Arthur Embery Higgins (25 October 189122 September 1963) was a pioneering Australian cinematographer known for his use of

trick photography Special effects (often abbreviated as SFX, F/X or simply FX) are illusions or visual tricks used in the theatre, film, television, video game, amusement park and simulator industries to simulate the imagined events in a story or virtual wo ...

during the silent era. His ongoing collaborations with director

Raymond Longford Raymond Longford (born John Walter Hollis Longford, 23 September 18782 April 1959) was a prolific Australian film director, writer, producer and actor during the silent era. Longford was a major director of the silent film era of the Australian ...

include ''

The Sentimental Bloke ''The Sentimental Bloke'' is a 1918 Australian silent film based on the 1915 verse novel ''The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke'' by C. J. Dennis. Produced and directed by Raymond Longford, the film stars Arthur Tauchert, Gilbert Emery, and Lottie Ly ...

'' (1919) and '' The Blue Mountains Mystery'' (1921). He briefly turned to directing with '' Odds On'' (1928) however returned to cinematography in 1931 for the remainder of his career.

Biography

Arthur Higgins was born in

Glebe Glebe (; also known as church furlong, rectory manor or parson's close(s))McGurk 1970, p. 17 is an area of land within an ecclesiastical parish used to support a parish priest. The land may be owned by the church, or its profits may be reserved ...

, Hobart,

Tasmania ) , nickname = , image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdi ...

in 1891. He was the youngest of three brothers,

Ernest Ernest is a given name derived from Germanic word ''ernst'', meaning "serious". Notable people and fictional characters with the name include: People * Archduke Ernest of Austria (1553–1595), son of Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor * Ernest, ...

and Tasman. From a young age, Arthur was introduced to photography and

projection Projection, projections or projective may refer to: Physics * Projection (physics), the action/process of light, heat, or sound reflecting from a surface to another in a different direction * The display of images by a projector Optics, graphic ...

by his eldest brother, Ernest. In 1900, Ernest rigged up a projector from his father's shop's balcony with a screen on a building across the street. Eventually Ernest's fascination with photography and cinema took him to Sydney where he found work at Cosens Spencer filming

newsreels A newsreel is a form of short documentary film, containing news stories and items of topical interest, that was prevalent between the 1910s and the mid 1970s. Typically presented in a cinema, newsreels were a source of current affairs, inform ...

and

travelogue Travelogue may refer to: Genres * Travel literature, a record of the experiences of an author travelling * Travel documentary A travel documentary is a documentary film, television program, or online series that describes travel in general or ...

s. Although Arthur had begun a career in architecture, he chose to join Ernest in Sydney in 1908 to pursue a career in

cinematography Cinematography (from ancient Greek κίνημα, ''kìnema'' "movement" and γράφειν, ''gràphein'' "to write") is the art of motion picture (and more recently, electronic video camera) photography. Cinematographers use a lens to foc ...

. From 1911, the brothers would work closely with director

. In 1912, Tasman also moved to Sydney to join his brothers.

Higgins Bros, Cinematographers

The Higgins brothers founded Higgins Bros, Cinematographers in 1913 after their workplace merged with Australasian Films Ltd. Generally the brothers worked on documentaries and compilation films although they did one feature film, '' A Long, Long Way to Tipperary'' in 1914. Discouraged by the lack of income from their work, by 1917 Ernest had become the sole proprietor of the company. After leaving Higgins Bros, Arthur ventured further with Raymond Longford and

Lottie Lyell Lottie Lyell (born Charlotte Edith Cox, 23 February 1890 – 21 December 1925) was an Australian actress, screenwriter, editor and filmmaker. She is regarded as Australia's first film star, and also contributed to the local industry during the ...

's projects including ''

'' (1919) and ''

On Our Selection ''On Our Selection'' (1899) is a series of stories written by Australian author Steele Rudd, the pen name of Arthur Hoey Davis, in the late 1890s, featuring the characters Dad and Dave Rudd. The original edition of the book was illustrated by ...

'' (1920).

Arthur Higgins Productions

In 1928 Higgins set up Arthur Higgins Productions and made a racing film, '' Odds On'', and in 1930, with his brother Tasman as cameraman, the visually spectacular '' Fellers''. Set in Palestine, desert scenes were shot in sandhills near Sydney. Although mostly silent, the last reel was synchronized with a few minutes of dialogue. ''Fellers'' won the only prize in the ''Commonwealth Film Competition'' that year. After visiting the United States of America, Higgins worked for F. W. Thring's Efftee Film Productions in

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...

and later on films for

Pat Hanna George Patrick "Pat" Hanna (born 18 March 1888 in Whitianga, New Zealand – 24 October 1973 in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, England) was a New Zealand-born film producer, he was a soldier of the First World War who entertained post-war audience ...

. In 1936, Higgins joined

Cinesound Productions Cinesound Productions Pty Ltd was an Australian feature film production company, established in June 1931, Cinesound developed out of a group of companies centred on Greater Union Theatres, that covered all facets of the film process, from produ ...

and continued to make feature films for different directors until 1946. In the 1950s Higgins operated with Neville Bletcher the production company, Solarchrome Color Productions, at 300 Pitt st, Sydney, with studio at St Johns Road, Glebe NSW (1).The Film Weekly Motion Picture Directory 1957-8 Solarchrome was his own adaptation of a bi-pack (two tints) colour process. Arthur married Sheila Elizabeth Smith on 27 June 1917 at

Moonee Ponds Moonee Ponds is an inner-city suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, north-west of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the City of Moonee Valley local government area. Moonee Ponds recorded a population of 16,224 at the 2 ...

. The couple were childless. Higgins died at his home at

Potts Point Potts Point is a small and densely populated suburb in inner-city Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Potts Point is located east of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney. Potts ...

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

on 22 September 1963 and was

cremated Cremation is a method of final disposition of a dead body through burning. Cremation may serve as a funeral or post-funeral rite and as an alternative to burial. In some countries, including India and Nepal, cremation on an open-air pyre i ...

Filmography

*''

The Fatal Wedding ''The Fatal Wedding'' is a play by Theodore Kremer and a 1911 Australian silent film directed by Raymond Longford based on the melodrama, which he and Lottie Lyell had toured around Australia.

'' (1911) *'' The Romantic Story of Margaret Catchpole'' (1911) *'' The Tide of Death'' (1912) *'' Australia Calls'' (1913) *'' If the Huns Came to Melbourne'' (1916) *'' The Woman Suffers'' (1918) *''

'' (1919) *''

'' (1920) *''

Rudd's New Selection ''Rudd's New Selection'' is a 1921 Australian silent film directed by Raymond Longford based on the Dad and Dave stories by Steele Rudd. It is a sequel to '' On Our Selection'' (1920). The plot concerns the marriage of Dave Rudd (Tal Ordell) a ...

'' (1921) *'' The Blue Mountains Mystery'' (1921) *'' Sunshine Sally'' (1922) *'' A Daughter of Australia'' (1922) *'' Circumstance'' (1922) *''

Townies and Hayseeds ''Townies and Hayseeds'' is a 1923 Australian film comedy from director Beaumont Smith. It is the fifth in his series about the rural family the Hayseeds. It is considered a lost film. Synopsis City-dweller Pa Townie goes to the country for a ...

'' (1923) *'' Australia Calls'' (1923) *''

Fisher's Ghost ''Fisher's Ghost'' is a 1960 Australian operetta. It is based on the legend of Fisher's ghost which had previously inspired the 1924 film from Raymond Longford. Operetta The operetta was composed by John Gordon and was originally performed at ...

'' (1924) *''

The Bushwhackers The Bushwhackers are a professional wrestling tag team who competed first as the New Zealand Kiwis and then as The Sheepherders during their 36-year career as a tag team. They wrestled in the World Wrestling Federation, Jim Crockett Promotions, ...

'' (1925) *'' Peter Vernon's Silence'' (1926) *'' The Pioneers'' (1926) *'' Hills of Hate'' (1926) *''

The Kid Stakes ''The Kid Stakes'' is a 1927 Australian silent black and white comedy film written and directed by Tal Ordell. The screenplay is based on characters created by Syd Nicholls in his comic strip, '' Fatty Finn''. Plot summary Fatty Finn (Robin 'Po ...

'' (1927) *'' Odds On'' (1928) – director *'' Fellers'' (1930) – director *''

A Co-respondent's Course ''A Co-respondent's Course'' is a short 1931 Australian film. The screenplay was written by Montague Grover (1870–1943), an experienced journalist. The film was the first film made by Efftee Studios, a production company owned by F.W. Thring, ...

'' (1931) *''

Diggers The Diggers were a group of religious and political dissidents in England, associated with agrarian socialism. Gerrard Winstanley and William Everard, amongst many others, were known as True Levellers in 1649, in reference to their split from ...

'' (1931) *'' His Royal Highness'' (1932) *'' Harmony Row'' (1933) *'' Diggers in Blighty'' (1933) *''

Waltzing Matilda "Waltzing Matilda" is a song developed in the Australian style of poetry and folk music called a bush ballad. It has been described as the country's "unofficial national anthem". The title was Australian slang for travelling on foot (waltzing) ...

'' (1933) *'' The Streets of London'' (1934) *''

Clara Gibbings ''Clara Gibbings'' is a 1934 Australian film directed by F.W. Thring about the owner of a London pub who discovers she is the daughter of an earl. It was a vehicle for stage star Dorothy Brunton.Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, ''Australian Film 190 ...

'' (1934) *'' A Ticket in Tatts'' (1934) *'' The Avenger'' (1937) *''

Show Business Show business, sometimes shortened to show biz or showbiz (since 1945), is a vernacular term for all aspects of the entertainment industry.''Oxford English Dictionary'' 2nd Ed. (1989) From the business side (including managers, agents, produce ...

'' (1938) *''

Wings of Destiny ''Wings of Destiny'' is a 1940 action war film directed by Rupert Kathner and starring Marshall Crosby and John Fernside. The film is about the activities of fifth columnists in Australia during the Second World War. ''Wings of Destiny'' was one ...

'' (1940) *'' That Certain Something'' (1941) *''

The Power and the Glory ''The Power and the Glory'' is a 1940 novel by British author Graham Greene. The title is an allusion to the doxology often recited at the end of the Lord's Prayer: "For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever, amen." ...

'' (1945) *''

Harvest Gold ''Harvest Gold'' is a 1945 Australian industrial film about a farmer who clings to old methods of production. Synopsis The film explores various aspects of mechanical farming, from clearing the land to harvesting, and deals with the clash of at ...

'' (1945) *''

A Son is Born ''A Son Is Born'' is a 1946 Australian melodrama directed by Eric Porter and starring Ron Randell, Peter Finch, and Muriel Steinbeck. Synopsis In 1920, Laurette marries an irresponsible drifter, Paul Graham. They have a son, David, but later di ...

'' (1946)

References

External links

*
Arthur Higgins
at Australian Dictionary of Biography
Arthur Higgins Biography
at Australian Cinematography Society {{DEFAULTSORT:Higgins, Arthur Australian film directors People from Hobart Australian cinematographers 1891 births 1963 deaths