Edward Colman

Highest Rated: 96% Mary Poppins (1964)

Lowest Rated: 36% Babes in Toyland (1961)

Birthday: Jan 25, 1905

Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

When it came to award accolades, cinematographer Edward Colman was frequently a bridesmaid, but never a bride. Still, he provided the photography for a number of enduring classics over the span of two decades, including a number of live action Walt Disney films, many of which were released in the late '50s and '60s. In 1959, he served as director of photography on "The Shaggy Dog," a family-friendly fantasy about a young boy who changes into a sheepdog. It marked his first Disney feature, and was subsequently followed by collaborations with frequent "House of Mouse" director Robert Stevenson. The pair worked together on "That Darn Cat!" and "The Love Bug," as well as "The Absent-Minded Professor" and "Mary Poppins," for which Colman received Academy Award nominations. The early '60s also brought the cinematographer work on two Disney movies about young boys and faithful dogs, both helmed by Norman Tokar: "Big Red" and "Savage Sam." While films like "Mary Poppins" are fondly remembered for their use of vibrant, glorious Technicolor, he was equally adept at shooting in black and white; during the '50s, he worked with star and director Jack Webb on many projects sporting a monochromatic look, including the popular series "Dragnet" and the movie "The D.I.." Around this time, he also worked as camera operator for "The Mickey Mouse Club."