Posted on 11/04/2004 9:56:28 AM PST by NormsRevenge
ORANGE, Calif. (AP) - Charles F. Wheeler, a cinematographer who was nominated for an Academy Award for his work on the World War II film "Tora! Tora! Tora!", has died. He was 88.
Wheeler died Oct. 28 at a nursing home in Orange after suffering a stroke several weeks earlier, his daughter Constance Faber said. He had suffered from Alzheimer's disease for several years, she said.
Wheeler relied on his own experiences as a Navy combat photographer when leading five camera crews shooting "Tora! Tora! Tora!", a 1970 film about the attack on Pearl Harbor. Serving in the Pacific during World War II, Wheeler had helped document the Japanese surrender aboard the battleship Missouri in 1945.
"He knew what it was like to be on a carrier, he knew what it was like to be under incoming fire," said Faber, who was on set during filming. "He knew what the visceral experience of that would be for someone."
Wheeler rode a bicycle between the crews who shot simultaneously from different locations, Faber said.
Born in Memphis, Tenn., Wheeler spent most of his life in Los Angeles, where he played polo for University of Southern California. He happened into his first job, as an apprentice cameraman for Disney, after meeting Walt and Roy Disney at a polo field.
He worked as a cameraman for more than a half-century, on films including "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" (1963) and "Silent Running" (1972). He was nominated for an Emmy for the 1975 television movie "Babe."
In addition to his daughter, Wheeler is survived by his wife, Dianne, and a grandson, Seth Faber.
Tora! Tora! Tora! - The Pearl Harbor movie that didn't suck.
That's weird. As I was pouring coffee this morning I was thinking how I'd like to watch "Tora Tora Tora" again.
That is the first movie I ever saw in a theater. I was 4, and fascinated by it. I have seen it several times since. Sad day.
What a great movie! Showing our history.
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