Victor Milner(1893-1972)
- Cinematographer
- Actor
- Camera and Electrical Department
Pioneering cinematographer Victor Milner acquired his fascination with
the celluloid media during the days of the nickelodeon. After working
as a lab assistant for a film equipment manufacturer, he joined Pathe
Weekly News in the capacity of projectionist and newsreel cameraman.
Among other events, he filmed the U.S. occupation of Vera Cruz during
the conflict with Mexico in 1914. After moving to California in 1916,
Milner was hired by the Balboa Amusement Producing Company (founded in
Long Island in 1913), notably working on several westerns starring
William S. Hart. He subsequently spent
time under contract with Metro, Universal, Paramount (the bulk of his
career: 1925-1944) and RKO (1945). A versatile craftsman and a master
at creating moods (in his own words, 'painting with light'), he was
equally adept at shooting unsentimental black & white films noir
(The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946)),
or sprawling, romantic Technicolor adventure
(Reap the Wild Wind (1942)).
He often worked on the films of legendary director
Cecil B. DeMille, winning his only
Academy Award (from nine nominations) for the epic
Cleopatra (1934).
Milner retired in 1953. He was one of the founding members of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC).
Milner retired in 1953. He was one of the founding members of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC).