The Thief of Bagdad (1940)

He dropped out of a Burbank, CA, high school at 15 to become an assistant to his father, William Butler, a special and optical effects director for Warner Bros. He later worked for producer Alexander Korda in England, then in the US, winning an Academy Award for the marvelous special effects of THE THIEF OF BAGDAD (1940). After a brief stint at Warners during WW II, he joined Columbia, where he headed the special effects department for nearly three decades. Visit the Internet Movie Database to view Butler's credits, which stretch from 1936 until 1971.  Special Effects 1940: THE THIEF OF BAGDAD - Photographic  Nominated for Special Effects 1941: THAT HAMILTON WOMAN - Photographic  Nominated for Special Effects 1942: JUNGLE BOOK - Photographic  Nominated for Special Effects 1945: A THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS - Photographic  Scientific or Technical Awards (Class III) 1975: "For the concept of applying low inertia and stepping electric motors to film transport systems and optical printers for motion-picture production." (w. Roger Banks) 4 nominations, 1 Award, 1 Scientific/Technical Award