Connection
Elgin Lessley is a Actor, Director of Photography, Editor and Cinematography American born on 10 january 1883 at Higbee (USA)
Elgin Lessley (also credited as Lesly, Lessly, and Leslie) (June 10, 1883 - January 10, 1944) was an American hand-crank cameraman of the silent film era—a period of filmmaking when virtually all special effects work had to be produced inside the camera during filming. Though Lessley worked earlier with Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, and later with Harry Langdon, he is best known for the groundbreaking effects he produced with Buster Keaton, who dubbed him "the human metronome" for his ability to crank consistently at any requested speed.
Lessley's most striking effects were in The Playhouse (1921) and Sherlock, Jr. (1924). In The Playhouse, through use of a specially shuttered lens and repeated back-cranking and re-cranking, Lessley allowed Keaton to appear as up to nine characters simultaneously, interacting with one another. In Sherlock, Jr., Lessley's careful positioning of camera and actor in various locations produced the effect of a man stuck in a movie where his location keeps changing as he struggles to keep up. Lessley retired from filmmaking after shooting The Cameraman with Buster Keaton in 1928.
En 1911, à l'âge de 28 ans, Elgin devient cadreur à la Méliès Star Company, la branche américaine de la Star Film de Georges Méliès dirrigée par Gaston Méliès, son frère. À cette occasion, en 1912, il accompagne ce dernier à travers l'Asie pour filmer des reportages.
En 1913, il entre comme cadreur à The Keystone Film Company dirrigée par Mack Sennett. Le métier de directeur de la photographie n'est pas à l'époque clairement défini et se confond avec celui de cadreur et n'est que rarement crédité. C'est à la Keystone qu'il rencontre Roscoe Arbuckle et Mabel Normand avec lesquels il collabore souvent jusqu'à leur départ. Il reste alors à la Triangle Film Corporation qui a absorbé la Keystone mais continue de travailler avec Roscoe Arbuckle à la Comique Film Corporation que ce dernier vient de créer. C'est là qu'il rencontre naturellement Buster Keaton et poursuit sa carrière à ses côtés lorsqu'il transforme la Comique en Buster Keaton Comedies et devient son cadreur attitré. En 1925, il travaille avec les débutants Frank Capra et Harry Langdon.
En 1928, après un dernier film avec Buster Keaton, Le Cameraman, il cesse son activité pour s'occuper de sa femme malade. Elgin Lessley décède le 8 février 1944 d'une crise cardiaque à l'âge de 61 ans.
Source : Wikidata
Elgin Lessley
- Infos
- Photos
- Best films
- Family
- Characters
- Awards
Nationality USA
Birth 10 january 1883 at Higbee (USA)
Death 8 february 1944 (at 61 years) at Los Angeles (USA)
Birth 10 january 1883 at Higbee (USA)
Death 8 february 1944 (at 61 years) at Los Angeles (USA)
Lessley's most striking effects were in The Playhouse (1921) and Sherlock, Jr. (1924). In The Playhouse, through use of a specially shuttered lens and repeated back-cranking and re-cranking, Lessley allowed Keaton to appear as up to nine characters simultaneously, interacting with one another. In Sherlock, Jr., Lessley's careful positioning of camera and actor in various locations produced the effect of a man stuck in a movie where his location keeps changing as he struggles to keep up. Lessley retired from filmmaking after shooting The Cameraman with Buster Keaton in 1928.
Biography
Né dans le Missouri, Elgin Lessley s'installe avec sa famille dans le Colorado où il débute comme magasinier dans le magasin familial.En 1911, à l'âge de 28 ans, Elgin devient cadreur à la Méliès Star Company, la branche américaine de la Star Film de Georges Méliès dirrigée par Gaston Méliès, son frère. À cette occasion, en 1912, il accompagne ce dernier à travers l'Asie pour filmer des reportages.
En 1913, il entre comme cadreur à The Keystone Film Company dirrigée par Mack Sennett. Le métier de directeur de la photographie n'est pas à l'époque clairement défini et se confond avec celui de cadreur et n'est que rarement crédité. C'est à la Keystone qu'il rencontre Roscoe Arbuckle et Mabel Normand avec lesquels il collabore souvent jusqu'à leur départ. Il reste alors à la Triangle Film Corporation qui a absorbé la Keystone mais continue de travailler avec Roscoe Arbuckle à la Comique Film Corporation que ce dernier vient de créer. C'est là qu'il rencontre naturellement Buster Keaton et poursuit sa carrière à ses côtés lorsqu'il transforme la Comique en Buster Keaton Comedies et devient son cadreur attitré. En 1925, il travaille avec les débutants Frank Capra et Harry Langdon.
En 1928, après un dernier film avec Buster Keaton, Le Cameraman, il cesse son activité pour s'occuper de sa femme malade. Elgin Lessley décède le 8 février 1944 d'une crise cardiaque à l'âge de 61 ans.
Usually with
Filmography of Elgin Lessley (33 films)
Actor
Add to a movie list
The General (1926)
, 1h34Directed by Buster Keaton, Clyde Bruckman
Origin USA
Genres Drama, War, Comedy, Action, Adventure, Historical, Romance, Western
Themes Transport films, Rail transport films, Political films, Road movies, Chase films
Actors Buster Keaton, Marion Mack, Boris Karloff, Glen Cavender, Joe Keaton, Frederick Vroom
Roles Union General Who Gives Command to Cross Bridge (uncredited)
Rating80%
Western & Atlantic Railroad train engineer Johnnie Gray (Keaton) is in Marietta, Georgia to see one of the two loves of his life, his fiancee Annabelle Lee (Marion Mack)—the other being his locomotive, The General—when the American Civil War breaks out. He hurries to be first in line to sign up with the Confederate Army, but is rejected because he is too valuable in his present job; unfortunately, Johnnie is not told this reason and is forcibly ejected from the office when he tries to enlist surreptitiously. On leaving, he runs into Annabelle's father and brother, who beckon to him to join them in line, but he sadly walks away, giving them the impression that he does not want to enlist. Annabelle coldly informs Johnnie that she will not speak to him again until he is in uniform.
Cameraman
The Cameraman (1928)
, 1h15Directed by Buster Keaton, Edward Sedgwick
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Comedy-drama, Romantic comedy, Romance
Actors Buster Keaton, Marceline Day, Harold Goodwin, Sidney Bracey, Harry Gribbon, Edward Brophy
Roles Director of Photography
Rating79%
Buster (Buster Keaton), a sidewalk tintype portrait photographer in New York City, develops a crush on Sally (Marceline Day), a secretary who works for MGM Newsreels. To be near her, he purchases an old film camera, emptying his bank account, and attempts to get a job as one of MGM's filmers. Harold (Harold Goodwin), an MGM cameraman who has designs on Sally himself, mocks his ambition.
Long Pants (1927)
, 1hDirected by Frank Capra
Origin USA
Genres Comedy
Actors Harry Langdon, Gladys Brockwell, Alan Roscoe, Ann Christy, Priscilla Bonner, Natalie Kingston
Roles Director of Photography
Rating62%
The silent tells the story of Harry Shelby (Langdon) who has been kept in knee-pants for years by his mother. One day, however, Harry finally gets his first pair of long pants.
The Strong Man (1926)
, 1h15Directed by Frank Capra
Origin USA
Genres Comedy, Romance
Actors Harry Langdon, Priscilla Bonner, Gertrude Astor, William V. Mong, Robert McKim, Arthur Thalasso
Roles Director of Photography
Rating65%
Paul Bergot (Harry Langdon) is a Belgian immigrant to the United States who has fallen in love with Mary Brown (Priscilla Bonner), a blind woman. They met as pen-pals when he was fighting in Europe during World War I. Mary even sent Paul a photo of her.
Seven Chances (1925)
, 1h12Directed by Buster Keaton
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Romantic comedy, Romance
Themes Théâtre, Films based on plays
Actors Buster Keaton, Ruth Dwyer, Snitz Edwards, T. Roy Barnes, Jean Arthur, Frances Raymond
Roles Director of Photography
Rating77%
Jimmy Shannon (Buster Keaton) is the junior partner in the brokerage firm of Meekin and Shannon, which is on the brink of financial ruin. A lawyer (whom they dodged, mistakenly believing he was trying to add to their woes) finally manages to inform Jimmy of the terms of his grandfather's will. He will inherit seven million dollars if he is married by 7:00 p.m. on his 27th birthday, which happens to be that same day.
Go West (1925)
, 1h9Directed by Buster Keaton
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Western
Actors Buster Keaton, Roscoe Arbuckle, Joe Keaton, Gus Leonard, Babe London
Roles Director of Photography
Rating70%
A drifter identified only as "Friendless" (Keaton) sells the last of his possessions, keeping only a few trinkets and a picture of his mother. Unable to find a job in the city, he goes west and manages to get a job at a cattle ranch despite having no experience. Meanwhile, a neglected cow named Brown Eyes fails to give milk and is sent out to the field along with the other cattle.
The Navigator (1924)
, 59minutesDirected by Buster Keaton, Donald Crisp
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Action, Adventure, Romance
Themes Seafaring films, Transport films
Actors Buster Keaton, Kathryn McGuire, Frederick Vroom, Clarence Burton, Donald Crisp, Noble Johnson
Roles Director of Photography
Rating74%
Wealthy Rollo Treadway (Buster Keaton) suddenly decides to propose to his neighbor across the street, Betsy O'Brien (Kathryn McGuire), and sends his servant to book passage for a honeymoon sea cruise to Honolulu. When Betsy rejects his sudden offer however, he decides to go on the trip anyway, boarding without delay that night. Because the pier number is partially covered, he ends up on the wrong ship, the Navigator, which Betsy's rich father (Frederick Vroom) has just sold to a small country at war.
Sherlock Jr. (1924)
, 45minutesDirected by Buster Keaton, Roscoe Arbuckle, Clyde Bruckman
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Science fiction, Comedy, Fantasy, Action
Themes Transport films, Sherlock Holmes films, Road movies, Chase films
Actors Buster Keaton, Kathryn McGuire, Joe Keaton, Ward Crane, George Davis, Doris Deane
Roles Director of Photography
Rating81%
A movie theater projectionist and janitor (Buster Keaton) is in love with a beautiful girl (Kathryn McGuire). However, he has a rival, the "local sheik" (Ward Crane). Neither has much money. The projectionist buys a $1 box of chocolates, all he can afford, and changes the price to $4 before giving it and a ring to her. The sheik steals and pawns the girl's father's pocket watch for $4. With the money, he buys a $3 box of chocolates for the girl. When the father notices his watch is missing, the sheik slips the pawn ticket into the projectionist's pocket unnoticed. The projectionist, studying to be a detective, offers to solve the crime, but when the pawn ticket is found, is banished from the girl's home.
Our Hospitality (1923)
, 1h14Directed by Buster Keaton, John G. Blystone
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Romantic comedy, Romance, Western
Themes Transport films, Rail transport films
Actors Buster Keaton, Joe Roberts, Francis X. Bushman, Jr., Monte Collins, Joe Keaton, Natalie Talmadge
Roles Director of Photography
Rating77%
The Canfield and McKay families have been feuding for so long, no one remembers the reason the feud started in the first place. One stormy night in 1810, after family patriarch John McKay falls victim to the feud, his wife decides her son Willie (the infant Buster Keaton Jr.) will not suffer the same fate. She moves to New York to live with her sister, who after the mother's death raises him without telling him of the feud.
Three Ages (1923)
, 1h3Directed by Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Comedy, Romantic comedy
Themes Mafia films, La préhistoire, Gangster films
Actors Buster Keaton, Margaret Leahy, Wallace Beery, Joe Roberts, Lillian Lawrence, Lionel Belmore
Roles Director of Photography
Rating69%
Three plots in three different historical periods—prehistoric times, ancient Rome, and modern times (the Roaring Twenties)—are intercut to prove the point that men's love for woman have not significantly changed throughout history. In all three plots, characters played by Buster Keaton and Wallace Beery compete for the attention of the same woman, played by Margaret Leahy. Each plot follows similar "arcs" in the story line in which Keaton's character works for his beloved's attention and eventually wins her over.
Cops (1922)
, 18minutesDirected by Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton
Origin USA
Genres Comedy, Adventure
Actors Buster Keaton, Virginia Fox, Joe Roberts, Edward F. Cline
Roles Director of Photography
Rating75%
Paraissant sous les barreaux, Buster (alias Frigo pour les copies françaises d'époque) est en fait séparé de sa dulcinée par le portail en fer de sa résidence, symbole du fossé social qui empêche leur union. Elle demande ainsi à son soupirant de réussir d'abord dans les affaires. Après avoir subtilisé un portefeuille fourni, il est la victime d'un escroc opportuniste qui lui vend un stock de meubles sur le trottoir, en fait pour cause de déménagement. Le prenant pour un ouvrier déménageur, la famille l'aide à charger sa charrette. Parti dans les rues de la ville, son attelage se révèle peu fiable et le cheval n'avance pas. Il se retrouve bientôt au beau milieu d'un défilé de policiers. Un terroriste envoie une bombe sur le défilé, mais à côté de Buster, qui en profite alors pour allumer sa cigarette avec la mèche enflammée, puis se débarrasse de la bombe en la jetant sur le côté. Pris pour le terroriste, les policiers se mettent à le poursuivre.
The High Sign (1921)
, 21minutesDirected by Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton
Origin USA
Genres Comedy, Crime
Actors Buster Keaton, Bartine Burkett, Al St. John, Joe Roberts, Charles Dorety
Roles Director of Photography
Rating75%
Buster plays a drifter who cons his way into working at an amusement park shooting gallery. Believing Buster is an expert marksman, both the murderous gang the Blinking Buzzards and the man they want to kill end up hiring him. The film ends with a wild chase through a house filled with secret passages.
Hard Luck (1921)
, 22minutesDirected by Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton
Origin USA
Genres Comedy
Actors Buster Keaton, Virginia Fox, Joe Roberts, Bull Montana
Roles Director of Photography
Rating69%
Buster plays a down on his luck young man who decides to commit suicide after losing his job and his girl. After several inept attempts to end his life - and bolstered by whiskey disguised as poison - he joins an expedition to capture an armadillo. Buster finds himself becoming more confident through a series of adventures (such as fishing and fox hunting) as the film proceeds. The confidence becomes his undoing as he misses the pool in a dive from a high board and hits the ground on the far side with such force that he disappears into a hole. Some years later, an Asian-garbed Buster climbs out of the hole in the now dry and deserted pool followed by a Chinese wife and two young children.
The Haunted House (1921)
, 21minutesDirected by Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton
Origin USA
Genres Comedy, Horror
Themes Ghost films
Actors Buster Keaton, Virginia Fox, Joe Keaton, Natalie Talmadge, Joe Roberts, Edward F. Cline
Roles Director of Photography
Rating68%
Buster Keaton is a bank teller who becomes involved in a hold-up, counterfeiters, and a theatrical troupe posing as spooks in a haunted house.
The Goat (1921)
, 27minutesDirected by Buster Keaton, Malcolm St. Clair
Origin USA
Genres Comedy
Actors Buster Keaton, Virginia Fox, Joe Roberts, Malcolm St. Clair, Edward F. Cline, Joe Keaton
Roles Director of Photography
Rating76%
Buster Keaton is walking by and peers through a barred window while captured murderer "Dead Shot Dan" is having his picture taken. Seeing that the photographer is looking away, Dan moves his head to the side and snaps a picture of Buster without anybody noticing. Thus, when Dan escapes, the wanted posters all show Buster with his hands on the bars. Unaware, Buster moves on to a street corner, where he notices a horseshoe, and kicks it aside. The next man who comes along picks it up and throws it for good luck. Within seconds the man finds a wallet filled with money. After scrambling to find the horseshoe, Buster picks it up and throws over his shoulder. It strikes a policeman, who chases Buster, and soon other officers join the chase. Buster lures them into the back of a truck, locks them in, and escapes.