John Arthur Morrill

Movies

Odd Birds
Cinematography
In 1965, an Asian-American girl wants to be an actress despite the odds. Her mother thinks it's just a silly dream. However, her quirky middle-aged high school teacher decides to help her try out for a Broadway musical.
The Day Time Ended
Director of Photography
A small family relocates to the Sonoran Desert, to be closer to the grandparents of the family. Though there are news reports of a spectacular triple supernova, and the young granddaughter has seen a glowing alien construction behind the barn, the family is at ease until, one night, a UFO soars over head and appears to land in the nearby hills. Apparently, the triple supernova has opened a rift in space and time.
The Dark
Director of Photography
At night the Mangler stalks the streets of Los Angeles, killing and mutilating random victims. On the trail are a TV reporter, the father of one of the victims, and a police detective, but despite their efforts only the mysterious psychic DeRenzy knows what the killer is and how to stop it.
Kingdom of the Spiders
Director of Photography
Investigating the mysterious deaths of a number of farm animals, vet Rack Hansen discovers that his town lies in the path of hordes of migrating tarantulas. Before he can take action, the streets are overrun by killer spiders, trapping a small group of townsfolk in a remote hotel.
Mr. Sycamore
Cinematography
Jason Robards is a man who decides he'd rather be a tree.
A Boy and His Dog
Director of Photography
Set in the year 2024 in post-apocalyptic America, 18-year old Vic and his telepathic dog, Blood, are scavengers in the desolate wilderness ravaged by World War IV, where survivors must battle for food and shelter in the desert-like wasteland. Vic and Blood eke out a meager existence, foraging for food and fighting gangs of cutthroats.
Truck Stop Women
Director of Photography
A mother and daughter who run a brothel for truckers fight back when the Mafia tries to take over their operation.
Steel Arena
Director of Photography
Dusty Russell shows off his talent as the greatest daredevil on the circuit. Later, he awaits the biggest challenge of his career.
Toothache of the Clown
Cinematography
A story of a circus clown with a toothache dramatizes the need for proper dental care. The dentist's work of repairing the cavity is demonstrated. For elementary grades. Part of the "Joy of Growing" series.
The Brotherhood of Satan
Director of Photography
A family is trapped in a desert town by a cult of senior-citizens who recruit the town's children to worship Satan.
My Name Is John Ford, I Make Westerns
Camera Operator
Interview with film director John Ford. A 30-minute edited version first aired on the BBC TV program "Film Night." The complete unedited 72-minute interview appears on the Criterion Collection 2010 release of STAGECOACH.
Savage Intruder
Cinematography
An enigmatic young man manipulates his way into working at the decaying mansion of a once prolific, but now reclusive and alcoholic, movie star named Katharine Packard. While the rest of the house staff become suspicious of Vic's intentions, the aging movie queen is smitten. But as Vic begins behaving in more and more erratic ways, it becomes clear that he's far more sinister than his demeanor implies.
The Witchmaker
Director of Photography
A psychic researcher and his assistants investigate a series of murders of beautiful young women.
The Quick and the Dead
Director of Photography
A small group of soldiers capture a German observation post, but in turn are captured themselves. They soon escape and--with the aid of two women--try to fight their way to safety.
The Exiles
Director of Photography
The story of one night in the lives of a group of young Native American men and women who have left their reservations and are now living in the Bunker Hill district of Los Angeles.
Hell Squad
Director of Photography
During World War II, a squad of five American soldiers become lost in Tunisia and are killed one by one in fights with German units. Finally only one man, Private Russo, is left, in the midst of a mine field, together with a German officer, locked in a stalemate. Russo has water, while the German claims to have a map revealing the mine positions. So Russo agrees to swap water for the map, but the German officer tries to double-cross him. This was Burt Topper's debut film, made on 16mm on weekends together with some friends in Indio, California. It was also Wally Campo's debut film, as well as script supervisor Joyce King's.