Hollywood cinematographer Gregg Toland (1904-1948) was the man who gave Citizen Kane its haunting, distinctive look. Toland's pioneering work in deep-focus photography brought a new level of realism to movies, giving sharp detail to all the characters in a scene.

In the 1930s and 1940s, Toland was recognized as Hollywood's most inventive and creative cinematographer. His innovations in soundproofing cameras, lighting and focusing set a high technical standard for generations of filmmakers. His brilliant compositions contributed heavily to making Citizen Kane the top film of all time on most movie critics' lists.

Quick Rise in Hollywood

Toland was born in Charleston, Illinois, in the prairie lands of southern Illinois. From a young age, he was captivated with the emerging American film industry. He moved to Hollywood as a teenager after studying electrical engineering and working with crude cameras as a hobby. At age 15, Toland landed a job as...