Wilhelm Roth was a German-born film director and cinematographer who had a career spanning nearly 40 years. Born in Berlin in 1902, Roth began his career as a newsreel cameraman, working for the German-based UFA newsreel company. After working as a news cameraman for several years, Roth moved into the world of feature-length films, starting out as a cinematographer before becoming a director in 1927.
Roth directed several silent films during the late 1920s and early 1930s, including Der Himmel über Berlin (1930) and Der Flieger vom Montblanc (1931). His films were well-received by both critics and audiences, and he quickly established himself as one of the leading figures in German cinema.
In 1933, Roth moved to the United States to escape German censorship and to pursue a career in Hollywood. He worked as a cinematographer on several films, including The Invisible Man (1933), before directing his first Hollywood film, Danger Ahead (1935). Over the following years, Roth directed a number of films in various genres, including dramas, comedies, and adventure films.
While in Hollywood, Roth also worked as a second unit director on several major productions, including Gone with the Wind (1939) and The Wizard of Oz (1939). Roth also worked with legendary director Alfred Hitchcock on several of his films, including Rebecca (1940) and Spellbound (1945).
Roth returned to Germany in 1950, and he continued to work as a director and cinematographer until his death in 1962. During his career, Roth directed more than 50 films, and he was an influential figure in both German and Hollywood cinema. Roth was known for his attention to detail and his ability to create visually stunning films. His films have stood the test of time, and many of them are still considered classics of both German and Hollywood cinema.
