Like other established silent-film directors Christy Cabanne, William Beaudine, Elmer Clifton, Lambert Hillyer, and Harry Fraser, Hill was given fewer major assignments in talking pictures. Although Hill began the sound era with Universal, he soon was forced to freelance for independent producers like Sol Lesser, Max and Arthur Alexander, and Sam Katzman.
Like other well-known silent-film directors Cabanne, Beaudine, Clifton, Hillyer, and Fraser, Hill received fewer significant assignments in talkies. Although Hill started the sound era with Universal, he soon had to work on a freelance basis for independent producers like Lesser, the Alexanders, and Katzman.