Val Lewton

Producer

About

Also Known As

Cosmo Forbes, Carlos Keith, Vladimir Ivan Hofschneider

Birth Place

Russia

Born

May 07, 1904

Died

March 14, 1951

Cause of Death

Heart Attack

Biography

Versatile and prolific writer of novels, nonfiction and poetry who entered film as a protege of David O. Selznick in the early 1930s. Lewton went on to produce a number of stylish, low-budget horror films for RKO, notably the atmospheric "Cat People" (1942), the engagingly macabre "I Walked With A Zombie" (1943) and the chilling "Bedlam" (1946)....

Filmography

A Tale of Two Cities (1935)

Revolutionary War seq Arrangements by

The Body Snatcher (1945)

Written for Screen by

Apache Drums (1951)

Producer

Please Believe Me (1950)

Producer

My Own True Love (1949)

Producer

Bedlam (1946)

Producer

Photos & Videos

View All

Cat People (1942) -- (Movie Clip) That's What Makes Me Dangerous

Mademoiselle Fifi (1944) -- (Movie Clip) In Occupied France

Family & Companions

Ruth Lewton

Wife

Married in 1929.

Bibliography

"Val Lewton: The Reality of Terror"

Joel Siegel, Viking (1984)

"Yasmine"

Val Lewton

Biography

Filmography

Life Events

1909

Immigrated to the USA

1928

With MGM publicity department

1942

Produced "Cat People"

Photo Collections

The Seventh Victim - Movie Posters

Here are some original-release American movie poster for RKO's The Seventh Victim (1943), produced by Val Lewton.

Isle of the Dead - Scene Stills

Here are a number of scene stills from RKO's Isle of the Dead (1945), starring Boris Karloff, directed by Mark Robson, and produced by Val Lewton.

The Ghost Ship - Movie Posters

Here are a few American movie posters for Val Lewton's The Ghost Ship (1943), starring Richard Dix.

The Leopard Man - Publicity Stills

The following are publicity stills for the RKO horror film The Leopard Man (1943). Publicity stills were specially-posed photos, usually taken off the set, for purposes of publicity or reference for promotional artwork.

Leopard Man - Poster Art

Here in black-and-white are some sample poster art images from RKO's The Leopard Man (1943), produced by Val Lewton.

Bedlam - Publicity Stills

Here are a few publicity stills from Val Lewton's Bedlam (1946), starring Boris Karloff and Anna Lee. Publicity stills were specially-posed photos, usually taken off the set, for purposes of publicity or reference for promotional artwork.

Cat People - Theater Displays

Here are photos of theater marquees and lobby displays decorated for RKO's Cat People (1942). Studio publicity departments regularly chronicled the more elaborate publicity campaigns and theater decorations for their records.

I Walked with a Zombie - Movie Posters

Here are a few original American movie posters for Val Lewton's I Walked with a Zombie (1943).

Isle of the Dead - Lobby Card

Here is a Lobby Card from RKO's Isle of the Dead (1945), produced by Val Lewton and starring Boris Karloff..

Cat People - Simone Simon Publicity Stills

Here are several stills of Simone Simon, taken to publicize RKO's Cat People (1942), produced by Val Lewton. Publicity stills were specially-posed photos, usually taken off the set, for purposes of publicity or reference for promotional artwork.

The Body Snatcher - Publicity Stills

Here are a few publicity stills taken for RKO's The Body Snatcher (1945), produced by Val Lewton and starring Boris Karloff. Publicity stills were specially-posed photos, usually taken off the set, for purposes of publicity or reference for promotional artwork.

The Curse of the Cat People - Behind-the-Scenes Photo

Here is a photo taken behind-the-scenes during production of RKO's The Curse of the Cat People (1944), produced by Val Lewton and directed by Robert Wise.

Cat People - Behind-the-Scenes Photo

Here is a photo taken behind-the-scenes during production of RKO's Cat People (1942), directed by Jacques Tourneur and starring Simone Simon.

The Body Snatcher - Movie Poster

Here is the American One-Sheet Movie Poster from The Body Snatcher (1945). One-sheets measured 27x41 inches, and were the poster style most commonly used in theaters.

The Curse of the Cat People - Lobby Card

Here is a lobby card from RKO's Curse of the Cat People (1944), produced by Val Lewton. Lobby Cards were 11" x 14" posters that came in sets of 8. As the name implies, they were most often displayed in movie theater lobbies, to advertise current or coming attractions.

Bedlam - Lobby Card

Here is a lobby card from RKO's Bedlam (1946), produced by Val Lewton and starring Boris Karloff. Lobby Cards were 11" x 14" posters that came in sets of 8. As the name implies, they were most often displayed in movie theater lobbies, to advertise current or coming attractions.

The Leopard Man - Scene Stills

Here are a number of scene stills from Val Lewton's The Leopard Man (1943).