Noted Italian cinematographer G.R. Aldo (born Aldo Graziati) began his film career as an actor in French films, but soon gave up that profession. He kept his hand in the film business, however, becoming a still photographer, a position he kept for nearly 20 years. His eye was always on becoming a cinematographer, though, and to that end he worked his way up to assistant cameraman, then camera operator, until he finally secured the position of full-fledged cinematographer. He shot Die Erde bebt (1948) to great critical acclaim. He worked with the finest of Italian directors, such as Vittorio De Sica and Luchino Visconti, and was responsible for the photography on such classics as Umberto D. (1952), Das Wunder von Mailand (1951) and Rom, Station Termini (1953).
