James Wong Howe

James Wong Howe
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Name	James Wong Howe
Birth date	August 28, 1899
Birth place	Guangzhou, China
Death date	July 12, 1976
Death place	Hollywood, California, United States
Occupation	Cinematographer

James Wong Howe was a renowned cinematographer who worked on numerous Hollywood films, including The Thin Man series, Yankee Doodle Dandy, and Body and Soul. Born in Guangzhou, China, Howe moved to Washington with his family at a young age and developed an interest in photography while attending Pasadena High School in California. He began his career in the film industry as a camera assistant for Cecil B. DeMille and Allan Dwan, working on films such as The Little American and The Big Parade. Howe's work was influenced by D.W. Griffith, Ernst Lubitsch, and F.W. Murnau, among others.

● Early Life and Education

Howe's early life was marked by his family's move to America, where he attended Pasadena High School and developed an interest in photography. He was influenced by the works of Ansel Adams and Edward Steichen, and began taking photography classes at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. Howe's education was also shaped by his experiences working with Cecil B. DeMille and Allan Dwan on films such as The Ten Commandments and Robin Hood. He also worked with other notable cinematographers, including Charles Rosher and Karl Struss, on films such as Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans and The Patent Leather Kid.

● Career

Howe's career as a cinematographer spanned over four decades, during which he worked on numerous films, including The Thin Man series, Yankee Doodle Dandy, and Body and Soul. He collaborated with notable directors such as W.S. Van Dyke, Michael Curtiz, and Robert Rossen, on films such as San Francisco, The Adventures of Robin Hood, and All the King's Men. Howe's work was also influenced by his experiences working with actors such as William Powell, Myrna Loy, and James Cagney, on films such as The Thin Man and White Heat. He was a member of the American Society of Cinematographers and worked with other notable cinematographers, including Gregg Toland and John F. Seitz, on films such as Citizen Kane and Double Indemnity.

● Filmography

Howe's filmography includes a wide range of films, such as The Thin Man series, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Body and Soul, and Picnic. He worked on films with notable studios such as MGM Studios, Warner Bros., and Paramount Pictures, and collaborated with directors such as W.S. Van Dyke, Michael Curtiz, and Robert Rossen. Some of his notable films include The Prisoner of Shark Island, The Story of Louis Pasteur, and The Old Maid. Howe's work was also featured in films such as The Roaring Twenties, The Strawberry Blonde, and Hollywood Canteen.

● Awards and Legacy

Howe won numerous awards for his work, including two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography for his work on The Rose Tattoo and Hud. He was also nominated for several other Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography, Black-and-White for his work on The Old Maid and Best Cinematography, Color for his work on The Adventures of Robin Hood. Howe's legacy extends beyond his own work, as he influenced a generation of cinematographers, including Conrad Hall and Gordon Willis, who worked on films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Godfather. He was also recognized by the American Society of Cinematographers with a Lifetime Achievement Award and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

● Personal Life

Howe's personal life was marked by his marriage to Sanora Babb, a novelist and screenwriter who worked on films such as The Plainsman and Spartacus. He was also friends with notable Hollywood figures, including Cecil B. DeMille, Allan Dwan, and William Powell, and was a member of the Hollywood Democratic Committee. Howe's interests extended beyond film, as he was an avid photographer and traveler, and visited places such as China, Japan, and Europe. He passed away on July 12, 1976, in Hollywood, California, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most renowned cinematographers in Hollywood history. Category:American cinematographers