W. H. Clune

William H. Clune (August 18, 1862 – October 18, 1927) was an American railroad property developer, film exchange and then theater chain owner, film studio owner, and film producer.

Career Born in Hannibal, Missouri, He launched his studio in 1915. His film productions were based on novels. His first production was 1916's Ramona.

He played hardball with competitors. He came into dispute with Nell Shipman over their film projects together.

He died in Los Angeles, two months past his 65th birthday. The Birth of a Nation, originally released as The Clansman in February 1915, had its world premiere at Clune's Auditorium on Pershing Square in the Core of Los Angeles.

Filmography Ramona (1916), based the book Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson about life in California's early days The Eyes of the World (1917), filmed in Redlands, California, adapted from the Harold Bell Wright's novel The Eyes of the World From Manger to Cross A Bear, a Boy and a Dog by Nell Shipman The Girl From God's Country (1920)

Theaters The following theaters (in Los Angeles unless otherwise noted) were part of Clune's movie theater chain:

Clune's Downtown (1909–1914), 453 South Main Street Clune's Exclusive (1909), 547 S. Broadway Clune's Broadway (1910), 528 S. Broadway Clune's Pasadena (1911), 61 W. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena Clune's Auditorium (1910s), 5th and Olive