Charles Rosher
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| Charles Rosher | |||||||
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| Born | November 17, 1885 London, England |
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| Died | January 15, 1974 (aged 88) Lisbon, Portugal |
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Charles Rosher (November 17, 1885–January 15, 1974) was a two-time Academy Award–winning cinematographer from the early days of silent films through the 1950s. He was born in London, England. He was the father of actress Joan Marsh and cinematographer Charles Rosher Jr., and, along with 1929 co-winner Karl Struss, was the first cinematographer to receive an Academy Award.
Charles studied photography in his youth but earned a reputation early as a newsreel cameraman, before moving to the United States in 1909. He subsequently found work for David Horsley working in his production company in New Jersey. Because early film was largely restricted to using daylight, David moved his production company in 1911 — taking Charles with him — to Hollywood (largely for the better weather) and opened the first movie studio there. This made Charles the first full-time cameraman in Hollywood. In 1913 he went to Mexico to film newsreel footage of Pancho Villa's Villa Rebellion. In 1918, he was one of the founders of the American Society of Cinematographers and served as the group's first Vice-President. In the 1920's he was one of the most sought-after cinematographers in Hollywood, and a personal favorite of stars such as Mary Pickford. His work with Karl Struss on F.W. Murnau's 1927 film Sunrise is viewed as a milestone in cinematography. He shot four films for producer David O. Selznick , including the classic 1936 sound version of Little Lord Fauntleroy, starring Freddie Bartholomew.
He worked at several studios, but spent the last twelve years of his career exclusively at MGM, photographing such films as Annie Get Your Gun, the 1951 Show Boat, Kiss Me Kate and The Yearling, which contains some of his most celebrated work.
He died of an accidental fall in 1974, in Lisbon, Portugal.
[edit] Awards
- 1952 - Nominated for a Best Cinematography Oscar for Show Boat
- 1951 - Nominated for a Best Cinematography Oscar for Annie Get Yor Gun
- 1947 - Won a Best Cinematography Oscar, with Leonard Smith and Arthur E. Arling, for The Yearling
- 1945 - Nominated for a Best Cinematography Oscar for Kismet
- 1935 - Nominated for a Best Cinematography Oscar for The Affairs of Cellini
- 1929 - Won a Best Cinematography Oscar with Karl Struss for Sunrise
In addition, he also received two Eastman Medals (named for George Eastman), Photoplay magazine's Gold Medal, and the only fellowship ever awarded by the Society of Motion Picture Engineers.
