Arthur Martinelli
| Arthur Martinelli | |
|---|---|
| Born |
April 29, 1881 Italy |
| Died | September 7, 1967 (aged 86) Hollywood, California, United States |
| Occupation | Cinematographer |
| Years active | 1916—48 |
Arthur Martinelli (April 29, 1881 — September 7, 1967) was an American cinematographer whose career spanned from the silent era through the golden age of American movies. During that time he shot over 100 films. A pioneer in the industry, he was the cinematographer to film the first movie to star Ethel and John Barrymore.
Martinelli was thought to be one of the first film cameramen in the United States. In 1915 he was employed by International Pictures, and he moved to Metro Pictures Corp., the forerunner of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1916. In the 1910s some of his notable films include: The White Raven, starring Ethel Barrymore (1917); 1918's Kildare of Storm, starring Broadway actress Emily Stevens; the Emmy Wehlen vehicle, A Favor to a Friend (1919); and Henry Otto's 1919 comedy, Fair and Warmer. In 1921 he was asked for his opinion about the role of a director in films:
A capable director is a most vital necessity to the motion picture cameraman and the star. There have been many instances were a cameraman has worked hard and obtained good photography, but due to poor direction, the picture was a failure.
In the remaining years of the silent era, some of the more notable films which Martinelli shot include: Polly with a Past (1920), starring Ina Claire who was reprising her stage role;Alias Ladyfingers (1921), directed by Bayard Veiller;Ella Cinders (1926), based on the popular comic strip and starring Colleen Moore; and 1926's The Greater Glory, starring Conway Tearle and Boris Karloff.
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