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Sidney Franklin began acting in films in 1913; the following year, he co-directed comedy shorts with his older brother Chester. In the mid teens, the two collaborated on several features that were mostly aimed at children. Working on his own by 1918, Franklin made his reputation directing such actresses as Mary Pickford (The Hoodlum) and Constance Talmadge (East is West, Dulcy). Signing with MGM in 1926, Franklin directed Marion Davies (Quality Street), Norma Shearer (The Actress), and Greta Garbo (Wild Orchids); in 1931 he helmed two memorable play adaptations, The Guardsman with Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, and Noel Coward's Private Lives. A favorite of producer Irving Thalberg, Franklin also directed MGM's prestige projects The Barretts of Wimpole Street and The Good Earth. He then switched to the role of producer in 1939, his credits including On Borrowed Time, Mrs. Miniver, and The Yearling. In 1957 he made a final return to directing with his remake of The Barretts of Wimpole Street.