Born Johann Altmann in Sopron, Austria-Hungary (now Hungary), in the Americas from 1924 and starting out as a lab technician at MGM, Alton shot his first films in Argentina in the 1930s and began his prolific Hollywood career (over 80 films) with COURAGEOUS DR. CHRISTIAN (1940). He demonstrated a masterful command of chiaroscuro with his work for Anthony Mann (T-MEN, 1947; RAW DEAL and HE WALKED BY NIGHT, both 1948; BORDER INCIDENT and REIGN OF TERROR, both 1949; and DEVIL'S DORWAY, 1950). In the following decade Alton shot a series of films for Allan Dwan (DRIFTWOOD, 1947; SILVER LODE and PASSION, both 1954; TENNESSEE'S PARTNER, PEARL OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC, ESCAPE TO BURMA and CATTLE QUEEN OF MONTANA, all 1955; and SLIGHTLY SCARLET, 1956), as well as five of Vincente Minnelli's glossy MGM productions (FATHER OF THE BRIDE, 1950; FATHER'S LITTLE DIVIDEND and AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, both 1951; TEA AND SYMPATHY, 1956; and DESIGNING WOMAN, 1957). Other credits include THE TEAHOUSE OF THE AUGUST MOON (1956), THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV and LONELYHEARTS (both 1958), 12 TO THE MOON and ELMER GANTRY (both 1960) and the television series "Mission: Impossible." He is the author of Painting with Light (1949).  Cinematography (Color) 1951: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS - Ballet Photography (w. Alfred Gilks) 1 nomination, 1 Award