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Saturday, April 6, 2013

A-Z Challenge 2013: F is for Freddie Francis!

Now we're up to the post we're we are going to drop the F Bomb - because it must be dropped when:


 
F is for Freddie Francis!





Born in London Freddie Francis was originally working towards a a career in engineering. At school, a film essay won him a scholarship to the North West London Polytechnic in Kentish Town. He left school at age 16, which eventually led to him successively becoming a clapper boy, camera loader and focus puller for several British production companies.



In 1939, Francis joined the Army assigned as a cameraman and director to the Army Kinematograph Unit at Wembley, where he worked on Army training films through the end of World War II and into 1946.



After leaving the army, Francis spent the next ten years working as a camera operator on films such as Beat the Devil (1953), and Moby Dick (1956).




Learning the art of cinematography in that decade, he then became a top rated director of photography, with movies like Room at the Top (1959), Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960), Sons and Lovers (1960), and The Innocents (1961) - which he regarded as one of the best films he shot - on his resume.



Following an Academy Award win for Sons and Lovers, Francis began a new career - feature film director. In 1963 he directed Paranoiac for Hammer Studios, which is part of the reason he scores a place in this A-Z Challenge, because for the next twenty of so years, Francis continued to direct  films for Hammer. He directed their suspense films like Nightmare (1964) and Hysteria (1965), as well as monster movies such as The Evil of Frankenstein (1964) and Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968).

Directing Peter Cushing in The Creeping Flesh (1973).


At the same time he was directing for Hammer, Francis also began an association with Amicus Productions, another studio which geared most of its output to horror movies. Interestingly, Amicus specialized in the anthology film - movies made up of four or five shorter stories with a wraparound framing story - and most of the films Francis made for Amicus were anthologies like Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965), Torture Garden (1968) and Tales from the Crypt (1972). As a director, Francis brought the cinematographer's eye to the table, and most all of his horror movies have great visual style.

Discussion with Maurice Denham on the set of Paranoiac (1963) as Oliver Reed looks on.



Despite this, Freddie Francis was frustrated that the horror genre was looked on as lowbrow, but he was "typecast" and was not offered movies in other genres to direct. Consequently he made a somewhat surprising move back into cinematography - taking jobs as director of photography again, and finding work on major motion pictures outside the horror genre - movies like The Elephant Man (1980), Dune (1984), and Glory (1989), the latter of which also earned him his second Academy Award.



Christopher Lee towers over Freddie Francis and Milton Subotsky on the set of Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965).




He did continue to direct - notably The Doctor and the Devils (1985) and Francis's last film as director - Dark Tower (1987) - not an adaptation of the Stephen King novel.



In the 1990's, even as he moved into his mid 70's, Francis continued working, still shooting films like The Man in the Moon as well as Martin Scorsese's Cape Fear remake. His final film as cinematographer was David Lynch's The Straight Story.


Two titans in the art of cinematography - Freddie Francis chats with Jack Cardiff.




I definitely recommend checking out some Freddie Francis movies - ones he shot, and ones he directed - a terribly talented man, and worthy of some LGOOH love.



"G", this post is over - wonder what tomorrow's will bring? Until then, you Can Poke Me With A Fork, Cause I Am Outta Here!

20 comments:

  1. Another well done blog! I wonder how he would have done had he directed in the horror genre in the '80s...the Friday the 13th and Halloween franchises?

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    1. Thanks Dave! I'm not sure those producers would have offered him such a film - as all of his horror films are somewhat gothic and old school in nature - but I have to say I'd be interested to see a Freddie Francis entry in either of those franchises. The 80's horror franchise I think he'd be most suited to would be the Hellraiser series.

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  2. Another informative and entertaining post. I will definitely check out Freddie's filmography. I love your line about how his horror movies had visual style. For me, visual style (cinematography) is what really turns me on about films. That and the story. I feel like I should pay you tuition to attend your film history class. LOL.

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    1. I appreciate that Luana! But I think we have a great trade agreement set up - I get to read your awesome posts over at The Skating Buffalo - so we're even!

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  3. I do enjoy older movies. Freddie is surely a talented guy and some master cinematography.

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    1. I love the old flicks too - and you're right about Mr. F - as talented as they come! Thanks for coming by!

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  4. His work on The Elephant Man and Glory is superlative. To think that he executed those images that resonate most strongly is a testament to his genius. Cinematographers rarely gain the esteem they deserve by most moviegoers, but directors cannot achieve those glorious, awe-inspiring shots that they've conceptualized without enlisting the skill of a talented DP. Great addition to the Challenge, Craig!

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    1. Thank you Matty! He's got an amazing eye and talent - gorgeous images. And I was pleased not to be just doing actor/director/actor/director.

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  5. I just found your blog today, and I'm so glad I did! I'm really looking forward to reading more of your posts, though, I subscribed after only one. :)

    Krissy @ DearKrissy

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    1. Thank you so much! I really appreciate it! I will come visit your side of the world too - interested to see what feel passionate enough to write about! Cheers!

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  6. Thanks for spotlighting a cinematographer! These days, directors get all the love. I think people forget there are other folks behind the camera who make the magic happen.

    Nicely done!

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    1. I thought this one might catch your photographer's eye!

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  7. Lovely work, Mr. C. If you can wait until the letter K, I will have a cinematographer-related post.

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    1. Thank you very much, Ms. G! I will be waiting in breathless anticipation - but you know I'll be there are your Constant Reader!

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  8. Great post about a largely overlooked artist. People tend to forget the person behind the camera, yet without that guy, there's no film!

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    1. That's exactly right Kate! Thanks for dropping in and commenting! Cheers!

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  9. Terrific and definitely overlooked director who created a few timeless classics.

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  10. From clapper to director with two Academy Awards. That's impressive Craig!

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  11. Lessons in movies, 101! I love the photos you add to each post, and of course, your quirky sign-off. :) I need to read an "about me" section. I am curious to know how you got so involved this thoroughly into movies.

    Nicely done!
    I'll be back in the morning. :)

    Dana
    Waiter, drink please!


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  12. Awesome post! Freddie is certainly one hell of a talent. I enjoyed his Hammer work very much and love that still from The Creeping Flesh. Glory was absolutely stunning and I think his best work ever.

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