Complex sentence: Charles Brabin (April 17,1883--November 3,1957) was an American film director and screenwriter active during the silent era, and pursued a short-lived career in talkies.
Split into simpler sentences: Charles Brabin (April 17,1883--November 3,1957) was an American film director and screenwriter. He was active during the silent era, then pursued a short-lived career in talkies.