JACK CARDIFFOBE, who died on 22 April, 2009, was anOscar-winningBritishcinematographerwho worked with many ofHollywood’sbestdirectorsandactors.He won his academy award for the lusciousBlack Narcissus(1947) with its spectacular Himalayan backdrops and sinister atmosphere. The film, about the emotional tensions in a convent of nuns, was directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and starred the beautifulDeborah KerrDuring his remarkable 89-year career in movies, which encompassed thesilent film eraand Hollywood’s golden age and lasted well into modern times, he was nominated for a further three Oscars, two as cinematographer for War and Peace (1956) and Fanny (1961), and one as director of Sons and Lovers (1960), one of 14 films he took the helm on.In 2001 his contribution to thefilm industrywas recognised with an honorary statuette from the Academy.His notable collaborations included cinematography work onAlfred Hitchcock’s romance Under Capricorn (1949),Orson Welles’ historical adventure The Black Rose (1950) andJohn Huston’s river epic The African Queen (1951), which gaveHumphrey Bogarthis only Oscar.Other notable films included more works with Powell and Pressburger, such as A Matter of Life and Death (1946) withDavid Nivenand The Red Shoes (1948) starring ballet dancer Moira Shearer; The Prince and the Showgirl (1957), whichLaurence Olivierdirected and co-starredMarilyn Monroe; andAgatha Christieadaptation Death on the Nile (1978) withPeter Ustinovas Poirot.Born in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, on 18 September, 1914, Jack Cardiff was involved in films from the age of four, thanks to his music hall entertainer parents. He made his film debut in the silent film My Son, My Son (1918) and at 15 began working as a camera assistant, clapper boy and runner for British International Pictures, thus starting his behind-the-camera career in earnest.His success on big budget Hollywood productions opened the door for him to direct films during the 1960s and notable works include The Girl on a Motorcycle (1968) starring Marianne Faithfull and The Mutations (1973) withDonald Pleasence. He also directed Scent of Mystery (1960), the only film to ever utilise the Smell-o-Vision gimmick with odours pumped into the cinema to aid the plot.Mr Cardiff, who was awarded an OBE in 2000, died at the age of 94, two years after last working on a television documentary series. He was survived by his wife Nikki, their son Mason, and sons John, Rodney and Peter from a previous marriage.
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