ABOUT

Harry Johnson was a film illustrator for Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer studios and 20th Century Fox. As a film illustrator, he envisioned the way the set was supposed to look so the production designer could bring it to life. Known for his spontaneity and fast sketches. he helped design beloved films of the time such as Saturday's Hero, Marie Antoinette and Gaslight. He worked under noted art director Cedric Gibbons in the 1930s and 1940s. From the 1950s onward, he was a Disney lmagineer and is credited with designing parts of Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A

1938

MARIE ANTOINETTE

Marie Antoinette is released. The film itself cost $2. 9 million dollars, an enormous budget for the time period. It featured an expensive array of costumes and set designs, inspired by actual French fashion and architecture of the time. The film's costumes are among the most expensive in film history. Johnson illustrated for the film. It was later nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction for Cedric Gibbons.

1944

GASLIGHT

Gaslight is released.Johnson's charcoal sketches contributed to the look of the film. The film is known for it's exquisite Victorian-era set, attributed to Paul Huldschinsky. Huldschinsky along with Gibbons and several others won Oscars for best Art Direction.

1945

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GREY

Drawings done by Harry Johnson

Oscar for Best Cinematography

Nominated for 2 Oscars: Best Actress in Supporting Role, Best Art Direction - Interior Decoration Black and White

Summary: A naïve young man. A lovelorn artist. A corruptible Lord. A deal with the Devil. It all paints a picture of a Victorian London and how the rich and infamous party at their peril. Here, the telling of time and its consequence of experience for life’s treasures’ takes it toll on the body, mind and soul. The haunting and bleak tale of power, greed, vanity and inevitable self-destruction is ever present amongst the deceit, opium dens and sin.

1953

DISNEY IMAGINEER

In the early 1950's, Johnson began working for Disney as an imagineer. His friend and mentor, Herbert D. Ryman pulled him from the film industry to Disney. Johnson was known for his rough charcoal sketches. Disney required his work to be more precise and so allowed him to take his time. He drew the very first sketches of Disneyland's Main Street, U.S.A.