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Billy Bitzer
Billy Bitzer with a straw hat and a cigar
Silent Hall of Fame is looking for contributors to create an original biography for this star.
Gottfried Wilhelm "Billy" Bitzer (April 21, 1874 - April 29, 1944) was a pioneering cinematographer notable for his close association with D. W. Griffith.
Bitzer provided assistance during Griffith's directorial debut, 1908's The Adventures of Dollie, which was shot by Arthur Marvin. He eventually succeeded Marvin as Griffith's regular cinematographer, working with him on some of his most important films and contributing significantly to cinematic innovations attributed to Griffith.
In 1910, he photographed Griffith's silent short, In Old California, in the Los Angeles village of "Hollywoodland", qualifying Bitzer as, arguably, Hollywood's first Director of Photography.
In 2003, a survey conducted by the International Cinematographers Guild named him one of the ten most influential cinematographers in history. Bitzer, it is said, "developed camera techniques that set the standard for all future motion pictures."
Among Bitzer's innovations were
the fade out to close a movie scene;
the iris shot where a circle closes to close a scene;
soft focus photography with the aid of a light diffusion screen;
filming entirely under artificial lighting rather than outside;
lighting, closeups and long shots to create mood;
perfection of matte photography.
Prior to his career as a cameraman, Bitzer developed early cinematic technologies for the American Mutoscope Company, eventually to become the Biograph Company. He admired and learned the art of motion picture photography from Kinetoscope inventor W.K.L. Dickson, who directed the early Biograph shorts on which Bitzer cut his teeth. Until 1903, Bitzer was employed by Biograph primarily as a documentary photographer, and from 1903 onward primarily as the photographer of narrative films, as these gained popularity. (Hendricks 1964, pp. 5)
In 1908 Bitzer entered into his first collaboration with Griffith. The two would work together for the rest of Bitzer's career, leaving Biograph in 1913 for the Mutual Film Corporation where Bitzer continued to innovate, perfecting existing technologies and inventing new ones. During this time he pioneered the field of matte photography and made use of innovative lighting techniques, closeups, and iris shots.
The apex of Bitzer and Griffith's collaboration came with The Birth of a Nation (1915), a film funded in part by Bitzer's life savings, and the epic Intolerance (1916).
For all his innovation, Bitzer did not survive the industry's transition to sound, and in 1944 he suffered a heart attack and died in Hollywood in relative obscurity.
His autobiography, Billy Bitzer: His Story, was published posthumously in 1973.
From Wikipedia
Click to enlarge
Billy Bitzer
The-Lesson-1910-b.jpg
A scene from "The Lesson" (1910), director D. W. Griffith cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Arthur-V-Johnson-and-Mary-Pickford-in-A-Romance-of-the-Western-Hills-1910-05.jpg
Arthur V. Johnson and Mary Pickford in "A Romance of the Western Hills (1910).
Mack-Sennett-and-Mary-Pickford-in-An-Arcadian-Maid-1910-00.jpg
Mack Sennett and Mary Pickford in "An Arcadian Maid" (1910), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Kate-Bruce-and-Mary-Pickford-in-The-Old-Actor-1912.jpg
Kate Bruce and Mary Pickford in "The Old Actor" (1910), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Testing-a-Rotary-1904.jpg
A scene from the documentary "Testing a Rotary" (1904), cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
https://silent-hall-of-fame.org/images/StarPictures/Billy-Bitzer/Testing-a-Rotary-1904.jpg
W-Chrystie-Miller-and-Mary-Pickford-in-The-Unwelcome-Guest-1913.jpg
W. Chrystie Miller and Mary Pickford in "The Unwelcome Guest" (1913), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Mary-Pickford-in-With-the-Enemys-Help-1912.jpg
Mary Pickford in "With the Enemy's Help" (1912), directed by Wilfred Lucas, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Mary-Pickford-in-Lena-and-the-Geese-1912-03.jpg
Mary Pickford in "Lena and the Geese" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Mary-Pickford-in-Iolas-Promise-1912-10.jpg
Mary Pickford in "Iola's Promise" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Mary-Pickford-and-Henry-Walthall-in-The-Sorrows-of-the-Unfaithful-1910-4.jpg
Mary Pickford and Henry Walthall in "The Sorrows of the Unfaithful" (1910), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Girls-Winding-Armatures-1904.jpg
A scene from the documentary "Girls Winding Armatures" (1904), cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Florence-Lawrence-in-The-Zulus-Heart-1908-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-01.jpg
Florence Lawrence in "The Zulu's Heart" (1908), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Mary-Pickford-and-George-Nichols-in-As-It-Is-in-Life-1910-04.jpg
Mary Pickford and George Nichols in "As It Is in Life" (1910), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-and-Mary-Pickford-in-The-Mountaineers-Honor-1909-5.jpg
Mary Pickford and Arthur Johnson in "The Mountaineer's Honor" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-and-Mary-Pickford-in-The-Awakening-1909-01.jpg
Mary Pickford and Arthur Johnson in "The Awakening" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Henry-Walthall-and-Claire-McDowell-in-The-God-Within-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-01.jpg
Henry Walthall and Claire McDowell in "The God Within" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Stephanie-Longfellow-and-Henry-Walthall-in-In-Lifes-Cycle-1910.jpg
Stephanie Longfellow and Henry Walthall in the film "In Life's Cycle" (1910), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Henry-Walthall-and-Lillian-Gish-in-The-Birth-of-a-Nation-1915-04.jpg
Henry Walthall and Lillian Gish in "The Birth of a Nation" (1916), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Mae-Marsh-in-The-Birth-of-a-Nation-1915-02.jpg
Mae Marsh in "The Birth of a Nation" (1916), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Wallace-Reid-in-The-Birth-of-a-Nation-1915-05.jpg
Wallace Reid in "The Birth of a Nation" (1916), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Ivor-Novello-and-Mae-Marsh-in-The-White-Rose-1920-17.jpg
Ivor Novello and Mae Marsh in "The White Rose" (1923), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Mae Marsh in "The White Rose" (1923), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Ivor-Novello-in-The-White-Rose-1920-13.jpg
Ivor Novello in "The White Rose" (1923), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Mary-Pickford-in-Muggsys-First-Sweetheart-1910.jpg
Billy Quirk and Mary Pickford in "Muggsy's First Sweetheart" (1910), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Blanche-Sweet-and-Wilfred-Lucas-in-Love-in-the-Hills-1911-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-01.jpg
Blanche Sweet and Wilfred Lucas in "Love in the Hills" (1911), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
steam-hammer-westinghouse-works-1904.jpg
A scene from the documentary "Steam Hammer" (1904), cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Robert-Harron-and-Mae-Marsh-in-The-Reformers-1913-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-03.jpg
Robert Harron and Mae Marsh in "The Reformers" (1913), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Assembling-a-Generator-1904.jpg
A scene from the documentary "Assembling a Generator" (1904), cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Robert-Harron-in-The-Yaqui-Cur-1913-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-009.jpg
Robert Harron and Kate Bruce in "The Yaqui Cur" (1913), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Florence-Lawrence-and-Arthur-V-Johnson-in-The-Way-of-Man-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-01bb.jpg
Florence Lawrence and Arthur Johnson in "The Way of Man" (1909), director D. W. Griffith, cinematographers Billy Bitzer and Arthur Marvin.
Casting-a-Guide-Box-1904.jpg
A scene from the documentary "Casting a Guide Box" (1904), cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Mary-Pickford-in-What-the-Daisy-Said-1910-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-00.jpg
Mary Pickford in "What the Daisy Said" (1910), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Automobiling-Among-the-Clouds-1904-2.jpg
A scene from the documentary "Automobiling Among the Clouds" (1904), cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
The-Hero-of-Liao-Yang-1904.jpg
A scene from the film "The Hero of Liao Yang" (1904), cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Frank-Powell-and-Marion-Leonard-in-Fools-of-Fate-1909-DW-Griffith-and-Billy-Bitzer-01.jpg
Frank Powell and Marion Leonard in "Fools of Fate" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Kate-Bruce-and-Dorothy-West-in-The-Fugitive-1910-05.jpg
Kate Bruce and Dorothy West in "The Fugitive" (1910), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Mary-Pickford-and-Elmer-Booth-in-The-Narrow-Road-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-09b.jpg
Mary Pickford and Elmer Booth in "The Narrow Road" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Personal-1904-00.jpg
A scene from the film "Personal" (1904), cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Harry-Carey-and-Claire-McDowell-in-The-Wanderer-1913-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-10.jpg
Harry Carey and Claire McDowell in "The Wanderer" (1913), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Stealing-a-Dinner-1903.jpg
A scene from the film "Stealing a Dinner" (1903), cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Henry-Walthall-and-Florence-Barker-and-Francis-Grandon-in-The-Oath-and-the-Man-1910-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-08.jpg
Henry Walthall confronts Francis Grandon in "The Oath and the Man" (1910), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Richard-Barthelmess-in-The-Love-Flower-1920-01.jpg
Richard Barthelmess in "The Love Flower" (1920), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Anders-Randolf-and-Carol-Dempster-in-The-Love-Flower-1920-09.jpg
Anders Randolf and Carol Dempster in "The Love Flower" (1920), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Clarine-Seymour-in-The-Idol-Dancer-1920-08.jpg
Clarine Seymour in "The Idol Dancer" (1920), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Richard-Barthelmess-in-The-Idol-Dancer-1920-10.jpg
Richard Barthelmess in "The Idol Dancer" (1920), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Dell-Henderson-and-Claire-McDowell-in-The-Sunbeam-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-07.jpg
Dell Henderson and Claire McDowell have an argument in "The Sunbeam" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Henry-Walthall-and-Marion-Leonard-in-A-trap-for-Santa-1909-DW-Griffith-and-Billy-Bitzer-08.jpg
Henry Walthall begs Marion Leonard's forgiveness in "A Trap for Santa" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-Edgar-Allan-Poe-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-001.jpg
Arthur Johnson in "Edgar Allan Poe" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Mary-Pickford-and-Henry-Walthall-in-Wilful-Peggy-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-16.jpg
Mary Pickford and Henry Walthall in "Wilful Peggy" (1910), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Robert-Harron-in-Mans-Genesis-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-19.jpg
Robert Harron stands victorious by his vanquished nemesis Wilfred Lucas in "Man's Genesis" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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A scene from "The Black Hand" (1906), cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Trial-Marriages-1907-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-04.jpg
A scene from "Trial Marriages" (1907), cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Mary-Pickford-and-Henry-Walthall-in-Ramona-1910-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-03.jpg
Mary Pickford and Henry Walthall in "Ramona" (1910), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Bert-Williams-in-A-Natural-Born-Gambler-1916-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-06.jpg
Bert Williams and his disabled friend believe that they see the devil in "A Natural Born Gambler" (1916), cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Florence-Lawrence-in-Romance-of-a-Jewess-1908-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-01.jpg
Florence Lawrence suffers by her mother's deathbed in "Romance of a Jewess" (1908), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Robert-Harron-and-Walter-Long-and-Miriam-Cooper-in-Intolerance-1916-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-9.jpg
Miriam Cooper makes suggestive glances to Robert Harron, but his gang boss and her lover Walter Long is not going to tolerate this in "Intolerance" (1916), the Modern Story, directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Mae-Marsh-in-Intolerance-1916-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-21.jpg
Mae Marsh is horrified after being ordered to give up her child in "Intolerance" (1916), the Modern Story, directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Lillian-Gish-in-Intolerance-1916-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-30.jpg
Lillian Gish is the Eternal Mother in "Intolerance" (1916), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Constance-Talmadge-in-Intolerance-1916-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-8.jpg
Constance Talmadge is not impressed with the buyers in the marriage market in "Intolerance" (1916), the Story of Babylon, directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Dorothy-Gish-in-Home-Sweet-Home-1914-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-4.jpg
Dorothy Gish in "Home, Sweet Home" (1914), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-The-Sealed-Room-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-12.jpg
Arthur Johnson in "The Sealed Room" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Dorothy-West-and-George-Nichols-in-Rose-O-Salem-Town-1910-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-4.jpg
Dorothy West is about to be arrested in "Rose O'Salem-Town" (1910), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Mack-Sennett-in-Father-Gets-In-the-Game-1908-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-5.jpg
Mack Sennett is not recognized by his wife in "Father Gets in the Game" (1908), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
a-scene-from-In-the-Border-States-1910-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-2.jpg
Civilians salute the marching soldiers in a scene from the film "In the Border States" (1910), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Ynez-Seabury-and-Lionel-Barrymore-in-The-Misers-Heart-1911-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-4.jpg
Ynez Seabury and Lionel Barrymore in "The Miser's Heart" (1911), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Edwin-August-and-Stephanie-Longfellow-and-Wilfred-Lucas-in-Winning-Back-His-Love-1910-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-6.jpg
Edwin August, Stephanie Longfellow and Wilfred Lucas in "Winning Back His Love" (1910), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Florence-Lawrence-and-Harry-Solter-and-George-Gebhardt-in-Money-Mad-1908-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-16.jpg
Florence Lawrence, Harry Solter and George Gebhardt in "Money Mad" (1908), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Robert-Harron-in-The-Musketeers-of-Pig-Alley-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-17.jpg
Robert Harron covers his comrades as his gang retreats in "The Musketeers of Pig Alley" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Florence-Lawrence-and-Owen-Moore-in-The-Mended-Lute-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-12.jpg
Florence Lawrence and Owen Moore paddle their canoe chased by the enemy in "The Mended Lute" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Mary-Pickford-and-Claire-McDowell-and-Dorothy-Bernard-in-The-Female-of-the-Species-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-03.jpg
Dorothy Bernard, Claire McDowell and Mary Pickford in "The Female of the Species" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Robert-Harron-in-Judith-of-Bethulia-1914-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-bb.jpg
Robert Harron fights the enemy in "Judith of Bethulia" (1914), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-The-Cricket-on-the-Hearth-1909-director-DW-Griffith-8.jpg
A scene from "The Cricket on the Hearth" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith. Arthur Johnson plays the minister.
Arthur-V-Johnson-and-Marion-Leonard-in-The-Voice-of-the-Violin-1909-director-DW-Griffith-8.jpg
Arthur Johnson and Marion Leonard in "The Voice of the Violin" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith.
Florence-Lawrence-in-Betrayed-By-A-Handprint-1908-director-DW-Griffith-4.jpg
Florence Lawrence in "Betrayed By A Handprint" (1908), director D.W. Griffith.
Florence-Lawrence-in-The-Song-of-the-Shirt-1908-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-11.jpg
Florence Lawrence pleads for work in "The Song of the Shirt" (1908), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-The-Red-Mans-View-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-7.jpg
Arthur Johnson supervises the exodus in "The Red Man's View" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-A-Drunkards-Reformation-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-bb.jpg
Arthur Johnson vows to stop drinking in "A Drunkard's Reformation" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
George-Nichols-in-Fighting-Blood-1911-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-00bb.jpg
George Nichols mobilizes all available troops in "Fighting Blood" (1911), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Corner-in-Wheat-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-17.jpg
Charity bread is in short supply for people on the poverty line in "Corner in Wheat" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Wilfred-Lucas-in-Enoch-Arden-1911-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-01bb.jpg
Wilfred Lucas in "Enoch Arden" (1911), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Hearts-of-the-World-1918-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-22bb.jpg
A family of swans tries to find shelter from the bombs in "Hearts of the World" (1918), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Lillian-Gish-and-Robert-Harron-in-Hearts-of-the-World-1918-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-33.jpg
Lillian Gish and Robert Harron try to hide in enemy territory in "Hearts of the World" (1918), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Hearts-of-the-World-1918-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-26bb.jpg
The enemy marches through the captured town in "Hearts of the World" (1918), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Robert-Harron-in-A-Romance-of-Happy-Valley-1919-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-02bb.jpg
Robert Harron gets a sermon against temptation in "A Romance of Happy Valley" (1919), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
George-Fawcett-in-A-Romance-of-Happy-Valley-1919-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-01bb.jpg
George Fawcett in "A Romance of Happy Valley" (1919), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Lillian-Gish-and-Richard-Barthelmess-in-Broken-Blossoms-1919-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-19.jpg
Lillian Gish finds shelter in Richard Barthelmess's home in "Broken Blossoms" (1919), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Lillian-Gish-and-Richard-Barthelmess-in-Broken-Blossoms-1919-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-20.jpg
Lillian Gish and Richard Barthelmess meet face to face in "Broken Blossoms" (1919), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Lillian-Gish-and-Richard-Barthelmess-in-Broken-Blossoms-1919-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-00.jpg
Lillian Gish is tender to Richard Barthelmess, her savior in "Broken Blossoms" (1919), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Lillian-Gish-in-Way-Down-East-1920-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-000.jpg
Lillian Gish is losing the will to live in "Way Down East" (1920), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Lillian-Gish-in-Way-Down-East-1920-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-49.jpg
Richard Barthelmess tries to reach Lillian Gish's chunk of ice before it gets to the falls in "Way Down East" (1920), directed by D.W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Dorothy-Gish-in-Orphans-of-the-Storm-1921-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-9.jpg
Dorothy Gish, who is blind, is an easy prey for an evil woman after her sister is kidnapped in "Orphans of the Storm" (1921), directed by D.W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Lillian-Gish-and-Dorothy-Gish-in-Orphans-of-the-Storm-1921-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-000.jpg
Lillian and Dorothy Gish in "Orphans of the Storm" (1921), directed by D.W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Florence-Lawrence-in-The-Country-Doctor-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-3.jpg
Florence Lawrence is happy with her husband and daughter in "The Country Doctor" (1909), directed by D.W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Lillian-Gish-and-Robert-Harron-in-True-Heart-Susie-1919-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-12.jpg
Robert Harron treats Lillian Gish to ice-cream in "True Heart Susie" (1919), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Clarine-Seymour-and-Robert-Harron-in-True-Heart-Susie-1919-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-21.jpg
Robert Harron is courted by Clarine Seymour in "True Heart Susie" (1919), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Billy-Bitzer-cinematographer-and-D-W-Griffith-director-and-Frank-E-Woods.jpg
Cinematographer Billy Bitzer with director D. W. Griffith and Frank E. Woods.
Billy-Bitzer-cinematographer-and-D-W-Griffith-director-and-which-actor.jpg
Cinematographer Billy Bitzer with director D. W. Griffith and Henry Walthall during the filming of "Death's Marathon" (1913).
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Cinematographer Billy Bitzer and director D. W. Griffith experiment with lighting techniques.
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Cinematographer Billy Bitzer with director D. W. Griffith.
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Cinematographer Billy Bitzer with director D. W. Griffith on the set of Intolerance (1916) with Josephine Crowell and Stroheim ajusting soldier's cap.
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Billy Bitzer cinematographer - The Birth of a Nation (1915) with Lillian Gish.
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Billy Bitzer cinematographer - The Birth of a Nation (1915) war scene.
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Cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
http://silent-hall-of-fame.org/images/StarPictures/Billy-Bitzer/Billy-Bitzer-cinematographer.jpg
Billy-Bitzer-cinematographer-and-Robert-Harron-and-Lillian-Gish-in-The-Greatest- Question-1919.jpg
Billy Bitzer cinematographer - The Greatest Question (1919) with Robert Harron and Lillian Gish.
Selected Filmography
- President McKinley Inauguration (1901) - Free Movie
- The Dude and the Burglars (1903) - Free Movie
- The Georgetown Loop (1903) - Hidden Gem
- Stealing a Dinner (1903) - Free Movie
- President Roosevelt's Fourth of July Oration (1903) - Free Movie
- A Search for the Evidence (1903) - Hidden Gem
- Delivering newspapers (1903) - Free Movie
- Cleveland Fire Department (1903) - Free Movie
- Happy Hooligan (1903) - Free Movie
- A Frontier Flirtation (1903) - Free Movie
- Levi and Cohen, the Irish Comedians (1903) - Free Movie
- Personal (1904) - Hidden Gem
- Children in the Surf, Coney Island (1904) - Free Movie
- Man Overboard! 'Indiana' (1904) - Free Movie
- Coil Winding Machines (1904) - Free Movie
- Girls Winding Armatures (1904) - Free Movie
- Girls Taking Time Checks (1904) - Free Movie
- Casting a Guide Box (1904) - Free Movie
- Steam Hammer (1904) - Free Movie
- Testing a Rotary (1904) - Free Movie
- Assembling a Generator (1904) - Free Movie
- Casting Scene (1904) - Free Movie
- Panorama of Machine Co. Aisle (1904) - Free Movie
- The Lost Child (1904) - Hidden Gem
- Welding the Big Ring (1904) - Free Movie
- Panorama View, Street Car Motor Room (1904) - Free Movie
- The Widow and the Only Man (1904) - Hidden Gem
- Automobiling Among the Clouds (1904) - Free Movie
- Automobile Race for the Vanderbilt Cup (1904) - Free Movie
- The Moonshiner (1904)
- The hero of Liao Yang (1904) - Hidden Gem
- Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son (1905) - Hidden Gem
- 2 A. M. in the Subway (1905) - Free Movie
- The Great Jewel Mystery (1905) - Hidden Gem
- Swimming Pool, Palm Beach (1905) - Free Movie
- Airy Fairy Lillian Tries on Her New Corsets (1905) - Hidden Gem
- A Kentucky Feud (1905) - Hidden Gem
- The Black Hand (1906) - Hidden Gem
- The Paymaster (1906) - Hidden Gem
- Arrival of immigrants, Ellis Island (1906) - Free Movie
- Logging In Maine (1906) - Free Movie
- Trial Marriages (1907) - Hidden Gem
- Mr. Hurry-up of New York (1907)
- The Tired Tailor's Dream (1907) - Hidden Gem
- The Sculptor's Nightmare (1908)
- The Boy Detective (1908) - Hidden Gem
- Her First Adventure (1908) - Hidden Gem
- Caught by Wireless (1908)
- The Zulu's Heart (1908) - Hidden Gem
- At the French Ball (1908)
- Crossroads of Life (1908) - Hidden Gem
- Where Breakers Roar (1908) - Hidden Gem
- The Taming of the Shrew (1908) - Hidden Gem
- The Black Viper (1908) - Hidden Gem
- A Calamitous Elopement (1908) - Free Movie
- Betrayed by a Handprint (1908) - Free Movie
- Father Gets In the Game (1908) - Free Movie
- Romance of a Jewess (1908) - Free Movie
- The Song of the Shirt (1908) - Free Movie
- Money Mad (1908) - Free Movie
- The Cord of Life (1909) - Free Movie
- The Curtain Pole (1909) - Free Movie
- The Joneses Have Amateur Theatricals (1909) - Free Movie
- Politician's Love Story (1909) - Free Movie
- Edgar Allan Poe (1909) - Free Movie
- At The Altar (1909) - Free Movie
- The Day After (1909) - Hidden Gem
- The Lure of the Gown (1909) - Free Movie
- The Voice of the Violin (1909) - Free Movie
- A Drunkard's Reformation (1909) - Free Movie
- Confidence (1909) - Free Movie
- Lucky Jim (1909) - Free Movie
- Resurrection (1909) - Free Movie
- The Cricket on the Hearth (1909) - Free Movie
- What Drink Did (1909) - Free Movie
- The Violin Maker of Cremona (1909) - Free Movie
- Lonely Villa (1909) - Free Movie
- The Son's Return (1909) - Free Movie
- Pippa Passes (1909) - Free Movie
- Lady Helen's Escapade (1909)
- Her First Biscuits (1909) - Hidden Gem
- The Way of Man (1909) - Free Movie
- The Cardinal's Conspiracy (1909) - Free Movie
- A Trap for Santa (1909) - Hidden Gem
- The Renunciation (1909) - Free Movie
- A Strange Meeting (1909) - Free Movie
- The Mended Lute (1909) - Hidden Gem
- The Broken Locket (1909) - Free Movie
- Little Darling (1909) - Free Movie
- The Sealed Room (1909) - Free Movie
- 1776, or The Hessian Renegades (1909) - Free Movie
- Getting Even (1909) - Free Movie
- The Light That Came (1909)
- Nursing a Viper (1909) - Hidden Gem
- The Awakening (1909) - Free Movie
- Sweet and Twenty (1909) - Hidden Gem
- The Song of Conscience (1909)
- Fools of Fate (1909) - Free Movie
- The Girls and Daddy (1909) - Hidden Gem
- An Unexpected Guest (1909)
- The Peachbasket Hat (1909) - Hidden Gem
- Lines of White on a Sullen Sea (1909) - Free Movie
- The Gibson Goddess (1909) - Free Movie
- The Red Man’s View (1909) - Free Movie
- The Mountaineer's Honor (1909) - Free Movie
- Those Awful Hats (1909) - Free Movie
- The Country Doctor (1909) - Free Movie
- Corner in Wheat (1909) - Free Movie
- The Last Deal (1910) - Hidden Gem
- In the Border States (1910) - Free Movie
- The Oath and the Man (1910) - Hidden Gem
- Rose O'Salem-Town (1910) - Hidden Gem
- The Modern Prodigal (1910) - Free Movie
- Ramona (1910) - Free Movie
- The House with Closed Shutters (1910)
- Love Among the Roses (1910) - Hidden Gem
- A Child of the Ghetto (1910) - Free Movie
- Sunshine Sue (1910) - Hidden Gem
- As It Is In Life (1910) - Free Movie
- Muggsy's First Sweetheart (1910) - Hidden Gem
- What the Daisy Said (1910) - Hidden Gem
- The Fugitive (1910) - Hidden Gem
- The Rocky Road (1910) - Free Movie
- Her Terrible Ordeal (1910) - Free Movie
- Winning Back His Love (1910) - Hidden Gem
- A Romance of the Western Hills (1910) - Hidden Gem
- An Arcadian Maid (1910) - Hidden Gem
- The Sorrows of the Unfaithful (1910) - Hidden Gem
- In Life's Cycle (1910) - Hidden Gem
- The Message of the Violin (1910) - Hidden Gem
- Faithful (1910) - Free Movie
- The Lesson (1910) - Hidden Gem
- The Unchanging Sea (1910) - Free Movie
- The Usurer (1910) - Hidden Gem
- Wilful Peggy (1910) - Free Movie
- The Two Paths (1911) - Hidden Gem
- The Miser's Heart (1911) - Free Movie
- Fisher Folks (1911) - Hidden Gem
- The Lily of the Tenements (1911) - Hidden Gem
- The Last Drop of Water (1911)
- Fighting Blood (1911) - Free Movie
- Bobby the Coward (1911) - Hidden Gem
- The Lonedale Operator (1911)
- The Indian Brothers (1911) - Hidden Gem
- Fate's Turning (1911)
- Love in the Hills (1911) - Hidden Gem
- The Primal Call (1911) - Hidden Gem
- The Battle (1911) - Hidden Gem
- The Long Road (1911) - Hidden Gem
- A Country Cupid (1911)
- When a Man Loves (1911) - Hidden Gem
- A Woman Scorned (1911) - Hidden Gem
- Swords and Hearts (1911)
- The Failure (1911) - Hidden Gem
- What Shall We Do with Our Old? (1911)
- Enoch Arden (1911) - Free Movie
- The Girl and Her Trust (1912)
- Under Burning Skies (1912) - Hidden Gem
- The New York Hat (1912)
- Iola's Promise (1912) - Hidden Gem
- The Sunbeam (1912) - Free Movie
- The Narrow Road (1912) - Hidden Gem
- The Old Actor (1912) - Hidden Gem
- The School Teacher and the Waif (1912) - Hidden Gem
- Friends (1912)
- Man's Genesis (1912) - Hidden Gem
- One Is Business, the Other Crime (1912)
- Lena and the Geese (1912) - Hidden Gem
- The Burglar's Dilemma (1912) - Free Movie
- The Sands of Dee (1912) - Hidden Gem
- A Temporary Truce (1912) - Hidden Gem
- A Dash through the Clouds (1912)
- So Near, Yet So Far (1912) - Hidden Gem
- With the Enemy's Help (1912) - Hidden Gem
- The Lesser Evil (1912)
- The Female of the Species (1912) - Free Movie
- A Beast at Bay (1912) - Hidden Gem
- An Unseen Enemy (1912)
- The God Within (1912) - Hidden Gem
- Two Daughters of Eve (1912) - Hidden Gem
- The Painted Lady (1912)
- The Musketeers of Pig Alley (1912) - Free Movie
- The House of Darkness (1913)
- The Unwelcome Guest (1913) - Hidden Gem
- The Little Tease (1913) - Hidden Gem
- The Wanderer (1913) - Hidden Gem
- Death's Marathon (1913)
- His Mother's Son (1913) - Hidden Gem
- The Reformers (1913) - Hidden Gem
- The Yaqui Cur (1913) - Hidden Gem
- The Mothering Heart (1913)
- Brute Force (1914) - Hidden Gem
- The Battle at Elderbush Gulch (1914)
- Judith of Bethulia (1914) - Free Movie
- The Massacre (1914)
- Home, Sweet Home (1914) - Free Movie
- The Avenging Conscience (1914) - Free Movie
- The Birth of a Nation (1915) part I - Free Movie
- A Natural Born Gambler (1916) - Free Movie
- Intolerance (1916) - Free Movie
- Hearts of the World (1918) - Free Movie
- The Great Love (1918)
- The Greatest Thing in Life (1918)
- A Romance of Happy Valley (1919) - Free Movie
- The Girl Who Stayed at Home (1919)
- True Heart Susie (1919) - Free Movie
- Scarlet Days (1919)
- Broken Blossoms (1919) - Free Movie
- The Greatest Question (1919)
- The Idol Dancer (1920) - Free Movie
- The Love Flower (1920) - Free Movie
- Way Down East (1920) - Free Movie
- Orphans of the Storm (1921) - Free Movie
- The White Rose (1923) - Free Movie
- America (1924)
- The Midnight Girl (1925)
- The Drums of Love (1928) - Hidden Gem
- The Battle of the Sexes (1928)
Our Newsletter
Recent Movie Reviews
- "Annie Laurie" (1927) - hidden gem
- "Battling Butler" (1926) - with film
- "Whistles And Windows" (1918) - hidden gem
- "The Scarlet Letter" (1926) - hidden gem
- "Seven Chances" (1925) - with film
- "So This is Paris" (1926) - hidden gem
- "Two Daughters of Eve" (1912) - hidden gem
- "Go West" (1925) - with film
- "Spies and Spills" (1918) - hidden gem
- "The Lesson" (1910) - hidden gem
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