Time eventually washes everything away, both famous and not famous alike. The name Joseph August means almost nothing today, but in his day, Joseph August was one of the most desired cinematographers. Here are a few facts about him and a list of the movies he made.

Joseph August was one of the greatest American cinematographers. He was born in 1890 and died in 1947. John Ford, the great director of mostly western films used him in many of his movies. His career began with the silent move named the Lure of the Violin. This movie was made in 1912. He went on to make such famous movies as Dante's Inferno in 1924 and the Road to Glory in 1925. He also filmed Tumbleweeds in 1925, and The Beloved Rogue in 1927. While these silent films are too old for most of us to remember, he did continue his career into the sound era shooting such film classics as The Informer in 1935 and Gunga Din in 1939. He continued to make films until his death with his final film being the famous Portrait of Jennie which was released in 1948, a year after his death.

During the silent era William S. Hart and Reginald Barker insisted on having Joseph August as their cinematographer. The funny thing was he didn't start out to go into this field. He was a graduate of the Colorado School of Mining. But he did enter the field of cinematography as an assistant cameraman but was so talented that he was promoted to first cameraman in a short period of time. I don't know how many of you notice the letters A.S.C. on some movies? The letters stand for American Society of Cinematographers and August was the cofounder of this organization.

In World War II he had served in the U.S. Navy and held the rank of Commander. While he was filming the movie, The Portrait of Jennie, he collapsed and died on the set. His son is a TV cameraman.

Here is a list of his films with sound:

• Portrait of Jennie (1948)
• They Were Expendable (1945)
• Devil And Daniel Webster, The (1941)
• Melody Ranch (1940)
• Primrose Path (1940)
• Hunchback of Notre Dame, The (1939)
• Man of Conquest (1939)
• Nurse Edith Cavell (1939)
• Gunga Din (1939)
• Saint in New York, The (1938)
• Border G-Man (1938)
• Gun Law (1938)
• This Marriage Business (1938)
• Damsel in Distress, A (1937)
• Fifty Roads to Town (1937)
• Sea Devils (1937)
• Soldier And the Lady, The (1937)
• Super Sleuth (1937)
• There Goes My Girl (1937)
• Music for Madame (1937)
• Mary of Scotland (1936)
• Plough And the Stars, The (1936)
• Every Saturday Night (1936)
• Sylvia Scarlett (1936)
• Grand Jury (1936)
• Muss 'em Up (1936)
• I'll Love You Always (1935)
• Informer, The (1935)
• Eight Bells (1935)
• After the Dance (1935)
• Whole Town's Talking, The (1935)
• No Greater Glory (1934)
• Black Moon (1934)
• Defense Rests, The (1934)
• Among the Missing (1934)
• Twentieth Century (1934)
• Captain Hates the Sea, The (1934)
• Man's Castle, A (1933)
• Master of Men (1933)
• No More Orchids (1933)
• Cocktail Hour (1933)
• As the Devil Commands (1933)
• Mystery Ranch (1932)
• Charlie Chan's Chance (1932) Joseph August also produced this movie
• Silent Witness, The (1932)
• That's My Boy (1932)
• Vanity Street (1932)
• Mr. Lemon of Orange (1931)
• Black Camel, The (1931)
• Quick Millions (1931)
• Seas Beneath (1931)
• Brat, The (1931)
• Heartbreak (1931)
• Men Without Women (1930) - John Wayne had a tiny role
• On Your Back (1930)
• Double Cross Roads (1930)
• Up the River (1930)
• Man Trouble (1930)
• Black Watch, The (1929)
• Salute (1929)
• Seven Faces (1929)