John Alton
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| John Alton, A.S.C. | |||||||
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| Born | Johann Altmann October 5, 1901 Sopron, Austria-Hungary |
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| Died | June 2, 1996 Santa Monica, California |
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| Occupation | Cinematographer | ||||||
| Spouse(s) | Rozalia Kiss | ||||||
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John Alton A.S.C. (October 5, 1901 – June 2, 1996), was born Johann Altmann, in Sopron/Ödenburg, Austria-Hungary (now Hungary), was an American cinematographer.[1]
Alton won an Academy Award for An American in Paris (1951).
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[edit] Career
He photographed some of the most famous film noirs of the classic period. He started out in Los Angeles as a lab technician in the 1920s, later becoming a cameraman within four years.[2] He moved to France with Ernst Lubitsch to film backgrounds for The Student Prince (1927) and ended up staying for one year becoming heading the camera department of Paramount Pictures's Joinville Studios. In 1932 he moved to Argentina where he shot many Spanish-language films and designed the country's first sound film studio for Lumiton and Argentina Sono Film.
He returned to Hollywood in the late 1930s, with two dozen film credits, and became one of the most sought after cinematographers in American cinema.[3]
Alton was known for unconventional camera angles—especially low camera shots. His style is most notable in the film noirs: He Walked by Night, The Big Combo, The Amazing Mr. X, T-Men, and Raw Deal.
Alton also photographed many color movies including Slightly Scarlet (a color film noir).
[edit] Book
Alton wrote Painting with Light (1945) one of the first books written by a working studio cinematographer. It addresses the techniques of motion-picture lighting. While much of the content is outdated due to technology advances, it contains substantial information and ideas and remains a good window to the shooting practices of the mid-20th century black and white studio film.
[edit] Filmography
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[edit] Television
In 1966 Alton shot the pilot for what would become a highly popular television series in the late 1960s and early 1970: Mission: Impossible (see: Pilot).
[edit] Awards
Wins
- Academy Awards: Oscar, Best Cinematography, Color; An American in Paris, shared with: Alfred Gilks; 1952.
Nominations
- Laurel Awards: Golden Laurel, Top Cinematography, Color, The Brothers Karamazov, 4th place; 1959.
Other honors
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards: Career Achievement Award; 1992.
[edit] References
- ^ John Alton at the Internet Movie Database.
- ^ John Alton at Allmovie.
- ^ Steeman, Albert. Internet Encyclopedia of Cinematographers, "John Alton page," Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2007. Last accessed: December 13, 2007.
- ^ Goble, Alan. The Complete Index to World Film, since 1885. 2008. Index home page.
- ^ Steeman, Albert. Ibid.
[edit] Additional references
- Harry Tomicek: Das grosse Schwarz. Border Incident, von Anthony Mann, Kamera: John Alton (1949). In: Christian Cargnelli, Michael Omasta (eds.): Schatten. Exil. Europäische Emigranten im Film noir. PVS, Vienna 1997. ISBN 3-901196-26-9.
[edit] External links
- John Alton at the Internet Movie Database.
- John Alton at Allmovie.
- Painting With Light, at Google Books.
- John Alton at Painting With Light.
- John Alton images and analysis at Images Journal.
- John Alton at Film Reference.
- John Alton: two trailers of John Alton films at Spike TV (iFilm).
