Al Daff

Alfred Edward Daff (18 August 1902 – 1991) was an Australian born executive who became head of Universal Pictures.^[1][2][3]

Biography

Daff was born in Melbourne. He joined the Melbourne office of Universal Pictures at 18 years of age. In 1922 he took early aerial newsreel footage of New Guinea.^[3]

In 1924 he made a 20-minute send-up of wrestling called Who's Who In The Wrestling World - And Why?.^[4]

In 1935 he visited the Universal Studios in Hollywood. The following year he was appointed in charge of Universal's Japanese territories; two years after that he became Far East supervisor, then also the Middle East. In 1943 he became Universal Foreign Supervisor, covering all markets outside the US.^[5]

In 1949 he became President of Universal International Films, the overseas subsidiary of Universal Pictures Company.^[3] In 1952 he became Executive Vice President of Universal Pictures Company in 1952.^[6] He retired in 1958 but continued working as a consultant until the 1970s.^[4]

Daff was married twice and had one daughter.^[7]

Al Daff

Daff was the topic of a 1975 documentary Al Daff. The documentary consists of Daff being interviewed by Ken G. Hall. He offered advice for Australian filmmakers and reminisced about his own career.^[8]

References