Although he may not be as widely remembered as some of his contemporaries, cinematographer-turned-director Ronald Neame made important contributions to British cinema in a career that spanned seven decades. Even when he formally retired from making movies, he continued to impart his knowledge teaching classes at UCLA and recording commentary for DVD releases of his earlier work.

It would seem almost an inevitability that this son of pioneer photographer Elwin Neame and actress Ivy Close would seek a career in motion pictures. Following his father's untimely 1927 death, Neame began working,