George Barnes (cinematographer)

George Barnes (cinematographer) was a renowned American cinematographer who worked with prominent directors such as Alfred Hitchcock, Rebecca, and Jane Eyre. Barnes' career spanned over three decades, during which he collaborated with notable actors like Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, and Orson Welles. He was a member of the American Society of Cinematographers and worked on numerous films, including Spellbound, The Emperor Waltz, and Samson and Delilah. Barnes' work was also influenced by his experience working with Cecil B. DeMille, Billy Wilder, and William Wyler.

● Early life and education

George Barnes was born in New York City in 1892 and developed an interest in photography at a young age. He began his career as a newsreel cameraman, working for companies like Pathé News and Fox Newsreel. Barnes later moved to Hollywood to pursue a career in filmmaking, where he attended workshops and seminars conducted by the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles. He was also influenced by the work of other cinematographers, such as Charles Rosher and Karl Struss, who were known for their work on films like Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans and The Great Dictator.

● Career

Barnes' career as a cinematographer began in the 1920s, during which he worked on numerous silent films, including The Ten Commandments and The King of Kings. He collaborated with directors like Cecil B. DeMille and Ernst Lubitsch on films such as The Sign of the Cross and The Merry Widow. Barnes also worked with actors like Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, and James Cagney on films like Anna Karenina, Shanghai Express, and The Public Enemy. His work on Rebecca earned him an Academy Award for Best Cinematography nomination, and he went on to work on other notable films like Jane Eyre, Spellbound, and The Emperor Waltz.

● Filmography

Some of George Barnes' notable films include The Ten Commandments, The King of Kings, The Sign of the Cross, The Merry Widow, Rebecca, Jane Eyre, Spellbound, The Emperor Waltz, and Samson and Delilah. He also worked on films like The Great Dictator, His Girl Friday, and The Heiress, which were directed by Charlie Chaplin, Howard Hawks, and William Wyler. Barnes' filmography also includes collaborations with actors like Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Cary Grant on films like Casablanca, Gaslight, and Notorious.

● Awards and nominations

George Barnes was nominated for several Academy Awards for Best Cinematography throughout his career, including nominations for his work on Rebecca, Jane Eyre, and Spellbound. He won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work on Samson and Delilah, which was directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starred Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr. Barnes was also recognized by the American Society of Cinematographers for his contributions to the field of cinematography, and he worked with other notable cinematographers like Gregg Toland and James Wong Howe.

● Personal life

George Barnes was married to Joan Blondell, an American actress who appeared in films like Gold Diggers of 1933 and Topper. He was also friends with other notable figures in the film industry, including Darryl F. Zanuck, David O. Selznick, and Louis B. Mayer. Barnes was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the American Society of Cinematographers, and he participated in various industry events, including the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival. He passed away in 1953 in Los Angeles, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most renowned cinematographers in the history of American cinema, with influences from Fritz Lang, Billy Wilder, and Orson Welles. Category:Cinematographers