Hal Mohr, A.S.C. (August 2, 1894 in San Francisco – May 10, 1974 in
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica (; Spanish: ''Santa Mónica'') is a city in Los Angeles County, situated along Santa Monica Bay on California's South Coast. Santa Monica's 2020 U.S. Census population was 93,076. Santa Monica is a popular resort town, owing t ...
Oscar
Oscar, OSCAR, or The Oscar may refer to:
People
* Oscar (given name), an Irish- and English-language name also used in other languages; the article includes the names Oskar, Oskari, Oszkár, Óscar, and other forms.
* Oscar (Irish mythology) ...
The Phantom of the Opera
''The Phantom of the Opera'' (french: Le Fantôme de l'Opéra) is a novel by French author Gaston Leroux. It was first published as a serial in from 23 September 1909 to 8 January 1910, and was released in volume form in late March 1910 by Pier ...
'' in 1943, and received a nomination for '' The Four Poster'' in 1952.
Career
From a young age, Hal Mohr wanted to pursue a career in cinematography because he was curious to learn about how to make pictures move onscreen. He worked as a photo finisher in a photo lab to gain experience with the camera. When he was 19 years old, he filmed his first movie, ''Pam's Daughter'', which, unfortunately, was never seen by the public because of problems with the motion picture distribution company.
Mohr moved to Hollywood in 1915 and began working at Universal City to gain further experience in the industry. There, he filmed ''
The Jazz Singer
''The Jazz Singer'' is a 1927 American musical drama film directed by Alan Crosland. It is the first feature-length motion picture with both synchronized recorded music score as well as lip-synchronous singing and speech (in several isolate ...
'' in 1927 for Warner Brothers.
In 1915, in an early example of an
exploitation film
An exploitation film is a film that tries to succeed financially by exploiting current trends, niche genres, or lurid content. Exploitation films are generally low-quality "B movies", though some set trends, attract critical attention, become hi ...
peddled directly to theater owners, Mohr and
Sol Lesser
Sol Lesser (February 17, 1890 – September 19, 1980) was an American film producer. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 and was awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1961.
Biography
In 1913, while living in San F ...
produced and directed a film ''
The Last Night of the Barbary Coast
''The Last Night of the Barbary Coast'' (1913) was an early example of the exploitation film, showing what was purported to be the last night of the Barbary Coast red-light section of San Francisco. In reality, the Barbary Coast wasn't shut down ...
''. This film purported to show the last night of the depraved Barbary Coastred-light district of San Francisco before it was shut down by the police. (The area was not actually closed down until 1917.) This is now considered a
lost film
A lost film is a feature
Feature may refer to:
Computing
* Feature (CAD), could be a hole, pocket, or notch
* Feature (computer vision), could be an edge, corner or blob
* Feature (software design) is an intentional distinguishing char ...
The Phantom of the Opera
''The Phantom of the Opera'' (french: Le Fantôme de l'Opéra) is a novel by French author Gaston Leroux. It was first published as a serial in from 23 September 1909 to 8 January 1910, and was released in volume form in late March 1910 by Pier ...
'', he was passionate about exploring the limits of the camera. Mohr shot in deep focus years before Gregg Toland – ''
Bullets or Ballots
''Bullets or Ballots'' is a 1936 American gangster film starring Edward G. Robinson, Joan Blondell, Barton MacLane, and Humphrey Bogart. Robinson plays a police detective who infiltrates a crime gang. This is the first of several films featuri ...
'' and ''
The Green Pastures
''The Green Pastures'' is a play written in 1930 by Marc Connelly adapted from ''Ol' Man Adam an' His Chillun'' (1928), a collection of stories written by Roark Bradford. The play was the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1930. It had th ...
'' were both shot in deep focus.
He was inspired by the moving shots in the Italian movie, ''
Cabiria
''Cabiria'' is a 1914 Italian epic silent film, directed by Giovanni Pastrone and shot in Turin. The film is set in ancient Sicily, Carthage, and Cirta during the period of the Second Punic War (218–202 BC). It follows a melodramatic mai ...
'', and developed a camera with special tracking abilities for his 1914 film, ''Pan's Mountain''.
Notably, Mohr is the only person to have won a competitive
Academy Award
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
without being nominated for it. In 1936, a write-in campaign won him the Best Cinematography Oscar for his work on '' A Midsummer Night's Dream'' (1935). The Academy later changed the Oscar rules, making write-in voting impossible. In 1944, Mohr became the first person to win an Oscar for both Black-and-White and Color cinematography when he won his second Academy Award, this time with
W. Howard Greene
William Howard Greene (1895–1956) was an American cinematographer.
Career
Greene was a cinematographer on many early Technicolor films, including '' Legong: Dance of the Virgins'' (1935) and '' A Star Is Born'' (1937).
Awards
* 1937: Special ...
for Best Cinematography in a Color Film, for their work on ''
The Phantom of the Opera
''The Phantom of the Opera'' (french: Le Fantôme de l'Opéra) is a novel by French author Gaston Leroux. It was first published as a serial in from 23 September 1909 to 8 January 1910, and was released in volume form in late March 1910 by Pier ...
'' (1943).
Mohr was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematographer for his work on '' The Four Poster'' (1952), a film based on a play of the same name, written by
Jan de Hartog
Jan de Hartog (April 22, 1914 – September 22, 2002) was a Dutch playwright, novelist and occasional social critic who moved to the United States in the early 1960s and became a Quaker.
Biography
Early years
Jan de Hartog was born to a Dut ...
. He was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Cinematography in a Black and White Film, for his work on the same movie.
Other film cinematographer credits include ''
Little Annie Rooney
''Little Annie Rooney'' is a comic strip about a young orphaned girl who traveled about with her dog, Zero.
King Features Syndicate launched the strip on January 10, 1927, not long after it was apparent that the Chicago Tribune Syndicate had ...
Cheers for Miss Bishop
''Cheers for Miss Bishop'' is a 1941 American drama film based on the novel ''Miss Bishop'' by Bess Streeter Aldrich. It was directed by Tay Garnett and stars Martha Scott in the title role. The other cast members include William Gargan, Edmund ...
'' (1941), ''
Another Part of the Forest
''Another Part of the Forest'' is a 1946 play by Lillian Hellman, a prequel to her 1939 drama '' The Little Foxes''.
Plot synopsis
Set in the fictional town of Bowden, Alabama, in June 1880, the plot focuses on the wealthy, ruthless, and innate ...
'' (1948) and ''
The Wild One
''The Wild One'' is a 1953 American crime film directed by László Benedek and produced by Stanley Kramer. The picture is most noted for the character of Johnny Strabler, portrayed by Marlon Brando, whose persona became a cultural icon of the 1 ...
'' (1953).
Mohr served as president of the
American Society of Cinematographers
The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), founded in Hollywood in 1919, is a cultural, educational, and professional organization that is neither a labor union nor a guild. The society was organized to advance the science and art of cinem ...
from 1930 to 1931. Then, for two terms from 1963 to 1965 and finally from 1969 to 1970. He was one of the first members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and a senior member of the Academy's Board of Directors. He headed the Academy's Cinematography Branch for over 20 years, and was also a part of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Before his death, he would travel the country promoting cameramen and the industry of cinematography.
For his many contributions to motion pictures and the film industry, Hal Mohr received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 6433 Hollywood Blvd.
Personal life
On December 7, 1934, Mohr married actress
Evelyn Venable
Evelyn Venable (October 18, 1913 – November 15, 1993) was an American actress perhaps best known for her role as Grazia in the 1934 film '' Death Takes a Holiday''. In addition to acting in around two dozen films during the 1930s and 1940s ...
, whom he met on the set of the Will Rogers film ''David Harum''. Strict vegetarians, they had two daughters, Dolores and Rosalia, and the couple remained married until his death in 1974.
Awards and nominations
* American Academy Awards (Oscars), 1936, Best Cinematography – '' A Midsummer Night's Dream'' (1935)
* American Academy Awards (Oscars), 1944, Best Cinematography – ''
The Phantom of the Opera
''The Phantom of the Opera'' (french: Le Fantôme de l'Opéra) is a novel by French author Gaston Leroux. It was first published as a serial in from 23 September 1909 to 8 January 1910, and was released in volume form in late March 1910 by Pier ...
'' (1943)
Partial filmography
* ''
Bag and Baggage
''Bag and Baggage'' is a 1923 American silent comedy film directed by Finis Fox and starring Gloria Grey, John Roche and Carmelita Geraghty.Munden p.36
Cast
* Gloria Grey as Hope Anthony
* John Roche as Hal Tracy
* Carmelita Geraghty as ...
'' (1923)
* ''
Vanity's Price
''Vanity's Price'' is a lost 1924 American silent drama film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Anna Q. Nilsson. It was produced by the Gothic Productions company and released by FBO.The Monster'' (1925)
* ''
Little Annie Rooney
''Little Annie Rooney'' is a comic strip about a young orphaned girl who traveled about with her dog, Zero.
King Features Syndicate launched the strip on January 10, 1927, not long after it was apparent that the Chicago Tribune Syndicate had ...
Sparrows
Sparrow may refer to:
Birds
* Old World sparrows, family Passeridae
* New World sparrows, family Passerellidae
* two species in the Passerine family Estrildidae:
** Java sparrow
** Timor sparrow
* Hedge sparrow, also known as the dunnock or hed ...
'' (1926)
* ''
The High Hand
''The High Hand'' is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by Leo D. Maloney and starring Maloney, Josephine Hill and Paul Hurst.
Cast
* Leo D. Maloney as Sandy Sands
* Josephine Hill as Edith Oaks
* Paul Hurst as Chris Doble
* Murdo ...
'' (1926)
* ''
Bitter Apples
''Bitter Apples'' is a 1927 American silent drama film directed by Harry O. Hoyt and starring Monte Blue, Myrna Loy, and Paul Ellis.
Cast
* Monte Blue as John Wyncote
* Myrna Loy as Belinda White
* Paul Ellis as Stefani Blanco
* Charles H ...
'' (1927)
* ''
Old San Francisco
''Old San Francisco'' is a 1927 American silent historical drama film starring Dolores Costello and featuring Warner Oland. The film, which was produced and distributed by Warner Bros., was directed by Alan Crosland.
Plot
Chris Buckwell, cruel ...
'' (1927)
* ''
The Jazz Singer
''The Jazz Singer'' is a 1927 American musical drama film directed by Alan Crosland. It is the first feature-length motion picture with both synchronized recorded music score as well as lip-synchronous singing and speech (in several isolate ...
'' (1927)
* ''
The Girl from Chicago
''The Girl from Chicago'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code drama film produced and directed by Oscar Micheaux, with an all-African-American cast including lead actors Grace Smith and Carl Mahon. The story concerns a federal agent who falls in love ...
Broadway
Broadway may refer to:
Theatre
* Broadway Theatre (disambiguation)
* Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
** Broadway (Manhattan), the street
**Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...
'' (1929)
* ''
The Last Performance
''The Last Performance'' is a 1929 American film directed by Paul Fejos and starring Conrad Veidt and Mary Philbin. The film was made in two version: a silent version and Movietone version complete with music, talking sequences, and sound effe ...
The Czar of Broadway
''The Czar of Broadway'' is a 1930 American pre-Code crime film produced and distributed by Universal Pictures, directed by William James Craft and starring John Wray, Betty Compson, John Harron and Claud Allister.
Synopsis
A young reporter ...
Outward Bound
Outward Bound (OB) is an international network of outdoor education organizations that was founded in the United Kingdom by Lawrence Holt and Kurt Hahn in 1941. Today there are organizations, called schools, in over 35 countries which are att ...
Devotion
Devotion or Devotions may refer to:
Religion
* Faith, confidence or trust in a person, thing, or concept
* Anglican devotions, private prayers and practices used by Anglican Christians
* Buddhist devotion, commitment to religious observance
* Cat ...
I Loved You Wednesday
''I Loved You Wednesday'' is a 1933 American pre-Code comedy drama film directed by Henry King and William Cameron Menzies and written by Philip Klein and Horace Jackson, adapted from the 1932 play of the same title by Molly Ricardel and Wil ...
'' (1933)
* ''
State Fair
A state fair is an annual competitive and recreational gathering of a U.S. state's population, usually held in late summer or early fall. It is a larger version of a county fair, often including only exhibits or competitors that have won in th ...
'' (1933)
* ''
David Harum
''David Harum; A Story of American Life'' is a best-selling novel of 1898 by Edward Noyes Westcott, whose principal legacy is the colloquial use of the term ''horse trading''.
Literary significance and criticism
Written by retired Syracuse, N ...
Under Pressure
"Under Pressure" is a song by the British rock band Queen and singer David Bowie. Originally released as a single in October 1981, it was later included on Queen's 1982 album ''Hot Space''. The song reached number one on the UK Singles Chart, ...
Bullets or Ballots
''Bullets or Ballots'' is a 1936 American gangster film starring Edward G. Robinson, Joan Blondell, Barton MacLane, and Humphrey Bogart. Robinson plays a police detective who infiltrates a crime gang. This is the first of several films featuri ...
'' (1936)
* ''
When Love Is Young
''When Love Is Young'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by Hal Mohr and starring Virginia Bruce, Kent Taylor, Walter Brennan, Greta Meyer, Christian Rub and William Tannen. Written by Joseph Fields and Eve Greene, it is based on the 1935 s ...
'' (1937)
* ''
The Green Pastures
''The Green Pastures'' is a play written in 1930 by Marc Connelly adapted from ''Ol' Man Adam an' His Chillun'' (1928), a collection of stories written by Roark Bradford. The play was the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1930. It had th ...
'' (1937)
* ''
Destry Rides Again
''Destry Rides Again'' is a 1939 American Western comedy film directed by George Marshall and starring Marlene Dietrich and James Stewart. The supporting cast includes Mischa Auer, Charles Winninger, Brian Donlevy, Allen Jenkins, Irene Hervey ...
Cheers for Miss Bishop
''Cheers for Miss Bishop'' is a 1941 American drama film based on the novel ''Miss Bishop'' by Bess Streeter Aldrich. It was directed by Tay Garnett and stars Martha Scott in the title role. The other cast members include William Gargan, Edmund ...
Phantom of the Opera
''The Phantom of the Opera'' (french: Le Fantôme de l'Opéra) is a novel by French author Gaston Leroux. It was first published as a serial in from 23 September 1909 to 8 January 1910, and was released in volume form in late March 1910 by Pierr ...
'' (1943)
* ''
Ladies Courageous
''Ladies Courageous'' (also called ''Fury in the Sky'' in a 1950 Realart re-release) is a 1944 war film based on the novel ''Looking For Trouble'' (1941) by Virginia Spencer Cowles. Directed by John Rawlins, the film stars Loretta Young and Gera ...
'' (1944)
* ''
San Diego, I Love You
''San Diego, I Love You'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by Reginald Le Borg and starring Jon Hall, Louise Allbritton and Edward Everett Horton.McLaughlin p.249
Synopsis
Philip McCooley, a widowed high school teacher in small-town Cali ...
The Lost Moment
''The Lost Moment'' is a 1947 melodramatic psychological thriller film with elements of horror directed by Martin Gabel and starring Robert Cummings, Susan Hayward and Agnes Moorehead.
The film was not well received at the time but its reputati ...
(1947)''
* ''
An Act of Murder
''An Act of Murder'' (also known as ''Live Today for Tomorrow'' and ''I Stand Accused'') is a 1948 American film noir directed by Michael Gordon and starring Fredric March, Edmond O'Brien, Florence Eldridge, and Geraldine Brooks. It was ent ...
'' (1948)
* ''
Woman on the Run
''Woman on the Run'' is a 1950 American crime film noir directed by Norman Foster and starring Ann Sheridan and Dennis O'Keefe. The film was based on the April 1948 short story "Man on the Run" by Sylvia Tate and filmed on location in San Franc ...
The Wild One
''The Wild One'' is a 1953 American crime film directed by László Benedek and produced by Stanley Kramer. The picture is most noted for the character of Johnny Strabler, portrayed by Marlon Brando, whose persona became a cultural icon of the 1 ...
The Last Voyage
''The Last Voyage'' is a 1960 Metrocolor American disaster film written and directed by Andrew L. Stone. It stars Robert Stack, Dorothy Malone, George Sanders, and Edmond O'Brien, and features Tammy Marihugh.
The film centers on the sinking of ...
The Man from the Diners' Club
''The Man from the Diners' Club'' is a 1963 comedy film starring Danny Kaye and directed by Frank Tashlin. It was made by Ampersand and Dena Productions and released by Columbia Pictures.
Plot
Foots Pulardos is a mobster who intends to flee to ...
'' (1963)
* ''
The Bamboo Saucer
''The Bamboo Saucer'' is a independently made 1968 Cold War science fiction film drama about competing American and Russian teams that discover a flying saucer in Communist China. The film was re-released in 1969 under the title ''Collision C ...
# Petrie, Graham. "Paul Fejos in America." ''Film Quarterly'' (ARCHIVE), vol. 32, no. 2, 1979., pp. 28–37
# "Hal Mohr, 'Jazz Singer' Cameraman." ''The Washington Post'', 1974.
# "Hal Mohr, 79; Filmed First Talking Movie." ''Boston Globe'', 1974.
# "A.S.C. MOURNS HAL MOHR." ''American Cinematographer'', vol. 55, no. 6, 1974., pp. 680,
# Koszarski, Richard. "HAL MOHR'S CINEMATOGRAPHY." ''Film Comment'', vol. 10, no. 5, 1974., pp. 48–53,
# Hal MOHR
# "CAMERAMAN SAYS STAR IS SUPERB." ''The Washington Post'', 1928.
# Streible, Dan. "Hal Mohr." ''American National Biography''. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2016. http://www.anb.org/articles/18/18-02410.html
External links
*
See also
*
List of presidents of American Society of Cinematographers The president of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) is elected by its governing board. The ASC was organized on December 21, 1918, and elected its first president, Phil Rosen, the following day. Presidents of the ASC serve one-year terms ...
*
List of stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
The following list includes the names, locations, and categories of all the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The categories are motion pictures, television, recording, radio, and live performance. The list does not include a star's name until ...