Virgil Miller


Virgil Miller was an American cinematographer who was the director of photography for 157 films between 1917 and 1956.

Career

Born in Coffeen, Illinois, Miller's credits include The [Phantom of the Opera (1925 film)|The Phantom of the Opera], Danger - Love at Work, Mr. Moto Takes a Chance, The Mummy's Curse, Navajo, Crazylegs, and six Charlie Chan films.
Miller published his autobiography, Splinters from Hollywood Tripods, in 1964. Prior to working for Universal Studios and, eventually, most other major studios, Miller was a graduate from and a professor at Kansas State University teaching physics and electrical engineering. In 1913, Miller became the first director and founder of the electrical department of Universal Studios. Best known for being one of the first to use electrical lights to film indoors and at night. In 1915, he filmed on location in San Francisco, California, for the World's Fair; one of the earliest "on location" scenes filmed. He also coordinated very early special effects including filming stampedes, explosions, and shrinking people. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography for the documentary film Navajo in 1952.

Personal life

He was first married to Myrtle Bower. Together they had five boys: Joaquin, Wendell, Harlan "Lee", Loren, and Donald. He and Myrtle divorced and Miller later remarried. He died in North Hollywood, California on October 5, 1974, and was buried at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Partial filmography

A Stormy Knight The [Man Trap (film)|The Man Trap] Brace Up Winner Takes All The Guilt of Silence The Eagle Smashing Through Pink Tights The Silent Barrier Two Kinds of Love Red Courage Luring Lips Colorado Sure Fire Man Under Cover The Scrapper Don't Shoot The Lone Hand The Flame of Life The Gentleman from America Shootin' for Love The Thrill Chaser 40-Horse Hawkins The Saddle Hawk California Straight Ahead Let 'er Buck The Phantom of the Opera Broken Hearts of Hollywood The Runaway Express Private Izzy Murphy Under [Western Skies (1926 film)|Under Western Skies] Irish Hearts Finders Keepers Stocks and Blondes Young Whirlwind Alex the Great Two Outlaws The Vagabond Cub The [Woman I Love (1929 film)|The Woman I Love] Laughing at Death The [Garden of Allah (1936 film)|The Garden of Allah] Danger - Love at Work Thank You, Mr. Moto Mr. Moto Takes a Chance Charlie Chan in Reno Charlie Chan at Treasure Island The Man Who Wouldn't Talk Murder Over New York Calling Dr. Death The Mummy's Curse The Falcon in San Francisco The Michigan Kid Navajo Murder Without Tears