sophisticated sex comedies. Bell is known for directing Greta Garbo's first American film, The Torrent. Bell j...
more
Monta Bell (February 5, 1891 – February 4, 1958) was an American film director, film producer and film editor.
Starting as a journalist in Washington DC, Bell later played on stage and entered films in 1923 as an actor. Charlie Chaplin employed Bell as a film editor and assistant director and in 1924, he became a full-fledged director of sophisticated sex comedies. Bell is known for directing Greta Garbo's first American film, The Torrent. Bell joined up with Paramount Pictures serving as head of production at the Astoria studio in New York. As sound films came in, Bell directed a number of high comedies and low melodramas later moving to producing films.
Bell was married for a brief time to actress Betty Lawford, cousin of actor Peter Lawford. Monta directed 20 films from 1924 to 1945. In addition, he producer 20 films and wrote 9 screenplays.
less
