Haskin, Byron
Entry updated 11 November 2024. Tagged: Film, TV, People.
(1899-1984) US cinematographer, special effects creator and director, in the American army during World War One. His film career began in 1919 when he became an assistant cameraman for Louis J Selznick. He directed four films in 1927, but later worked mostly as a cinematographer; he supervised the special-effects department for Warner Bros 1936-1947. In 1947 he began directing again with I Walk Alone, a Hal Wallis production. In 1952 he formed a creative partnership with producer George Pal, directing several films for him. The first of these was War of the Worlds (1953); it was followed by The Naked Jungle (1954), Conquest of Space (1955) and The Power (1968), the latter codirected with Pal. Other sf movies directed by Haskin were From the Earth to the Moon (1958) and Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964). He also directed many Television episodes, including several in The Outer Limits. Haskin's background in special effects was reflected in his films, which distinguishes them from many other sf movies of the 1950s. His work as a director was likeable – as in the Walt Disney Company's Treasure Island (1950) – but uninspired: War of the Worlds derives impact from its spectacle, but most of his other sf films are merely competent. Probably his most interesting and personal film, on which he had a fair degree of control, was Robinson Crusoe on Mars. He retired in 1967. [JB]
Byron Conrad Haskin
born Portland, Oregon: 22 April 1899
died Montecito, California: 16 April 1984
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