John Alton
CameraAbout John Alton
John Alton A.S.C. (October 5, 1901 – June 2, 1996), born Johann Altmann, in Sopron/Ödenburg, Kingdom of Hungary, Austria-Hungary, was an American cinematographer. Alton won an Academy Award for the cinematography of An American in Paris (1951), becoming the first Hungarian-born person to do so. He photographed some of the most famous film noirs of the classic period. He started out in Los Angeles as a lab technician in the 1920s, later becoming a cameraman within four years. He moved to France with Ernst Lubitsch to film backgrounds for The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg (1927) and ended up staying for one year heading the camera department of Paramount Pictures's Joinville Studios. In 1932 he moved to Argentina where he shot many Spanish-language films and designed the country's first sound film studio for Lumiton and Argentina Sono Film. He returned to Hollywood in the late 1930s, with two dozen film credits, and became one of the most sought after cinematographers in American cinema. Alton was known for unconventional camera angles—especially low camera shots. His style is most notable in the film noirs: He Walked by Night, The Big Combo, The Amazing Mr. X, T-Men, and Raw Deal. Alton also photographed many color movies including Slightly Scarlet (a color film noir).
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of John Alton reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 5 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Documentary
The majority of John Alton's filmography leans towards the Documentary genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 60% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), John Alton remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Film Noir: Bringing Darkness to Light, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best John Alton Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from John Alton's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of John Alton.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 'S Wonderful: Creating An American in Paris | Self (archival footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2007 | Mystery Street: Murder at Harvard | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 2006 | Film Noir: Bringing Darkness to Light | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | Glorious Technicolor | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Dark and Deadly: Fifty Years of Film Noir | Self | Flop | Similar → |
John Alton - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of John Alton?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John Alton is "Film Noir: Bringing Darkness to Light" with a rating of 7.1/10.
How many movies has John Alton acted in?
John Alton has been featured in at least 5 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by John Alton?
Other notable films include "Glorious Technicolor", "'S Wonderful: Creating An American in Paris", and "Dark and Deadly: Fifty Years of Film Noir".