Favorite Forgotten Films

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Dennis Muren, ASC

In addition to the many visual effects films I saw as a kid, I studied the films of many great cinematographers, and one of my favorites is The Big Carnival (a.k.a. Ace in the Hole) made in 1951 and photographed in black and white by ASC member Charles Lang, Jr. It runs the gamut — from spectacular high-key desert vistas to tight low-key interiors, lit by flashlight, of a man trapped in a tunnel cave-in. He was a master at using a full tonal range, whether it's a closeup of Kirk Douglas or towering rock formations.

The film also has a number of complex crane shots that begin as quiet dialogue scenes between a couple of actors. Suddenly, we follow as one walks past the camera. We pan and crane, ending with him looking at a vast spectacle in the distance, all in one long cut. This transition is often used today, but at the time it was rarely seen. I was so impressed by its sense of depth and surprise that I still use it whenever I can.