W.S. Van Dyke

Dubbed as the Hollywood's speediest director, W.S. Van Dyke was born in 1889 in San Diego, California, USA. His directorial career spanned across the silent and sound era of Hollywood from 1917 to 1943, with a predilection for adventure and musical genres, boasting seminal works such as "The Thin Man" series and "Tarzan the Ape Man." Despite not having any major film festival accolades, his enduring legacy is highlighted by a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and his knack for finishing films ahead of schedule without sacrificing quality earned him the nickname "One-Take Woody." Beyond his efficient filmmaking style, Van Dyke was a man of great resilience who, despite battling health issues, never allowed his personal struggles to compromise his passion for cinema.