Bernard B. Ray's photo

Bernard B. Ray

Born: 1895-11-18 in Moscow, Russian Empire [now Russia]

Died: 1964-12-10

Known For: Directing

Biography

Bernard B. Ray was born Benjamin Shamrayevsky on November 18, 1895 in Moscow, Russia. He and his family immigrated to the U. S. in the early 1900s, settled in New York City, and during this period, the family surname got shortened to "Shamroy". Despite his lack of formal education he found constant work in the movie business starting with Biograph and then D. W. Griffith and Mutual Film Corporation. He worked primarily as a camera operator, but also did film editing and lab work. Eventually he formed Reliable Pictures with Harry S. Webb in 1933. Known for it's cheap westerns starring cowboys such as Tom Tyler, Reliable lasted a until 1938 when Monogram Pictures absorbed it. It was at Reliable that B.B. Ray became a director and known for his western features. After Reliable was gone he attempted to make exploitation and "black" pictures before returning to B-Westerns until the 50's. Bernard B. Ray passed away December 10, 1964 at the Motion Picture Home and Hospital, Woodland Hills, California.

Filmography

1954

1950

1947

1942

1941

1940

1939

1938

1937

1936

1935

1934

1933

1931

1928

1926