Phil Karlson Artwork valuations, appraisals and auction estimates

Phil Karlson (1908 - 1982) was an American director. Later known as a film noir specialist, Karlson directed 99 River Street, Kansas City Confidential and Hell's Island, all starring actor John Payne, in the early 1950s. Read the full biography

Phil Karlson (1908 - 1982) was an American director. Later known as a film noir specialist, Karlson directed 99 River Street, Kansas City Confidential and Hell's Island, all starring actor John Payne, in the early 1950s. He attended Marshall High School and studied painting at the Art Institute of Chicago. He initially tried to make a living as a singer and dancer, but was unsuccessful. He then studied law, at his father's request, at Loyola Marymount University in California. Taking part-time jobs at Universal Pictures, he came to prominence as a former gag man (for Buster Keaton), propman, studio manager and assistant director. The leap to directing came with his first feature film in 1944. Karlson thus began producing gritty crime melodramas known for their realistic details and graphic violence in the 1950s. Among these stand out "Scandal Sheet" (1952), "99 River Street" (1953) and three films from 1955: "Tight Spot"; "Five against the house"; and "The Phenix City Story" (in which the lead actor wore the real clothes of the murder victim on whose story the film was based). Although he received some critical attention and developed something of a cult following, Karlson remained a B-list director for the duration of his career. He scored a box office hit in 1973 with "Walking Tall."