Theodore Wharton (1875–1931) was an American film director, producer and writer. He directed 48 films in the 1910s and 1920s, including the 1915 The New Adventures of J. Rufus Wallingford, which featured Oliver Hardy.

He was born April 12, 1875 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was the younger brother of Leopold Wharton (1870–1927), who was also a film director.
In 1890 Wharton started in both the business side of the theater as well as acting in Dallas, Texas. He worked for a number of stock companies, including that of Augustin Daly until 1899, and then became a stage manager. In 1907 he visited Edison Studios and worked there until 1909. Over the next 3 years he wrote and directed many screenplays for various studios including Essanay Studios.

During 1912 the US government commissioned him to produce The Late Indian Wars, the first sevel-reel motion picture in America. It was filmed on location in the great plains, with a script by General Charles King and a large cast including other generals and "Buffalo Bill" Cody. The Whartons Studio opened in Ithaca, New York in 1914. Stars he directed included Francis X. Bushman, Henry B. Walthall and Beverly Bayne.
In the 1920s Wharton moved to Santa Cruz, California, as promoted by mayor Fred Swanton.
He died November 28, 1931 in Hollywood, California.

Biography

Il a d'abord travaillé dans l'univers du théâtre. En 1907, après une visite aux Studios Edison, il décide de s'y installer et y restera jusqu'en 1909. Il collabore ensuite avec différentes compagnies, et notamment avec Essanay. Il a réalisé et produit de nombreux films, et en 1914, il fonda avec son frère une compagnie de production : The Whartons Studio.