Joseph LaShelle

Biography

Joseph LaShelle (July 9, 1900 – August 20, 1989) was an American cinematographer and one of the most respected visual artists of Hollywood's Golden Age. Known for his masterful use of lighting, shadows, and composition, he helped define the look of classic film noir. He won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for Laura (1944).

Early Life and Career

Joseph Wellington LaShelle was born on July 9, 1900, in Los Angeles, California. He entered the film industry in 1920 as a laboratory assistant at Paramount while originally planning to study electrical engineering. After gaining experience in film processing and camera work, he decided to pursue cinematography.

He trained under veteran cinematographer Charles G. Clarke and later worked as a camera operator at studios including Pathé and Fox. During the 1930s, he gained valuable experience working alongside cinematographer Arthur C. Miller before becoming a director of photography in 1943.

Cinematography Career

LaShelle became known for his realistic visual style, especially his ability to create dramatic moods through lighting and camera angles. His work was particularly influential in the film noir genre, where his use of darkness and contrast became a defining feature.

His notable films include:

• Laura (1944)
• Fallen Angel (1945)
• Road House (1948)
• Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950)
• Marty (1955)
• The Long, Hot Summer (1958)
• The Apartment (1960)
• How the West Was Won (1962)
• Irma la Douce (1963)
• The Fortune Cookie (1966)
• The Chase (1966)
• Barefoot in the Park (1967) 

Laura (1944)

LaShelle's most celebrated achievement was Otto Preminger's Laura (1944), a classic mystery film starring Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews. His elegant black-and-white photography created the film's unforgettable atmosphere and earned him the Academy Award for Best Cinematography (Black and White).

Collaboration with Major Directors

LaShelle worked with several leading filmmakers, including Otto Preminger, Billy Wilder, Martin Ritt, and John Ford. His collaboration with Billy Wilder produced acclaimed films such as The Apartment (1960) and The Fortune Cookie (1966).

The Chase (1966)

LaShelle served as director of photography for Arthur Penn's The Chase (1966), starring Marlon Brando, Jane Fonda, and Robert Redford. His cinematography helped capture the film's tense atmosphere and exploration of social conflict.

Awards and Recognition

LaShelle received multiple Academy Award nominations throughout his career, including for:

• Come to the Stable (1949)
• My Cousin Rachel (1952)
• Marty (1955)
• The Apartment (1960)
• Irma la Douce (1963)
• How the West Was Won (1962)
• The Fortune Cookie (1966) 

Later Life and Death

Joseph LaShelle retired from filmmaking in 1969. He remained a respected figure in Hollywood cinematography and was a member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC). He died on August 20, 1989, in La Jolla, California, at the age of 89.