Sol Polito, A.S.C. (born Salvatore Polito, November 12, 1892 – May 23, 1960) was a Sicilian-American cinematographer. He is best known for his work with directors Michael Curtiz and Mervyn LeRoy at Warner Bros. studios in the 1930s and 1940s.
Sol Polito | |
|---|---|
 Sol Polito in 1942 | |
| Born | Salvatore Polito November 12, 1892 Palermo, Italy |
| Died | May 23, 1960 (aged 67) Los Angeles, California |
| Occupation | Cinematographer |
| Years active | 1914–1949 |
| Spouse | Frances D'Angelis |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Gene Polito (son) |
Biography
editSalvatore Polito was born November 12, 1892, in Palermo, Italy, and immigrated to the United States in 1905.[1] He attended school in New York City and began working in the motion picture industry as a still photographer. After experience as a lab assistant and camera assistant, he was promoted to lighting cameraman in 1917.[2]
Polito married Frances (Francesca) D'Angelis in New York in 1914.[3][4] The union produced two sons. The elder son Gene Polito (1918-2010) also became a cinematographer.[5] Younger son S. Robert Polito (1922–2015) became a physician.
Polito moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1919 to continue his career at First National Pictures and Warner Bros.[5] He worked on more than 170 films at various studios,[6] but is best known for his work at Warner Bros. with directors Michael Curtiz and Mervyn LeRoy.[2]
Polito died in Los Angeles on May 23, 1960, aged 67,[7] and was entombed in the Mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery in East Los Angeles, California.
Accolades
editPolito received three Academy Award nominations:[8]
- 1939: The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, Best Cinematography (Color), shared with W. Howard Greene
- 1941: Sergeant York, Best Cinematography (Black and White)
- 1942: Captains of the Clouds, Best Cinematography (Color)
Select filmography
editReferences
edit- ^ "Salvatore Polito". National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Naturalization Records of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, Central Division (Los Angeles), 1887–1940; Microfilm Roll: 93; Microfilm Serial: M1524. Ancestry.com, U.S. Naturalization Records, 1840–1957 [database online]. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2010. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
- ^ a b Katz, Ephraim (1998). Klein, Fred; Nolen, Ronald Dean (eds.). The Film Encyclopedia (3rd ed.). New York: HarperPerennial. p. 1096. ISBN 0-06-273492-X.
- ^ "Salvatore Polito". Ancestry.com. New York, New York, Marriage Index 1866–1937 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
- ^ "Frances Polito". Ancestry.com. California, Death Index, 1940–1997 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2000. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
- ^ a b "In Memoriam: Gene Polito, ASC". USC School of Cinematic Arts. 2010-12-02. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah "Sol Polito". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
- ^ "Sol Polito". Ancestry.com. California, Death Index, 1940–1997 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2000. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
- ^ a b c d "Sol Polito". Academy Awards Database. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 2017-03-01.
External links
edit- Sol Polito at IMDb
- Sol Polito at Great Cinemagraphers, Internet Encyclopedia of Cinematographers
- Sol Polito at Find a Grave