Born in San Francisco, CA. Brother of producer/director Sidney Franklin. Director who entered American film in 1915 co-directing THE BABY for Mutual with his brother, Sidney. Most of Chester's directing credits are in the silent era. After the advent of sound at MGM, he directed OLIMPIA (1930), LE PÉRE CÉLIBATAIRE and SU ÚLTIMA NOCHE (both 1931), VANITY FAIR, THE STOKER and A PARISIAN ROMANCE (all 1932), FILE 113 and THE IRON MASTER (both 1933), SEQUOIA (1934), and TOUGH GUY (1936). His second unit directing credits include GONE WITH THE WIND (1939), and THE YEARLING and DUEL IN THE SUN (both 1946). In the 1950s, he produced THE PAINTED HILLS (aka LASSIE'S ADVENTURES IN THE GOLDRUSH, 1951). A GUN IN HIS HAND was part of MGM's "Crime Does Not Pay" series.  Nominated for Short Subjects (Two-reel) 1945: A GUN IN HIS HAND - Producer 1 nomination