Karl Brown (December 26, 1896 – March 25, 1990) was an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

cinematographer, screenwriter, and film director. He was also a member 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 ...

and served as vice president from 1924 to 1925.

Career

Brown's first entertainment-related job, while still in his teens, was working at a development lab for the U.S. branch of the Kinemacolor Film Company in Los Angeles. Brown was 17 when renowned film director D.W. Griffith and his crew came to take over the Kinemacolor Film Company in 1913. Brown got in touch with camera man

G.W. Bitzer Gottfried Wilhelm Bitzer (April 21, 1872 – April 29, 1944) was an American cinematographer, notable for his close association and pioneering work with D. W. Griffith. Biography Prior to his career as a cameraman, working as a motion picture pro ...

and soon after became his assistant. Brown assisted Bitzer during the filming of ''

The Birth of a Nation ''The Birth of a Nation'', originally called ''The Clansman'', is a 1915 American silent epic drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Lillian Gish. The screenplay is adapted from Thomas Dixon Jr.'s 1905 novel and play ''The Cla ...

'' (1915) and ''

Intolerance Intolerance may refer to: * Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity (also called hypersensitivity reaction or intolerance) refers to undesirable reactions produced by the normal immune system, including allergies and autoimmunity. They are usual ...

'' (1916). His duties consisted of loading the camera with film, carrying the camera, and operating a second camera during the Ride of the Clan and the Fall of Babylon scenes. After the collapse of Kinemacolor, he worked as a still photographer on '' The Spoilers'' (1914), having become enamored with Griffith's work, especially ''

The Battle at Elderbush Gulch ''The Battle at Elderbush Gulch'' (also known as ''The Battle of Elderbush Gulch'') is a 1913 American silent film, silent Western (genre), Western film directed by D. W. Griffith and featuring Mae Marsh, Lillian Gish, and Alfred Paget. Plot S ...

'' (1913), The most successful film Brown worked on as cinematographer was the

James Cruze James Cruze (born James Cruze Bosen; March 27, 1884 – August 3, 1942) was a silent film actor and film director. Early years Cruze's middle name came from the battle of Vera Cruz. He was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day ...

film ''

The Covered Wagon ''The Covered Wagon'' is a 1923 American silent film, silent Western (genre), Western film released by Paramount Pictures. The film was directed by James Cruze based on a 1922 novel of the same name by Emerson Hough about a group of pioneers tr ...

'' (1923). Brown's first directorial effort, ''

Stark Love ''Stark Love'' (1927) is a feature film directed by Karl Brown and released by Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation, now known as Paramount Pictures. The film is a maverick production in both design and concept, is a beautifully photographed m ...

'' (1927), is today considered a rural cinematic masterpiece. Brown was cinematographer on Wallace Reid's last film, '' Thirty Days'' (1922). In the 1970s, Brown was one of the Hollywood pioneers interviewed by

Kevin Brownlow Kevin Brownlow (born Robert Kevin Brownlow; 2 June 1938) is a British film historian, television documentary-maker, filmmaker, author, and film editor. He is best known for his work documenting the history of the silent era, having become inter ...

for Brownlow's television series ''

Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywood, ...

'' (1980). In the series, Brown talked at length about Reid's addiction and death.

Personal life

Brown was the son of comedian and character actor William H. Brown. His mother, who styled herself Lucille Browne professionally, served as a chaperone and guardian to actresses at the Fine Arts Studio and made some film appearances. He was married to

Edna Mae Cooper Edna Mae Cooper (July 19, 1900 – June 27, 1986) was an American actress of the silent era. She appeared in 79 films between 1911 and 1927. Early life On July 19, 1900, Cooper was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Career Cooper is known f ...

from 1922 until her death in 1986.

Partial filmography

*'' Stage Struck'' (1917) *''

Her Official Fathers ''Her Official Fathers'' is a 1917 American silent film that was co-directed by Elmer Clifton and Joseph Henabery. It was produced as a starring vehicle for Dorothy Gish, and she may have directed some parts of the film. ''Her Official Fathers'' ...

'' (1917) *''

Gasoline Gus ''Gasoline Gus'' is a 1921 American comedy film directed by James Cruze and starring Fatty Arbuckle. Prints of ''Gasoline Gus'' held at the Gosfilmofond archive in Russia and Cinematheque Belgique. Cast * Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle as Gasoline Gu ...

'' (1921) *''

Crazy to Marry ''Crazy to Marry'' is a 1921 American silent comedy film directed by James Cruze and starring Fatty Arbuckle. Prints are held by Cinematheque Royale de Belgique, Brussels and Gosfilmofond, Russian State Archive, Moscow. Synopsis Dr. Hobart H ...

'' (1921) *'' Is Matrimony a Failure?'' (1922) *'' The Dictator'' (1922) *'' Thirty Days'' (1922) *''

'' (1923) *''

To the Ladies ''To the Ladies'' is a 1923 American silent comedy film produced by Famous Players-Lasky and released by Paramount Pictures. It is based on a 1922 Broadway play, ''To the Ladies'', by George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly. The film was directed b ...

'' (1923) *''

Leap Year A leap year (also known as an intercalary year or bissextile year) is a calendar year that contains an additional day (or, in the case of a lunisolar calendar, a month) added to keep the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical year or s ...

'' (1924) *'' The Fighting Coward'' (1924) *''

The Enemy Sex ''The Enemy Sex'' is a 1924 American silent drama film starring Betty Compson and directed by her husband James Cruze. It was produced by Famous Players-Lasky and released by Paramount Pictures. It is taken from the 1914 novel ''The Salamande ...

'' (1924) *'' Merton of the Movies'' (1924) *'' Welcome Home'' (1925) *''

The Pony Express The Pony Express was an American express mail service that used relays of horse-mounted riders. It operated from April 3, 1860, to October 26, 1861, between Missouri and California. It was operated by the Central Overland California and Pike ...

'' (1925) *''

Beggar on Horseback ''Beggar on Horseback'' is a 1924 play by George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly. The play is a parody of the expressionistic parables that were popular at the time; its title derives from the proverb "Set a beggar on horseback, and he'll ride at a g ...

'' (1925) *''

Mannequin A mannequin (also called a dummy, lay figure, or dress form) is a doll, often articulated, used by artists, tailors, dressmakers, window dressers and others, especially to display or fit clothing and show off different fabrics and textiles. Pr ...

'' (1926) *''

'' (1927) (as director) *'' The Mississippi Gambler'' (1929) *'' Prince of Diamonds'' (1930) *''

Flames A flame (from Latin ''flamma'') is the visible, gaseous part of a fire. It is caused by a highly exothermic chemical reaction taking place in a thin zone. When flames are hot enough to have ionized gaseous components of sufficient density they ...

'' (1932) *''

Federal Bullets ''Federal Bullets'' is a 1937 American crime film written and directed by Karl Brown. It is based on the 1937 novel ''Federal Bullets'' by George Fielding Eliot. The film stars Milburn Stone, Zeffie Tilbury, Terry Walker, William Harrigan, Hel ...

'' (1937) *''

Under the Big Top ''Under the Big Top'' is a 1938 American film directed by Karl Brown. Plot A trapeze artist girl in a circus is persistently demanded by her aunt to be the best in the business. She falls in love with one of the men in her trapeze act, but he ...

'' (1938) (as director) *''

Numbered Woman ''Numbered Woman'' is a 1938 American drama film. Directed by Karl Brown, the film stars Sally Blane, Lloyd Hughes, Mayo Methot, and Clay Clement. It was released on May 22, 1938. Its working title during production was ''Private Nurse''. Cas ...

'' (1938) (as director) *''

The Man They Could Not Hang ''The Man They Could Not Hang'' is a 1939 American horror film directed by Nick Grinde from a screenplay by Karl Brown. It stars Boris Karloff as Dr. Henryk Savaard,Stephen Jacobs, ''Boris Karloff: More Than a Monster'', Tomahawk Press 2011 pp. ...

'' (1939) (screenplay)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Brown, Karl 1896 births 1990 deaths American cinematographers American male screenwriters Screenwriters from Pennsylvania Film directors from Pennsylvania People from McKeesport, Pennsylvania 20th-century American male writers 20th-century American screenwriters