Career
Born in Coffeen, Illinois, Miller"s credits include The Phantom of the Opera (1924), Navajo (1952), Danger - Love at Work, Mr. Moto Takes a Chance, The Mummy"s Curse, Crazylegs, and six Charlie Chan films. Miller published his autobiography, Splinters from Hollywood Tripods, in 1964.
Prior to working for Universal Studios and, eventually, most other major studios, Miller was a graduate from and a professor at Kansas State University teaching physics and electrical engineering.
Best known for being one of the first to use electrical lights to film indoors and at night. In 1915, he filmed on location in San Francisco, California for the World"s Fair.
One of the earliest "on location" scenes filmed. He also coordinated very early special effects including filming stampedes, explosions, and shrinking people.
He was first married to Myrtle Bower.
Together they had 5 boys: Joaquin, Wendell, Harlan "Lee", Lauren, and Donald. He died in Hollywood, California.