Arthur Jacob Ornitz, ASC (November 28, 1916 – July 10, 1985) was an American cinematographer and filmmaker, known best for his work on New York-based productions. He worked with such directors as William Friedkin, Sidney Lumet, John Cassavetes, Paul Mazursky, and Shirley Clarke.
Early life and education Ornitz was born in New York City, the son of Sadie (née Lesser) and screenwriter Samuel Ornitz, a Hollywood Ten blacklistee. He had a brother, Don, who was a photographer. Ornitz studied film at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Career Ornitz made his directing debut with short film Wanted – A Master (1936), which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Short Subject (One-Reel). He was a documentary cameraman for Joris Ivens and Floyd Crosby during the latter part of the decade. During World War II, he served in the US Army Signal Corps, under a unit commanded by Frank Capra.
During the 1950s, Ornitz lived in Denmark and worked with Danish filmmaker couple Astrid and Bjarne Henning-Jensen. His first American feature film was The Goddess (1958), directed by John Cromwell. During the decade, he also shot and directed various commercials.
Among other films, he shot The Connection (1961), A Thousand Clowns (1965), Charly (1968), The Boys in the Band (1970), The Anderson Tapes, Minnie and Moskowitz (both 1971), Serpico (1973), Death Wish (1974), Next Stop, Greenwich Village (1976), An Unmarried Woman (1978), and Hanky Panky (1982).
Victor J. Kemper cited him as a mentor.
Death Ornitz died of cancer at his home in Manhattan on July 10, 1985. He was survived by his mother, his wife and a son. Ornitz's son, Kim H. Ornitz, is a sound mixer.
Filmography
Film
Feature films YearTitleDirectorNotes1950North Sea BoysAstrid Henning-JensenBjarne Henning-Jensen1951Kranes konditoriAstrid Henning-JensenUkjent mann1952Vi arme syndereErik BallingOle Palsbo1958The GoddessJohn Cromwell1959Kiss Her GoodbyeAlbert Lipton1960The PusherGene Milford1961The ConnectionShirley ClarkeTeenage MillionaireLawrence DohenyThe Young DoctorsPhil Karlson1962JacktownWilliam MartinRequiem for a HeavyweightRalph Nelson1963Act OneDore Schary1964The World of Henry OrientGeorge Roy Hill1965The Colonial Naturalist — Mark CatesbyCharles S. DubinA Thousand ClownsFred Coe1967A Midsummer Night's DreamGeorge BalanchineDan EriksenThe Tiger Makes OutArthur Hiller1968CharlyRalph Nelson1969Me, NatalieFred CoeChange of MindRobert Stevens1970The Boys in the BandWilliam FriedkinHouse of Dark ShadowsDan CurtisSoldier BlueRalph NelsonReplaced by Robert B. Hauser1971The Anderson TapesSidney LumetMinnie and MoskowitzJohn Cassavetes1972The Possession of Joel DelaneyWaris Hussein1973Black SnakeRuss MeyerSerpicoSidney LumetBadge 373Howard W. Koch1974Death WishMichael WinnerLaw and DisorderIvan PasserForever Young, Forever FreeAshley Lazarus1976Next Stop, Greenwich VillagePaul Mazursky1977ThievesJohn Berry1978An Unmarried WomanPaul MazurskyOliver's StoryJohn Korty1981The ChosenJeremy KaganTattooBob Brooks1982Hanky PankySidney Poitier
Short films YearTitleDirectorNotes1936Wanted – A MasterHimselfCo-director with Gunther von Fritsch1940Power and the LandJoris IvensDocuementary short1949I gode henderHimself1960The Computer Comes to MarketingMaurice Rapf1961The ShoesErnest PintoffAfter HoursShepard TraubeDocuementary short
Television
TV series YearTitleNotes1955OmnibusEpisode: "Uncle Tom's Cabin"1957-58Harbourmaster2 episodes1958DecisionEpisode: "Man Against Crime"1964East Side West SideEpisode: "It's War, Man"1970NET PlayhouseEpisode: "Helen Hayes Remembers"
TV films, miniseries, and specials YearTitle1956Bulletin from BertieOut of Darkness1964Carol for Another Christmas1973Honor Thy Father1977The QuinnsWilma 1979Mayflower: The Pilgrims' Adventure1980Hardhat and LegsPlaying for Time1982The Royal Romance of Charles and Diana1983Jacobo Timerman: Prisoner Without a Name, Cell Without a NumberFirst Affair
References
External links