Filmmaker Ronald Neame Dies at 99

British filmmaker Ronald Neame, who turned 99 on April 23, has passed away. He died in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 16th.

Neame could do it all; he was accomplished as a writer, director, cinematographer, special effects artist, and producer. He produced GREAT EXPECTATIONS (1946), which was nominated for Best Picture. He also received Oscar nominations for Best Special Effects for ONE OF OUR AIRCRAFT IS MISSING (1942) and for Best Screenplay for BRIEF ENCOUNTER (1945) and GREAT EXPECTATIONS (1945).

Neame sometimes served in multiple roles on the same film; for instance, he cowrote the screenplay adaptation of Noel Coward's BLITHE SPIRIT (1945) and also served as cinematographer.

Among the films Neame photographed are the classics IN WHICH WE SERVE (1942) and THIS HAPPY BREED (1944). He was an assistant cameraman on Alfred Hitchcock's BLACKMAIL (1929), which is often credited as being England's first sound film. During World War II he contributed aerial footage shot in England to the U.S. production A YANK IN THE R.A.F. (1941).

Neame's directing credits include THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE (1969), THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE (1972), and FIRST MONDAY IN OCTOBER (1981).

London's Daily Telegraph and the Washington Post have obituaries, and there is also a tribute by Ivan at Thrilling Days of Yesteryear.