Cinematographer. He is remembered as an award-winning American cinematographer, who was known for his glossy, glamorous style that helped define the "look" of MGM Studios films in the 1930s. He and Allen Davey were recipients of a special Academy Award for the early color photography in the 1938 film "Sweethearts," and again the two received an Oscar nomination in the category of the Best Cinematography for the 1940 film "Bitter Sweet”. Several members of his family were involved in the film industry including his sister, Mae Marsh, who was an actress. In 1918 he became a director of photography in Hollywood. His first notable work was on a series of Mae Murray vehicles directed by her husband, Robert Z. Leonard, and in 1925 he accompanied both to MGM, where he remained under contract for the rest of his career. During the 1930s, Marsh was the favorite cameraman of Jeanette MacDonald, who refused to work with anyone else; she starred in both “Sweethearts” and “Bitter Sweet.” Among his 130 credits are "Kiki" in 1926; "Our Modern Maidens" in 1929; "The Sin of Madelon Claudet" in 1931; "Rain" in 1932; "The Merry Widow" in 1934; "David Copperfield" in 1934; "A Tale of Two Cities" in 1935; "The Great Ziegfeld" and "San Francisco" in 1936; "The Firefly", "Maytime", and "Rosalie" in 1937; "The Women" in 1939; and "Lady Be Good" in 1941. Marsh was slated to shoot the MacDonald musical "Smilin' Through" in 1941 when he suddenly died of a heart attack at the age of 48. His son was jazz saxophonist Warne Marsh.
Cinematographer. He is remembered as an award-winning American cinematographer, who was known for his glossy, glamorous style that helped define the "look" of MGM Studios films in the 1930s. He and Allen Davey were recipients of a special Academy Award for the early color photography in the 1938 film "Sweethearts," and again the two received an Oscar nomination in the category of the Best Cinematography for the 1940 film "Bitter Sweet”. Several members of his family were involved in the film industry including his sister, Mae Marsh, who was an actress. In 1918 he became a director of photography in Hollywood. His first notable work was on a series of Mae Murray vehicles directed by her husband, Robert Z. Leonard, and in 1925 he accompanied both to MGM, where he remained under contract for the rest of his career. During the 1930s, Marsh was the favorite cameraman of Jeanette MacDonald, who refused to work with anyone else; she starred in both “Sweethearts” and “Bitter Sweet.” Among his 130 credits are "Kiki" in 1926; "Our Modern Maidens" in 1929; "The Sin of Madelon Claudet" in 1931; "Rain" in 1932; "The Merry Widow" in 1934; "David Copperfield" in 1934; "A Tale of Two Cities" in 1935; "The Great Ziegfeld" and "San Francisco" in 1936; "The Firefly", "Maytime", and "Rosalie" in 1937; "The Women" in 1939; and "Lady Be Good" in 1941. Marsh was slated to shoot the MacDonald musical "Smilin' Through" in 1941 when he suddenly died of a heart attack at the age of 48. His son was jazz saxophonist Warne Marsh.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
Inscription
OLIVER T. MARSH
1893 1941
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Marsh memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
