Anecdotes

He was filming The Warrens of Virginia (1924)in Texas when his leading lady, Martha Mansfield, died from burns suffered in an accident on the set. Although Clifton himself was not at fault, he was fired by Fox and his career lost momentum.

His association with D.W. Griffith culminated with the blockbuster silent film Way Down East (1920). Clifton shot much of its famous "rescue from the ice" sequence and doubled for star Richard Barthelmess in the riskier scenes.

Although he is credited with having directed several films released in 1950, they were all shot before his death in 1949. Not Wanted (1949) is actually his last film--Ida Lupino took over directing the picture after Clifton suffered a heart attack on set, and in fact he died shortly after its release.