Harold Rosson

Harold Rosson was an influential American cinematographer whose career spanned the silent era through the Golden Age of Hollywood. Renowned for his mastery of Technicolor and evocative black-and-white photography, he collaborated with legendary directors like Victor Fleming and John Huston. His work on films such as The Wizard of Oz and The Asphalt Jungle earned him multiple Academy Award nominations and left a lasting mark on cinematic visual style.

Early life and education

Born in New York City, he was part of a prominent cinematic family; his brothers Arthur Rosson and Richard Rosson were both successful film directors. He entered the film industry at a young age, initially working as an actor and assistant at the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company in Fort Lee, New Jersey. This early apprenticeship provided a foundational education in the technical and artistic aspects of filmmaking during the industry's formative years, long before formal cinematography schools were common.

Career

Rosson's career as a director of photography began in earnest during the silent film era, where he honed his craft on numerous productions. His breakthrough into major studio work came with the advent of sound, and he became a sought-after cinematographer at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. He is perhaps best known for his vibrant Technicolor photography on Victor Fleming's classic The Wizard of Oz, creating the iconic look of Munchkinland and the Emerald City. His versatility was further demonstrated in stark, dramatic black-and-white films like John Huston's The Asphalt Jungle and the Fred Zinnemann-directed western Oklahoma Crude. Other notable credits include the musical Brigadoon, the adventure film The Red Badge of Courage, and the film noir On the Town. His final film was the Stanley Kramer production On the Beach.

Personal life

Rosson's personal life was closely intertwined with the Hollywood community. He was married briefly to two actresses: first to screen legend Jean Harlow from 1933 until their divorce in 1934, and subsequently to Virginia Grey from 1935 to 1936. He was a well-respected figure among his peers in the American Society of Cinematographers. After retiring from active filmmaking, he lived in Palm Beach, Florida, where he passed away in 1988.

Filmography

A selected filmography highlighting his diverse body of work includes: * The Wizard of Oz (1939) * Johnny Eager (1941) * Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944) * The Asphalt Jungle (1950) * The Red Badge of Courage (1951) * Singin' in the Rain (1952) – additional photography * Brigadoon (1954) * On the Beach (1959)

Awards and nominations

Rosson received five Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography throughout his career. These were for The Wizard of Oz (1939), Boom Town (1940), Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944), The Asphalt Jungle (1950), and Oklahoma Crude (1973). Although he did not win an Oscar, his nominations underscore the consistent high quality and innovation of his work across different genres and decades.

Category:American cinematographers Category:1895 births Category:1988 deaths