Cinematographer. For five decades one of Hollywood's finest cameramen. A master technician, he strove to give every film he shot an individual texture. He made a significant contribution to glamor photography with his original use of north light, which highlighted specific details of a scene while leaving the rest of the image dark; later he adapted a harsh, gritty look for crime dramas. Garmes won an Academy Award for "Shanghai Express" (1932) and received Oscar nominations for "Morocco" (1930), "Since You Went Away" (1944), and "The Big Fishermen" (1959). He also photographed much of "Gone With the Wind" (1939) without credit. His other films include "The Garden of Allah" (1927), "Dishonored" (1931), "Scarface" (1932), "The Jungle Book" (1943), "Duel in the Sun" (co-photography, 1946), "The Paradine Case" (1947), "Detective Story" (1951), "The Desperate Hours" (1955), and "A Big Hand for the Little Lady" (1966). Garmes was born in Peoria, Illinois, and got his start in films as a prop boy for producer Thomas Ince. After working on several short comedies as an assistant cameraman he was promoted to director of photography in 1924. During the 1930s he ventured into occasional producing and directing, often in collaboration with Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur (notably "The Scoundrel", 1935). Garmes' experiments with lighting greatly expanded the visual quality of American films and he helped devise the crab dolly, which allowed the camera to move freely about a set without being placed on tracks. For his final film, "Why" (1973), he was the first to shoot on videotape and then transfer the footage to 35mm. Garmes served as president of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) from 1960 to 1961. He was married to actress Ruth Hall from 1933 until his death.
Cinematographer. For five decades one of Hollywood's finest cameramen. A master technician, he strove to give every film he shot an individual texture. He made a significant contribution to glamor photography with his original use of north light, which highlighted specific details of a scene while leaving the rest of the image dark; later he adapted a harsh, gritty look for crime dramas. Garmes won an Academy Award for "Shanghai Express" (1932) and received Oscar nominations for "Morocco" (1930), "Since You Went Away" (1944), and "The Big Fishermen" (1959). He also photographed much of "Gone With the Wind" (1939) without credit. His other films include "The Garden of Allah" (1927), "Dishonored" (1931), "Scarface" (1932), "The Jungle Book" (1943), "Duel in the Sun" (co-photography, 1946), "The Paradine Case" (1947), "Detective Story" (1951), "The Desperate Hours" (1955), and "A Big Hand for the Little Lady" (1966). Garmes was born in Peoria, Illinois, and got his start in films as a prop boy for producer Thomas Ince. After working on several short comedies as an assistant cameraman he was promoted to director of photography in 1924. During the 1930s he ventured into occasional producing and directing, often in collaboration with Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur (notably "The Scoundrel", 1935). Garmes' experiments with lighting greatly expanded the visual quality of American films and he helped devise the crab dolly, which allowed the camera to move freely about a set without being placed on tracks. For his final film, "Why" (1973), he was the first to shoot on videotape and then transfer the footage to 35mm. Garmes served as president of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) from 1960 to 1961. He was married to actress Ruth Hall from 1933 until his death.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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