Why James Wong Howe Is One of Hollywood's Greatest Cinematographers | Film 101

This May on TCM, we’re celebrating the work of groundbreaking cinematographer James Wong Howe. In this episode of Film 101, we explore how his techniques transformed cinema, the personal and professional obstacles he had to overcome, and why his work on films such as ‘He Ran All the Way’ (1951), ‘Picnic’ (1955), ‘Sweet Smell of Success’ (1957), and ‘Hud’ (1963) are celebrated to this day.
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Written by Raquel Stecher & Tom Reimann
Narrated by Tom Reimann
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[@gonzostick]

Howe's cinematography, working with John Frankenheimer, in "SECONDS" adds to the freaky visuals of that masterpiece!

[@Memo2Self]

It's kind of amazing that a celebratory essay like this only features one still frame from "Seconds," as Howe's extraordinary, startling, uncharacteristic work on this film could stand to have an entire essay on its own. No rights to footage from the film?

[@Pancrasio-it9qd]

😎

[@1northsparrow246]

"Hud" needs to be back in theaters ASAP.

[@azimisyauqieabdulwahab9401]

Celebrate 60th years of Hud

[@uniworkhorse]

fr fr

[@brandothecatmeow]

It's in my top 20 movies of all time.

[@michaelodonnell1444]

Met Mr. Howe when he was doing "The Molly Maguire's ". A very peaceful man. Have a pix of him outside a famous steel car Diner in my hometown of Jim Thorpe, PA. I was just a wayward youth at the time but cherish the time.

[@jillkjv3816]

His exceptional cinematic work on Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) with Jimmy Cagney should never be forgotten.

[@azohundred1353]

It's amazing how well James Wong Howe could shoot the claustrophobic, bright light filled landscape of New York City but could also shoot the stark, barren landscape of Texas with equal talent. The landscapes are polar opposites but are shot so well, fitting the Anti-Hero Protagonists personalities perfectly, in Sweet Smell Of Success, Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis' characters of J.J. Hunsecker and Sidney Falco and in Hud, Paul Newman's character Hud Bannon. James Wong Howe's cinematography complimented these great films and made them even better because of his talent. He's one of the greatest of all time. I highly recommend you see Sweet Smell Of Success and Hud if you haven't, by the way. Two of my all-time favorite films.

[@charlestimberlake5522]

I lived for a few years in Amarillo, TX which is near the area in whcih "Hud" was shot, and I was amazed at how well the cinematogrpahy captured the feel of the beauty and somewhat emptiness of the Texas Panhandle. Also, black and white seemed a better idea than color would have been for the film.

[@AuntieMamie]

An icon. A legend. Thank you for the stellar memories.

[@azimisyauqieabdulwahab9401]

She's Chinese American

[@uniworkhorse]

@@charlestimberlake5522 I think I'm gonna have to visit the panhandle now that you've described it so poetically! It does look beautiful.

[@mr.meticulouslohese7584]

@charles driving through that region back in January 2007, coming from Tampa to Vegas. It was pretty freaking eerie dude. I was 19 my best friend and I. Thanks for sparking the memory of the only time I've been in that area. #8/28Babies S/O 2 my bday twin James Wong Howe 📽🫡

[@stephenhaynes149]

Great mini documentary. I see so much influence in modern cinematography from James' work - especially from Sweet Smell of Success

[@ConradSpoke]

I don't know of any film made before Sweet Smell of Success (1957) where city streets at night have a full dynamic range. Some of his shots look like modern high end digital.

[@Innertauts]

Despite all of the acclaim Howe has received on his work from the 1950’s and 60’s, he cut his teeth at Warners during the 40’s on films like Air Force and Objective Burma. His work personified the low key look of the studio’s output during that time. Later films he shot that are worth a mention include Hombre (1967) and The Molly Maguires (1970)

[@MothGirl007]

Noone is comparable today - one more reason that I prefer vintage films to those that are made today. I love James Wong Howe.

[@azimisyauqieabdulwahab9401]

A Asian American

[@dalehopson406]

Who is Noone?

[@larryparis925]

This was wonderful. I've seen many films that Mr. Howe worked on. Thank you Mr. Howe for your great work, and thank you TCM for making this.

[@azimisyauqieabdulwahab9401]

The Asian American Cinematographer

[@jaygatz4335]

Howe photographed Streisand in Funny Lady, his last film. He preferred to use careful lighting instead of filters.

[@chrisn7259]

Yes, and they ignored that film in this teaser. It is brilliantly photographed.

[@gregorypadilla5422]

There is on KZbin an interview where Howe explains to the young Barbra Streistrand how he wanted to shoot the film. Here is a $50,000 Panavision Lens and Camera. I will NOT use a $10 filter to shoot scenes, only lighting! Barbara to her everlasting credit got it. And Howe said he did NOT understand anything about Barbara being difficult to work with.

[@shinestar2912]

Huge influence on so many including Wexler that came after

[@azimisyauqieabdulwahab9401]

Owen Roizman (who died in this year), John Alton, William C Mellor, Russell Metty, John A Alonzo, Rudolph Mate

[@jeffgreenwell4426]

Thank you for sharing this fascinating look at one of the greatest cinematographers in film history. I particularly enjoyed his work on Hud.

[@hollyshippy7417]

The true travesty is that "Hud" has not received a Blu-ray release, let alone a 4K, in the USA. A DVD is available, but a full restoration is in order.

[@1northsparrow246]

"Hud" needs a re-release on perfectly restored film. The would greatly benefit film lovers and films students.

[@uniworkhorse]

for real like man....

[@brandothecatmeow]

JWH is one of my absolute favorite cinematographers. Hud is in my top 20 movies of all time.

[@Gunnar-Peterson]

Great video, I had not heard of James Wong Howe

[@gforceeatingcorrect]

Always LOVED his work …… an AMAZING man !!!!

[@davidhull1481]

Thanks. I’ve often wondered about this Chinese American filmmaker, his background and his story.

[@chrispaul7849]

what an awesome mini doc on a fascinating man I had never heard of, thank you!

[@Cali_Flowers]

Edited to hide this message, because in an important update to my original comment… TCM showed Royal Wedding recently and had it on demand ~ so nice!! Thank you so much, TCM. All forgiven and thank you for caring. I honestly 💛 TCM. You are the best! 💫 . . . . . . . . . It’s the first Coronation Day in the U.K. in 70 years and I don’t understand why TCM doesn’t have A Royal Wedding, The Prince and the Showgirl, or Roman Holiday on (or at least on demand). What a programming-fail. I always used to be able to count on TCM 😢

[@Cali_Flowers]

Hello, @TurnerClassicMovies! I just want to sincerely thank the nice person (or persons) at TCM, who maybe heard my cry and showed the film Royal Wedding recently! I really, really appreciate it ~ Thank you so much! You are the best! 💞💖✨🎬🍿

[@uniworkhorse]

I had to watch Hud for class this semester, and man, I'm happy to have found this video! I'll have to peep sweet smell of success, that noir look is so crispy! Also, damn it's funny how Technicolor banned the dude for not showing enough of their color LOL. Those low-key shots were sick tho. Curious where that happens with industry today, or if that even still happens.

[@elijahrose2144]

Magnificent 😍 was he

[@cocoaorange1]

A true trailblazer !

[@iwaisman]

Thanks

[@t-mar9275]

We almost lost of a lot great cinematography in 1931, when Howe narrowly escaped being blacklisted. At the time, Howe was living with a white woman, Daisy DeVoe, personal secretary to film star Clara Bow. DeVoe was charged with mismanaging Bow's finances, resulting in a highly publicized court case. Bow could have tarnished DeVoe's character and severely weakened her case by revealing the inter-racial relationship with Howe. Reportedly, Howe beseeched Bow not to reveal his relationship with DeVoe, lest it destroy his career. Bow had worked with Howe on a couple of films, so this may have influenced her decision not to reveal the relationship. Had she done so, the public outcry, would almost certainly have forced the studio to dismiss Howe and resulted in him being blacklisted.

[@marechal1937]

That's fascinating. What is your source? I'm guessing it was discussed in a Clara Bow biography.

[@t-mar9275]

@@marechal1937 Yes, the source is Clara Bow: Runnin' Wild, a 1988 biography written by David Stenn. He cites a January 18, 1931, NY Daily News article wherein, outside the courtroom, Bow alluded to DeVoe's friendship with a Chinese photographer. Later, in a May 31, 1931, Los Angeles Examiner article, Louella Parsons reported the affair, but withheld Howe's name and race.

[@marechal1937]

@@t-mar9275 Thanks for the reply. I'll look into Stenn's book.

[@racheledwards2352]

The man was a genius

[@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536]

Fake news.

[@VEGASWINGZ]

Please CLOSED CAPTIONING everything, not just movies.

[@Rubi-ll8ss]

What about Greg Toland as well as John Alton.

[@paulchapman3587]

It's the "House Un-American Activities Committee" not the "House Of...".

[@marechal1937]

My new video "James Wong Howe on Roller Skates" explores Wong Howe's innovation, especially in the shooting of the classic boxing drama Body and Soul (1947), starring John Garfield. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIKsmXuJqrtqrJY I also touch on Jimmie's contributions in my earlier video "John Garfield: A Brief Introduction."

[@blue04mx53]

It's good to hear one of the voices from the old "Cracked" channel ! Thank you for this interesting history.

[@linhco5041]

Can someone share the title of the film at :35

[@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536]

👍

[@Mycroft9]

Great information on these videos. But please cut down on the “humorous” asides.

[@CANADIANBANKSWASHINGTONS-bi9km]

Pai gown player's moneys covered aways of Bank U.S.ARMY and LAW'S

[@zyral.f.6938]

Shame how tcm yt continues to hate the hearing impaired after they ruined their cable channel.

[@CANADIANBANKSWASHINGTONS-bi9km]

Enemy's of American's

[@TheBlues088]

I might subscribe to TCM somehow. Saddly Im from Europe.

[@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536]

Where is Europe?