The Beast with Five Fingers (Two original photographs taken on the set of the 1946 film, with manuscript captions on the versos by Robert Florey)

Burbank, CA: Warner Brothers, 1946. Two vintage reference photographs from the 1946 film, one showing director Robert Florey with a camera crew, including James Wong Howe behind the camera, the other showing Florey with actors Robert Alda and Andrea King.

Both with photographer stamps on the verso, and both with annotations in manuscript pencil in Florey's hand to same, one noting "1945-Juin / avec mon operateur chinois James Wong Howe" ("1945-June / with my Chinese camera operator James Wong Howe"), the other noting "Decembre 1945" ("December 1945").

Born in Taishan, China, James Wong Howe immigrated to the US at the age of five. He began his career in Hollywood during the silent era, as an assistant to Cecil B. DeMille, and made his first big break with the pre-Code film "Transatlantic" (1931). He would go on to become one of the most highly sought-after cinematographers, pioneering a number of filming techniques, including the use of chiaroscuro, wide-angle lenses, and deep-focus camera work. He earned ten Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography over the course of his seven-decade career, winning twice for "The Rose Tattoo" (1955) and "Hud" (1963).

Based on the 1919 short story by W.F. Harvey. A wealthy, disabled pianist with an interest in the occult is found murdered in his Italian villa, leading local villagers to suspect evil forces involved in his death. Peter Lorre's final film for Warner Brothers, ending a five-year involvement.

8 x 10 inches. Very Good plus, lightly toned to the margins.

Grant UK. Selby UK. Spicer UK.