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Robert Kurrle

March 16, 2024

Robert Kurrle (February 2, 1890 – October 27, 1932), also known as Robert B. Kurrle, was an American cinematographer during the silent and early talking film eras. Prior to entering the film industry, he was already experimenting with aerial photography. Considered a very prominent cinematographer, even his early work received notice and praise from both critics and other industry professionals. The advent of sound film did not abate his continued rise, and he became the top director of photography at Warner Brothers by 1932.

Robert Kurrle
Kurrle in 1922
Born
Robert Bard Kurrle

(1890-02-02)February 2, 1890
Port Hueneme, California, United States
DiedOctober 27, 1932(1932-10-27) (aged 42)
Hollywood, California, United States
OccupationCinematographer
Years active1916–1932

He shot 70 films over the sixteen years of his career, working with such prominent directors as William Wellman, Raoul Walsh, Michael Curtiz, Archie Mayo, and William Dieterle. He was a member of the American Society of Cinematographers by 1921, and he was also one of the inaugural members of the International Photographers branch of I.A.T.S.E. (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees). In October 1932, at the height of his career, he suddenly fell ill after wrapping a film. Hospitalized, his condition quickly worsened and within a week he was dead of an infection to the brain.

Early life edit

 
Kurrle on the set in December 1916
 
Aerial photograph of Oakland, CA by Kurrle in 1913.

Born Robert Bard Kurrle in Port Hueneme, California on February 2, 1890, Kurrle had at least one sibling, Ernest W. Kurrle.[1] Prior to his entry into the film industry, Kurrle was already an innovative filmmaker. In 1909, flying in a Curtiss open cockpit bi-plane, he photographed the Panama Canal from the air.[2] In 1913, Kurrle would become the first photographer to take an aerial photograph of the city of Oakland, California. Describing the experience, Kurrle said "... we went along just as smoothly as if we were riding on velvet".[3]

Film career edit

Metro years and freelancing edit

Kurrle's first foray into the film industry was on the 1916 film, Her Great Price, directed by Edwin Carewe.[4] He later collaborated with Carewe on a number of pictures during the 1920s. He began his career working for Metro Pictures, where he stayed at until 1921. Metro was one of the film companies which merged in 1924 to form Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The quality of Kurrle's work was noticed even early in his career. His filming of 1919's Lion's Den was called "spectacular".[5] Kurrle's work the following year on The Right of Way was described by some as "... remarkable even in this day of almost perfect cinematography."[6] By 1921, Kurrle was already a member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC).[7] Early that year, he followed Carewe and left Metro to become a freelance cinematographer. Fifteen of the twenty-four films Kurrle worked on during 1921-27 were directed by Carewe. In 1922, while filming a Carewe picture, I Am the Law, Kurrle successfully tested a new high-speed film from Eastman. The new film allowed interior filming with less lighting, reducing both equipment and staffing costs.[8]

 
Kurlle (left) on location in the Sahara, 1924
 
Robert Kurrle (left) and his assistant, Al Green on location in the Sahara during filming of 1924's A Son of the Sahara

Over the course of his career, Kurlle received numerous positive criticism and attention from other industry members and publications. He was highlighted in American Cinematographer on many occasions, the first time being in the 1922 edition, where he was called a "valued member" of the ASC.[9] When he was selected to man the camera for fellow ASC member Phil Rosen's film, Abraham Lincoln, a prominent industry magazine stated that Kurlle's career had been "brilliant" up to that point.[10] In July 1924, after Kurrle's return from north Africa where he shot A Son of the Sahara, American Cinematographer called him "... a master of his profession."[11]

For 1926's Wings of the Storm, Kurrle's exterior shots in Mt. Rainier National Park received positive comments from industry trade papers.[12] In 1927 Kurrle was lauded for his camerawork on the film adaptation of Tolstoy's Resurrection, which was directed by his long-term collaborator Carrewe.[13][14] The following year, in the first ever American Cinematographer poll of the top Hollywood directors, Kurrle was selected as one of the top 10 cinematographers in the industry.[15] That same year, 1928, his camera work on Sadie Thompson, was lauded as "... beautifully done, and the settings are completely in the mood of the story".[16]

Universal and Warner Brothers edit

 
Kurlle (behind the camera), and director Edwin Carewe (seated in front of the camera), filming a dusk scene in 1929's Evangeline

By 1928 Kurrle was being called a "camera ace", a reference not only to his skill behind the camera, but also to the fact that he was one of the few people in Hollywood to own their own plane.[17] In 1928 he worked exclusively with Universal Pictures, before returning to freelance the following year.[18][19] In mid-1930, Kurrle signed a contract with Warner Brothers. Over the next two years he rose to become their top cinematographer.[20] During his sixteen-year career, he worked with such notable directors as John Ince, William Wellman, Raoul Walsh, Michael Curtiz, Archie Mayo, and William Dieterle (who directed the final film Kurrle photographed). In 1928 Kurrle was one of the inaugural members of the International Photographers branch of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E.).[1]

Even when the film was given less than stellar press, Kurrle's work was often praised, as in the case of the 1929 film Her Majesty, Love, where it was noted, "The story is negligible, the cast, though capable, has nothing to do, and the direction is heavy handed and slow. But Robert Kurrle's cinematography is outstanding."[21] That same year, his camerawork on another Carewe film, an adaptation of Longfellow's Evangeline, was deemed as "beautiful" by The Film Daily.[22] The magazine also rated his photography as "excellent" for Merian Cooper's version of the classic tale, The Four Feathers.[23] There were times when his work only garnered average reviews in some papers, such as 1930's Hit the Deck,[24] while still gaining praise in others.[25]

Kurrle was behind the camera for Lloyd Bacon's 1930 version of Moby Dick, for which his work received high praise, being called "... one of the three outstanding elements of the entire work."[26] In 1931, his work on Resurrection was described as "... brilliant and sweeping". During 1932, Kurrle was the director of photography on ten feature films which were released that year. In September and October 1932, he worked on back to back films. The first was The Match King, featuring Warren William and Lili Damita, followed by Lawyer Man, starring William Powell and Joan Blondell.[27][28] Lawyer Man was his final film.

Death edit

 
Kurlle in 1932

Following the completion of his work on Lawyer Man, he went to the hospital for treatment of a persistent cold. This developed into a sinus infection, which further worsened into an infection in his brain. He remained in the hospital for over a week, fighting the infection, but eventually died from it. His death at the age of 42 on October 27, 1932, shocked the film industry.[29] Later it was reported that the infection was meningitis.[1] The last two films he worked on were released posthumously. Upon his death, American Cinematographer said, "The Motion Picture Industry lost one of its greatest cinematographers and finest gentlemen ..."[30]

His memorial service was held at The Little Church of the Flowers in Glendale, California,[1] after which he was interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, also in Glendale.

Filmography edit

(Per AFI database)[18][19]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "Sudden Death of Bob Kurrle Shocks Legion of Friends in Film Industry". International Photographer. November 1932. p. 29.
  2. ^ "A Little From "Lots"". The Film Daily. September 25, 1929. p. 11.
  3. ^ "Aviator Takes Air View of City, Oakland Snapped at Dizzy Height". Oakland Tribune. March 6, 1913. p. 13. Retrieved October 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ . American Film Institute. Archived from the original on November 11, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  5. ^ "'Lion's Den Mekes Splendid Vehicle for Bert Lytell". Moving Picture World. May 17, 1919. p. 1062.
  6. ^ "'Right of Way' Gilbert Parker's Famous Novel". The Ogden Standard-Examiner. May 3, 1920. p. 12. Retrieved October 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  7. ^ "Society Members". American Cinematographer. 1921. p. 15.
  8. ^ "Try Out "Super Speed" Stock". The Film Daily. March 22, 1922. p. 2.
  9. ^ "Robert Kurlle". American Cinematographer. February 1, 1922. p. 36.
  10. ^ "Rosen and Kurrle on Lincoln Picture". American Cinematographer. April 1923. p. 23.
  11. ^ "Twelve Aces in Cinematographic Profession, Wizards in the Art of the Camera and Lens". American Cinematographer. July 1924. p. 13.
  12. ^ "Wings of the Storm". The Film Daily. November 28, 1926. p. 13.
  13. ^ "In Camerafornia". American Cinematographer. April 1927. p. 6.
  14. ^ "Resurrection". The Film Daily. April 10, 1927. p. 6.
  15. ^ "Ten Best Cinematographers". American Cinematographer. August 1928. p. 39.
  16. ^ "At the Theatres: At the Pelican". The Evening Herald. December 2, 1929. p. 12. Retrieved October 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  17. ^ Wilk, Ralph (April 20, 1928). "A Little From "Lots"". The Film Daily. p. 7.
  18. ^ a b "Robert Kurrle". American Film Institute. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  19. ^ a b "Robert B. Kurrle". American Film Institute. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  20. ^ "News From the Dailies". Variety. November 1, 1931. p. 36.
  21. ^ Stull, William (January 1932). "Concerning Cinematography: Her Majesty, Love". American Cinematographer. p. 22.
  22. ^ "Evangeline". The Film Daily. August 4, 1929. p. 8.
  23. ^ "The Four Feathers". The Film Daily. June 16, 1929. p. 8.
  24. ^ "Hit The Deck". The Film Daily. January 19, 1930. p. 10.
  25. ^ "Movie Sidelights". The Brownsville Herald. April 17, 1930. p. 16. Retrieved October 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  26. ^ "Review-ettes". International Photographer. September 1930. p. 27.
  27. ^ . American Film Institute. Archived from the original on November 11, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  28. ^ . American Film Institute. Archived from the original on November 11, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  29. ^ "Rare Brain Germ Kills Cameraman After Week". Variety. November 1, 1932. p. 47.
  30. ^ "Robert B. Kurrle Mourned". American Cinematographer. November 1932. p. 39.

March 16, 2024
robert, kurrle, february, 1890, october, 1932, also, known, robert, kurrle, american, cinematographer, during, silent, early, talking, film, eras, prior, entering, film, industry, already, experimenting, with, aerial, photography, considered, very, prominent, . Robert Kurrle February 2 1890 October 27 1932 also known as Robert B Kurrle was an American cinematographer during the silent and early talking film eras Prior to entering the film industry he was already experimenting with aerial photography Considered a very prominent cinematographer even his early work received notice and praise from both critics and other industry professionals The advent of sound film did not abate his continued rise and he became the top director of photography at Warner Brothers by 1932 Robert KurrleKurrle in 1922BornRobert Bard Kurrle 1890 02 02 February 2 1890Port Hueneme California United StatesDiedOctober 27 1932 1932 10 27 aged 42 Hollywood California United StatesOccupationCinematographerYears active1916 1932He shot 70 films over the sixteen years of his career working with such prominent directors as William Wellman Raoul Walsh Michael Curtiz Archie Mayo and William Dieterle He was a member of the American Society of Cinematographers by 1921 and he was also one of the inaugural members of the International Photographers branch of I A T S E International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees In October 1932 at the height of his career he suddenly fell ill after wrapping a film Hospitalized his condition quickly worsened and within a week he was dead of an infection to the brain Contents 1 Early life 2 Film career 2 1 Metro years and freelancing 2 2 Universal and Warner Brothers 3 Death 4 Filmography 5 ReferencesEarly life edit nbsp Kurrle on the set in December 1916 nbsp Aerial photograph of Oakland CA by Kurrle in 1913 Born Robert Bard Kurrle in Port Hueneme California on February 2 1890 Kurrle had at least one sibling Ernest W Kurrle 1 Prior to his entry into the film industry Kurrle was already an innovative filmmaker In 1909 flying in a Curtiss open cockpit bi plane he photographed the Panama Canal from the air 2 In 1913 Kurrle would become the first photographer to take an aerial photograph of the city of Oakland California Describing the experience Kurrle said we went along just as smoothly as if we were riding on velvet 3 Film career editMetro years and freelancing edit Kurrle s first foray into the film industry was on the 1916 film Her Great Price directed by Edwin Carewe 4 He later collaborated with Carewe on a number of pictures during the 1920s He began his career working for Metro Pictures where he stayed at until 1921 Metro was one of the film companies which merged in 1924 to form Metro Goldwyn Mayer The quality of Kurrle s work was noticed even early in his career His filming of 1919 s Lion s Den was called spectacular 5 Kurrle s work the following year on The Right of Way was described by some as remarkable even in this day of almost perfect cinematography 6 By 1921 Kurrle was already a member of the American Society of Cinematographers ASC 7 Early that year he followed Carewe and left Metro to become a freelance cinematographer Fifteen of the twenty four films Kurrle worked on during 1921 27 were directed by Carewe In 1922 while filming a Carewe picture I Am the Law Kurrle successfully tested a new high speed film from Eastman The new film allowed interior filming with less lighting reducing both equipment and staffing costs 8 nbsp Kurlle left on location in the Sahara 1924 nbsp Robert Kurrle left and his assistant Al Green on location in the Sahara during filming of 1924 s A Son of the SaharaOver the course of his career Kurlle received numerous positive criticism and attention from other industry members and publications He was highlighted in American Cinematographer on many occasions the first time being in the 1922 edition where he was called a valued member of the ASC 9 When he was selected to man the camera for fellow ASC member Phil Rosen s film Abraham Lincoln a prominent industry magazine stated that Kurlle s career had been brilliant up to that point 10 In July 1924 after Kurrle s return from north Africa where he shot A Son of the Sahara American Cinematographer called him a master of his profession 11 For 1926 s Wings of the Storm Kurrle s exterior shots in Mt Rainier National Park received positive comments from industry trade papers 12 In 1927 Kurrle was lauded for his camerawork on the film adaptation of Tolstoy s Resurrection which was directed by his long term collaborator Carrewe 13 14 The following year in the first ever American Cinematographer poll of the top Hollywood directors Kurrle was selected as one of the top 10 cinematographers in the industry 15 That same year 1928 his camera work on Sadie Thompson was lauded as beautifully done and the settings are completely in the mood of the story 16 Universal and Warner Brothers edit nbsp Kurlle behind the camera and director Edwin Carewe seated in front of the camera filming a dusk scene in 1929 s EvangelineBy 1928 Kurrle was being called a camera ace a reference not only to his skill behind the camera but also to the fact that he was one of the few people in Hollywood to own their own plane 17 In 1928 he worked exclusively with Universal Pictures before returning to freelance the following year 18 19 In mid 1930 Kurrle signed a contract with Warner Brothers Over the next two years he rose to become their top cinematographer 20 During his sixteen year career he worked with such notable directors as John Ince William Wellman Raoul Walsh Michael Curtiz Archie Mayo and William Dieterle who directed the final film Kurrle photographed In 1928 Kurrle was one of the inaugural members of the International Photographers branch of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees I A T S E 1 Even when the film was given less than stellar press Kurrle s work was often praised as in the case of the 1929 film Her Majesty Love where it was noted The story is negligible the cast though capable has nothing to do and the direction is heavy handed and slow But Robert Kurrle s cinematography is outstanding 21 That same year his camerawork on another Carewe film an adaptation of Longfellow s Evangeline was deemed as beautiful by The Film Daily 22 The magazine also rated his photography as excellent for Merian Cooper s version of the classic tale The Four Feathers 23 There were times when his work only garnered average reviews in some papers such as 1930 s Hit the Deck 24 while still gaining praise in others 25 Kurrle was behind the camera for Lloyd Bacon s 1930 version of Moby Dick for which his work received high praise being called one of the three outstanding elements of the entire work 26 In 1931 his work on Resurrection was described as brilliant and sweeping During 1932 Kurrle was the director of photography on ten feature films which were released that year In September and October 1932 he worked on back to back films The first was The Match King featuring Warren William and Lili Damita followed by Lawyer Man starring William Powell and Joan Blondell 27 28 Lawyer Man was his final film Death edit nbsp Kurlle in 1932Following the completion of his work on Lawyer Man he went to the hospital for treatment of a persistent cold This developed into a sinus infection which further worsened into an infection in his brain He remained in the hospital for over a week fighting the infection but eventually died from it His death at the age of 42 on October 27 1932 shocked the film industry 29 Later it was reported that the infection was meningitis 1 The last two films he worked on were released posthumously Upon his death American Cinematographer said The Motion Picture Industry lost one of its greatest cinematographers and finest gentlemen 30 His memorial service was held at The Little Church of the Flowers in Glendale California 1 after which he was interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Park also in Glendale Filmography edit Per AFI database 18 19 Her Great Price 1916 Boston Blackie s Little Pal 1918 Hitting the High Spots 1918 No Man s Land 1918 The Trail to Yesterday 1918 Unexpected Places 1918 Easy to Make Money 1919 Faith 1919 Blind Man s Eyes 1919 Blackie s Redemption 1919 The Lion s Den 1919 Lombardi Ltd 1919 One Thing at a Time O Day 1919 The Spender 1919 Isobel or the Trail s End 1920 The Right of Way 1920 Rio Grande 1920 Habit 1921 Her Mad Bargain 1921 The Invisible Fear 1921 The Lure of Youth 1921 Playthings of Destiny 1921 I Am the Law 1922 A Question of Honor 1922 Silver Wings 1922 All the Brothers Were Valiant 1923 Abraham Lincoln 1924 Madonna of the Streets 1924 A Son of the Sahara 1924 Joanna 1925 The Lady Who Lied 1925 The Red Rider 1925 Sackcloth and Scarlet 1925 Why Women Love 1925 High Steppers 1926 Pals First 1926 Wings of the Storm 1926 Breakfast at Sunrise 1927 Resurrection 1927 The Stolen Bride 1927 The Tender Hour 1927 Ramona 1928 Revenge 1928 Sadie Thompson 1928 Evangeline 1929 The Four Feathers 1929 Rio Rita 1929 Dancing Sweeties 1930 The Furies 1930 Hit the Deck 1930 Maybe It s Love 1930 Moby Dick 1930 River s End 1930 God s Gift to Women 1931 Her Majesty Love 1931 Illicit 1931 Resurrection 1931 The Road to Singapore 1931 Smart Money 1931 The Crooked Circle 1932 Crooner 1932 The Expert 1932 High Pressure 1932 Jewel Robbery 1932 Lawyer Man 1933 The Match King 1932 One Way Passage 1932 The Strange Love of Molly Louvain 1932 Winner Take All 1932 References edit a b c d Sudden Death of Bob Kurrle Shocks Legion of Friends in Film Industry International Photographer November 1932 p 29 A Little From Lots The Film Daily September 25 1929 p 11 Aviator Takes Air View of City Oakland Snapped at Dizzy Height Oakland Tribune March 6 1913 p 13 Retrieved October 12 2015 via Newspapers com nbsp Her Great Price Detail View American Film Institute Archived from the original on November 11 2014 Retrieved November 11 2014 Lion s Den Mekes Splendid Vehicle for Bert Lytell Moving Picture World May 17 1919 p 1062 Right of Way Gilbert Parker s Famous Novel The Ogden Standard Examiner May 3 1920 p 12 Retrieved October 12 2015 via Newspapers com nbsp Society Members American Cinematographer 1921 p 15 Try Out Super Speed Stock The Film Daily March 22 1922 p 2 Robert Kurlle American Cinematographer February 1 1922 p 36 Rosen and Kurrle on Lincoln Picture American Cinematographer April 1923 p 23 Twelve Aces in Cinematographic Profession Wizards in the Art of the Camera and Lens American Cinematographer July 1924 p 13 Wings of the Storm The Film Daily November 28 1926 p 13 In Camerafornia American Cinematographer April 1927 p 6 Resurrection The Film Daily April 10 1927 p 6 Ten Best Cinematographers American Cinematographer August 1928 p 39 At the Theatres At the Pelican The Evening Herald December 2 1929 p 12 Retrieved October 12 2015 via Newspapers com nbsp Wilk Ralph April 20 1928 A Little From Lots The Film Daily p 7 a b Robert Kurrle American Film Institute Retrieved November 11 2014 a b Robert B Kurrle American Film Institute Retrieved November 11 2014 News From the Dailies Variety November 1 1931 p 36 Stull William January 1932 Concerning Cinematography Her Majesty Love American Cinematographer p 22 Evangeline The Film Daily August 4 1929 p 8 The Four Feathers The Film Daily June 16 1929 p 8 Hit The Deck The Film Daily January 19 1930 p 10 Movie Sidelights The Brownsville Herald April 17 1930 p 16 Retrieved October 12 2015 via Newspapers com nbsp Review ettes International Photographer September 1930 p 27 The Match King Detail View American Film Institute Archived from the original on November 11 2014 Retrieved November 11 2014 Lawyer Man Detail View American Film Institute Archived from the original on November 11 2014 Retrieved November 11 2014 Rare Brain Germ Kills Cameraman After Week Variety November 1 1932 p 47 Robert B Kurrle Mourned American Cinematographer November 1932 p 39 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Robert Kurrle amp oldid 1208989904, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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