Background
His father was Franklin S. Van Trees (aka Frank Van Trees 1866-1914), a society architect, best known for his mansions in the Pacific Heights area of San Francisco, such as the Baron Edward S. Rothschild house on Jackson Street.
His father was Franklin S. Van Trees (aka Frank Van Trees 1866-1914), a society architect, best known for his mansions in the Pacific Heights area of San Francisco, such as the Baron Edward S. Rothschild house on Jackson Street.
His mother was silent era scriptwriter Julia Crawford Ivers. Van Trees was the President of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) during 1923-1924.