Howard Hawks
Film director · 2 films (1948–1959)
Howard Hawks is a director whose work here spans Red River (1948) to Rio Bravo (1959), in western. 2 of those films were photographed by Russell Harlan. All 124 frames from 2 films are indexed here, searchable by lighting, lens, shot size, colour and mood.
Howard Winchester Hawks was an American film director, producer and screenwriter of the classic Hollywood era. He is popular for his films from a wide range of genres, including screwball comedies [Bringing Up Baby (1938), His Girl Friday (1940), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)], westerns [Red River (1948), Rio Bravo (1959), El Dorado (1967)], adventure films [Only Angels Have Wings (1939), To Have and Have Not (1944)], films noirs [The Big Sleep (1946)] and gangster films [Scarface (1932)].
Born 30 May 1896 · Goshen, Indiana, USA · died 26 December 1977
Directing style
Hawks establishes a grounded, democratic perspective by keeping his camera locked almost exclusively at eye level, favoring medium shots that prioritize character blocking and group dynamics over dramatic closeups or extreme wide shots. This human-scale framing is rendered through a split of crisp black-and-white and rich, warm-toned Western palettes dominated by earthy ochres, deep browns, and stark blacks. Lighting is strictly motivated, relying on direct sunlight for vast exteriors and practical lamps or firelight to carve intimate, shallow-depth-of-field spaces out of the night, reinforcing a tense and isolated atmosphere.
Awards
- Academy Honorary Award · 1975
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Films directed by Howard Hawks
About Howard Hawks
When was Howard Hawks born?
Howard Hawks was born on 30 May 1896 in Goshen, Indiana, USA and died on 26 December 1977.
What films has Howard Hawks directed?
FrameThrower holds stills from 2 of them: Red River (1948) and Rio Bravo (1959).
What awards has Howard Hawks won?
Academy Honorary Award (1975) and star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Search every frame of Howard Hawks’s films
All 124 indexed frames from 2 films directed by Howard Hawks — searchable by lighting, lens, shot size, mood or plain language.