Maurice Prather, American photographer and director (b. 1926)

Maurice William Prather (September 6, 1926 – January 9, 2001) was a distinguished American visual artist, recognized for his profound contributions as a motion picture and still photographer, as well as a skilled film director. Born in the vibrant city of Miami, Florida, Maurice Jr. was the son of Maurice J. Prather, a versatile tradesman skilled as a mechanic, cabinet maker, and woodworker, and Zora M. Prather, both of whom hailed from Missouri. He shared his early life with a younger sister, Laura Jo, who was approximately two years his junior.

By 1930, the Prather family had relocated to Kansas City, Missouri, a burgeoning industrial hub where his father secured employment at a local establishment known as Greenwood's. It was during his senior year of high school that Maurice Jr.'s burgeoning interest in photography took root. This passion quickly translated into practical experience, as he secured an after-school position as an assistant cameraman and laboratory technician at the Calvin Company in Kansas City. At the time, the Calvin Company stood as the largest production entity worldwide specializing in industrial films – a genre encompassing corporate training, promotional, and educational content designed for businesses and organizations, not theatrical release.

Upon reaching the age of 18 in 1944, a pivotal year during World War II, Prather charted an unconventional course unlike many American men who joined the armed forces. While historical records suggest a possible physical condition prevented his military service, Prather dedicated his photographic talents to the war effort from the home front. He initially found work as a photographer of wartime airplanes for North American Aviation in Kansas City, a major manufacturer of iconic aircraft suchs as the B-25 Mitchell bomber. In 1945, his expertise led him to Trans World Airlines (TWA), a prominent airline with a significant hub in Kansas City for many years, where he served as an engineering photographer. Still residing with his parents in Kansas City, Prather subsequently returned to the Calvin Company from 1946 to 1948, resuming his role as an assistant cameraman for industrial films. This two-year period marked his longest continuous employment during these formative years in Kansas City. Intriguingly, he then temporarily diverged from his photographic path, taking on a one-year stint as a schedule clerk at a Sears-Roebuck department store in Kansas City. However, his intellectual curiosity soon led him to pursue higher education, and in 1949, he enrolled in the journalism program at the University of Kansas (KU) in Lawrence, Kansas, a field that complemented his visual storytelling inclinations.

The Centron Years and Artistic Development

During his academic tenure at the University of Kansas, Prather secured a crucial part-time position at the local Centron Corporation film studio. Here, he continued to hone his skills, working once again as a photographer on educational and industrial short films. His college life was multifaceted; beyond his studies, Prather contributed to the University Daily Kansan newspaper at KU and collaborated with several other students to write and photograph a "highlight book" commemorating the 1951-52 season of the revered KU Jayhawks basketball team. After completing his journalism degree in June 1953, Prather immediately transitioned to a full-time role at Centron. His nearly decade-long commitment to Centron proved immensely productive, as he contributed to the creation of over one hundred educational and industrial films, many of which garnered prestigious industry awards. Beyond his core work in motion picture and still photography, Prather also took on sound recording for films and progressively began directing them. It was during this pivotal period at Centron that Prather met his future wife, Rozanne, whom he married in the late 1950s. He also forged a significant professional connection with director Herk Harvey, a collaboration that would prove instrumental later in his career.

The Iconic *Carnival of Souls* and Entrepreneurial Ventures

In 1959, a new chapter unfolded for Prather when Centron's camera shop, Mosser-Wolf Cameras, was acquired by Prather and several business partners. They subsequently opened Photon Cameras, a successful retail store specializing in cameras and a complementary portrait studio. Prather served as an owner-operator of Photon Cameras until his departure from Lawrence in 1962, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit alongside his artistic pursuits. A landmark achievement in his career came in 1961 when Prather served as the cinematographer for Herk Harvey's independent feature film, Carnival of Souls. Produced in Lawrence, Kansas, this low-budget, black-and-white film would later achieve cult status, celebrated for its groundbreaking cinematography and surreal atmosphere, which profoundly influenced the horror and science fiction film genres. Despite its innovative visuals, Carnival of Souls initially struggled to find an audience, only gaining significant recognition and a dedicated following after its rediscovery in 1989, largely through home video releases and critical reappraisal.

By the time Carnival of Souls was released in late 1962, Prather and his wife had moved from Lawrence to Kansas City. There, he took on the role of services coordinator and photographer for Horizon Productions, a smaller, Kansas City-based studio specializing in nontheatrical film production – a category distinct from mainstream cinema, focusing on industrial, educational, or documentary works. In 1967, Prather transitioned to Coleman Film Enterprises, another educational film company headquartered in Shawnee Mission, Kansas. He continued his work as a photographer there until 1977, when he and his wife, now parents to two daughters, Anne and Stefanie, decided to relocate to California. In Hollywood, Prather attempted to establish a career in the mainstream filmmaking industry, but his efforts met with limited success.

Reflecting on this period in a candid 2000 interview in Kansas City, following the resurgence of interest in Carnival of Souls, Prather shared, "My wife and I had lived in California and really didn't feel like moving back there. I did a lot of movie work and all of the still work for Centron. I prefer to do still photography. I came here to Kansas City [in 1983] and I got out of the motion picture business because it was too expensive. A lot of the stuff I did was food photography. I love food photography. I also did portraits to please myself, not to please the person I was photographing. You get a little old lady saying, 'Make me look like I'm 20 years old.'" This quote vividly illustrates Prather's artistic integrity and his profound preference for the control and intimacy offered by still photography, particularly his passion for food photography and his distinctive approach to portraiture.

Legacy and Lasting Impact

The unexpected revival of interest in his seminal feature film, Carnival of Souls, during the 1990s came as a pleasant surprise to Prather. However, for reasons unknown, he did not attend the 1989 reunion of the film's cast and crew in Lawrence, despite being prominently advertised and listed in event programs as one of the featured speakers during the ceremonies. Maurice William Prather passed away at the age of 74 on January 9, 2001, at his home in Kansas City. While the official cause of death remained unspecified, it was most likely attributed to renal failure. Nevertheless, Prather's enduring legacy is firmly established and widely praised, particularly for his innovative and creative photography in Carnival of Souls. The film continues to captivate audiences, being viewed in homes and theaters and aired on television, an extraordinary feat for a low-budget, black-and-white film from the 1960s. Remarkably, after nearly forty years, Carnival of Souls defied the typical fate of such productions, which are often forgotten after just a few years, cementing Prather's contribution to its timeless, unsettling visual appeal and cult status.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maurice William Prather

What was Maurice William Prather known for?

Maurice William Prather was primarily known as an American motion picture and still photographer and film director, most notably for his groundbreaking cinematography in the cult horror film Carnival of Souls (1962).

What was Prather's role in Carnival of Souls?

Maurice W. Prather served as the cinematographer (photographer) for Herk Harvey's independent feature film, Carnival of Souls, contributing significantly to its distinct, surreal, and atmospheric visual style.

Why is Carnival of Souls considered influential?

Carnival of Souls is considered influential for its innovative low-budget cinematography, eerie atmosphere, and psychological horror elements, which inspired later filmmakers in the horror and science fiction genres, despite its initial obscurity.

Where did Maurice W. Prather work during his career?

Throughout his career, Maurice W. Prather worked at notable Kansas City-area film production companies such as the Calvin Company, Centron Corporation, Horizon Productions, and Coleman Film Enterprises. He also briefly attempted a Hollywood career and ran his own camera retail and portrait studio, Photon Cameras.

Did Maurice Prather serve in the military during World War II?

No, Maurice Prather did not join the armed forces during World War II, possibly due to a physical condition. Instead, he contributed to the war effort as a photographer for North American Aviation and Trans World Airlines (TWA).

What was Prather's preferred type of photography later in his career?

Later in his career, Maurice Prather preferred still photography over motion pictures, citing its cost and his artistic preference. He particularly enjoyed food photography and taking portraits for his own artistic satisfaction rather than solely to please the subject.