Don O. Newland

Who was Don O. Newland?

Don Oliver Newland was an American film director and producer whose career consisted largely of itinerant work. From the 1920s until his death, he traveled to cities throughout the United States making films that employed local citizens as stars and extras. Using a standard script, Newland personalized each film according to its location – Belvidere's Hero, Staunton's Hero, Janesville's Hero, Huntingdon's Hero, Tyrone's Hero, Wilmington's Hero, and so on.

Newland was born June 8, 1896, in Battle Creek, Michigan, the son of Dr. J.S. Newland and the former Josephine Roche. He enlisted in the United States Army on Aug 28, 1918, in Chicago, Illinois and was assigned to 4th Company, Development Battalion No. 1. He spent less than five months in the military, being discharged at Camp Wadsworth, S.C., on Jan 9, 1919, as part of the country's general demobilization after World War I.