Bernard Vorhaus

Bernard Vorhaus
Born(1904-12-25)December 25, 1904
New York, New York, U.S.
DiedNovember 23, 2000(2000-11-23) (aged 95)
London, UK
EducationHarvard University
OccupationsFilm director, screenwriter, producer
Years active1925–1953

Bernard Vorhaus (December 25, 1904 – November 23, 2000) was an American film director and screenwriter of Austrian heritage, best known for his work in both Hollywood and the United Kingdom. Born in New York City, he was the son of an immigrant father from Kraków.

Vorhaus began his career as a screenwriter and later co-produced the German musical film The Singing City. He established himself in Britain during the 1930s, becoming recognized for producing and directing quota quickies alongside contemporaries such as Michael Powell.

During the post-war era, Vorhaus was blacklisted in Hollywood for alleged communist sympathies. As a result, he returned to England and continued his work in European cinema.[1]

Career

Vorhaus was the son of a lawyer and studied at Harvard University. His sister Amy's work on film scenarios for silent pictures influenced him to become involved in filmmaking. He directed a total of 32 movies and reportedly was an influence on future film director David Lean, some of whose early work as a film editor was on Vorhaus pictures.[2]

He worked steadily as a screenwriter in Hollywood while in his twenties for such studios as Columbia Pictures and Fox Studios but wanted to direct movies. He eventually decided to move to England and began directing quota quickies, such as The Last Journey (1935).[3]

After attaining success in England, Vorhaus moved back to the U.S. and began working at Republic Pictures, directing B-movies. He also worked in the US Army Air Force with their motion picture unit during World War II. He was blacklisted in 1951 because of the hearings conducted by the House Un-American Activities Committee.[4]

Vorhaus had already moved to Europe at that time and directed a few minor films while there. He finally returned to England and retired from the film business. Unlike contemporaries Joseph Losey and Cy Endfield, who were also on the blacklist, he founded a company, Domar Industries, a business specializing in house renovations. When Lean mentioned him as an early influence in 1985, it led to a selection of Vorhaus films to be restored by the National Film and Television Archive to go along with retrospectives.[5]

Personal life

Vorhaus had two children, Gwyn and David. The latter is a bass player and electronic music pioneer who works under the name White Noise.

Selected filmography

References

  1. ^ Robinson, David (December 5, 2000). "Bernard Vourhaus". Obituaries. The Guardian. p. 26.
  2. ^ Oliver, Myrna (December 5, 2000). "Bernard Vorhaus; Director Fell Victim to Blacklisting". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  3. ^ https://www.theguardian.com/news/2000/dec/05/guardianobituaries.filmnews
  4. ^ a b "Film-Noir Thriller 'The Amazing Mr. X' Shimmers with Beautiful Spookery » PopMatters". www.popmatters.com. November 1, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  5. ^ https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-dec-05-me-61380-story.html
  6. ^ The Amazing Mr. X (1948). Retrieved July 2, 2025 – via www.blu-ray.com.
  7. ^ "REVIEW: "THE AMAZING MR. X" (AKA "THE SPIRITUALIST") (1948); FILM DETECTIVE BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION - Cinema Retro". www.cinemaretro.com. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  8. ^ "Film Forum · SO YOUNG, SO BAD". Film Forum. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
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