Alex Phillips
Cinematographer · Died June 14, 1977, aged 76 · Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
Alex Phillips (January 11, 1901 Renfrew, Ontario – June 14, 1977) was a Canadian-born Mexican cinematographer and the father of Alex Phillips, Jr., also a cinematographer. In his youth, his family moved to Russia, but he returned to Canada because of his dislike with the czarist government. He enlisted in the Canadian Army where he met Mary Pickford who introduced him to Hollywood since he expressed his interest in becoming an actor. He auditioned with Fox and Paramount Pictures but was unable to obtain a role. He later approached Christie Comedies where he was advised to look for more stable positions in the movie industry and started his career in cinematography and film editing. He received an opportunity when an assistant fell sick and was able to travel to France with the Canadian Official Photography. After Christie Comedies went bankrupt, he was hired by Samuel Goldwyn while he attended evening classes. He received the opportunity of working with Barnes, Edison and Meyer, and learned techniques such as graduations, tridimensional vision and the sense of potential balance. Phillips then began experimenting with lights and camera movements. He moved to Mexico in 1931 and worked with directors such as Arcady Boytler, Roberto Gavaldón, Julio Bracho and Luis Buñuel. He worked on some of the earliest Mexican movies such as the silent film Santa (1931) where his worked was considered expressionist. He worked in more than 250 movies in Mexico and 150 in the United States including La mujer del puerto (1934), Aventuras de Robinson Crusoe (1952 with Luis Buñuel), La Red (1953 with Emilio Fernández). His last film was El castillo de la pureza (1972 with Arturo Ripstein).
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Biography from TMDB.
- January 11, 1901
- June 14, 1977 (aged 76)
- Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
- Cinematographer
- 41 on MovieCove · 159 credits in all
What are Alex Phillips' films like?
Across their 41 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.
Genres
Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.
Themes
What they feel like to watch
Ironic 0 · Wry 1 · Earnest 40
Light 13 · Serious 14 · Dark 14
A split, not a type: Grounded 26 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 5
Gentle 12 · Charged 21 · Intense 8
Steady 24 · Shifting 17 · Whiplash 0
Straight-faced 28 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 6
Slow burn 20 · Even-paced 20 · Relentless 1
Casual 26 · Engaged 14 · Full focus 1
A split, not a type: Easy watch 17 · Affecting 11 · Heavy 13
Resolved 28 · Open-ended 11 · Ambiguous 2
Moods and endings
- Happy18
- Bittersweet7
- Tragic8
- Ambiguous8
AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.
Where can I watch Alex Phillips' films?
As of October 24, 2026, 28 of their 41 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.
Subscription and free streaming for Alex Phillips' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.
Filmography
159 credits, 41 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.
Golpe de suerte (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)
Dos de abajo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)
Dead Aim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)
The Birthday of the Dog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)
Castle of Purity (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)
Night of 1000 Cats(1972)
Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films
Los cachorros(1972)
Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films
The Fearmaker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Ya Sé Quién Eres (Te He Estado Observando) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
The Moderate Doctor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Santo vs. the Vice Mafia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)
Los años vacíos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)
Remolino de pasiones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)
Andante(1969)
Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Memories of the Future (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)
Corazón salvaje(1968)
Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films
There are not Crosses in the Sea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)
Despedida de casada(1968)
Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
El zángano(1968)
Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
La guerrillera de Villa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)
Damiana and the Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)
La soldadera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)
Estrategia matrimonio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)
Los alegres Aguilares(1967)
Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Alazán y enamorado(1966)
Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Juan Colorado(1966)
Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Time to Die (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)
Black Wind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)
Of Love and Desire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)
La fierecilla del puerto (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)
Little Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)
The Shame of the Sabine Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)
Geronimo(1962)
Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films
La rabia por dentro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)
The Happy Musketeers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)
Rumbo a Brasilia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)
For the Love of Mike(1960)
Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Mi madre es culpable(1960)
Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
The Wonderful Country(1959)
Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films
Los hijos ajenos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)
La caperucita roja(1960)
Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films
Ten Days to Tulara(1958)
Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films
La odalisca No. 13 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)
Villa!! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)
Music of Always (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)
Sierra Baron (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)
Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
School for Buglars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)
Mi desconocida esposa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)
Música en la noche (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)
El diario de mi madre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)
Tizoc(1957)
Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films
Los salvajes(1957)
Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Adam and Eve(1956)
Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films
Ups and Downs(1959)
Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films
Playa prohibida (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)
The Littlest Outlaw(1955)
Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films
María la Voz(1955)
Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
The Two of Us (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)
Untouched (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)
Robinson Crusoe(1954)
Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films
Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films
Reportaje(1953)
Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films
The Net (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)
Adventure in Rio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)
Mujeres que trabajan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)
Quiero vivir(1953)
Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Forgotten Faces (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)
Mujeres sacrificadas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)
Mexican Bus Ride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)
La ausente(1952)
Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Dancing, salón de baile (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)
La mujer que tu quieres (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)
Paraíso robado(1951)
Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Sensualidad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)
In the Palm of Your Hand(1951)
Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films
Desired (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)
My Dear Captain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)
Pecado de ser pobre(1950)
Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Aventurera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)
Perdida (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)
The Love Nest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)
Doña Diabla (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)
Novia a la medida (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)
Coqueta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)
El dolor de los hijos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)
Secreto entre mujeres(1949)
Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Revancha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)
El gallo giro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)
In the Shadow of the Bridge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)
Cortesana(1948)
Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
May God Forgive Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)
The Well-paid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)
Those Who Came Back(1948)
Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
La diosa arrodillada(1947)
Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films
The Other (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)
Mary Magdalene, Sinner of Magdala (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)
El Buen Mozo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)
Pepita Jiménez (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)
Everybody's Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)
The White Monk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)
Vertigo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)
Yours and Body in Soul (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)
Twilight(1945)
Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films
Amok (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)
Gran Hotel(1944)
Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films
Naná (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)
San Francisco de Asís (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)
Miguel Strogoff (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)
Doña Bárbara(1943)
Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films
El Jorobado (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)
Ay, Jalisco, Don't Give Up! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)
El secreto del sacerdote(1941)
Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Hombre o demonio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)
Madre a la fuerza (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)
Viviré otra vez (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)
The Mad Empress (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)
Café Concordia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)
La golondrina (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)
La zandunga(1938)
Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Ojos tapatios (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)
Nobody's Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)
La paloma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)
Ave sin rumbo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)
Don't Fool Yourself Dear(1937)
Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
The Macabre Trunk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)
Marihuana (El monstruo verde) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)
Celos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)
Beyond Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)
Hoy comienza la vida (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)
The Treasure of Pancho Villa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)
The Dressel Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)
Sueño de amor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)
Luponini from Chicago (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)
Cruz Diablo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)
Venganza suprema (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)
Who Killed Eve? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)
Juarez and Maximilian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)
The Woman of the Port (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)
Enemigos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)
The Tiger of Yautepec (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)
Su última canción (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)
Shadow of Pancho Villa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)
Hand to Hand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)
Las águilas frente al sol (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)
Santa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)
Una vida por otra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)
The Nervous Wreck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)
Up in Mabel's Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)
Madame Behave(1925)
Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)Seven Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)
Grandpa's Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)
Hold Your Breath (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)
Reno or Bust (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)
Ride 'Em Cowboy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)
A Perfect 36 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)
Fair Enough (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)
See My Lawyer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)
Career shape
A full career of 152 titles from 1921 to 1992.
Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.
How do Alex Phillips' films land?
Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 50th percentile, the median of all 41; across their 41 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 51st percentile for acclaim.
- 75th and up9
- 50th to 74th12
- 25th to 49th16
- Below 25th4
Shape of the crowd
17 of their 41 titles are Mixed.
- Universally Loved1
- Cult Classic6
- Crowd Pleaser12
- Broadly Agreed5
- Mixed17
Reviewers score the cinematography 63/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 47. The element that speaks to their work as a cinematographer.
Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.
Who does Alex Phillips work with?
People who share at least 2 of Alex Phillips' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Raúl Lavista shares the most, 9.
Directors
- Julio BrachoShared titles: Andante (1969), María la Voz (1955), La ausente (1952), Paraíso robado (1951), Twilight (1945)See all 5 shared titles with Julio Bracho
- George ShermanShared titles: For the Love of Mike (1960), Ten Days to Tulara (1958), The Last of the Fast Guns (1958)See all 3 shared titles with George Sherman
- Miguel M. DelgadoShared titles: Ups and Downs (1959), Gran Hotel (1944), Doña Bárbara (1943)See all 3 shared titles with Miguel M. Delgado
- Alberto GoutShared titles: Adam and Eve (1956), Quiero vivir (1953), Cortesana (1948)See all 3 shared titles with Alberto Gout
Writers
- Luis SpotaShared titles: Mi madre es culpable (1960), Quiero vivir (1953), In the Palm of Your Hand (1951)See all 3 shared titles with Luis Spota
- Ismael RodríguezShared titles: Tizoc (1957), El secreto del sacerdote (1941), Don't Fool Yourself Dear (1937)See all 3 shared titles with Ismael Rodríguez
- Mario A. ZacaríasShared titles: Night of 1000 Cats (1972), El zángano (1968)See all 2 shared titles with Mario A. Zacarías
- Edmundo BáezShared titles: Corazón salvaje (1968), La diosa arrodillada (1947)See all 2 shared titles with Edmundo Báez
Actors
- Arturo de CórdovaShared titles: Reportaje (1953), La ausente (1952), In the Palm of Your Hand (1951), Paraíso robado (1951), La diosa arrodillada (1947), Twilight (1945), El secreto del sacerdote (1941), La zandunga (1938)See all 8 shared titles with Arturo de Córdova
- Elsa CárdenasShared titles: Despedida de casada (1968), Los alegres Aguilares (1967), Juan Colorado (1966), For the Love of Mike (1960)See all 4 shared titles with Elsa Cárdenas
- Pedro ArmendárizShared titles: The Wonderful Country (1959), Los salvajes (1957), The Littlest Outlaw (1955), El secreto del sacerdote (1941)See all 4 shared titles with Pedro Armendáriz
- Víctor Manuel MendozaShared titles: The Wonderful Country (1959), María la Voz (1955), Reportaje (1953), The Proud and the Beautiful (1953)See all 4 shared titles with Víctor Manuel Mendoza
Composers and editors
- Raúl LavistaShared titles: Night of 1000 Cats (1972), Andante (1969), For the Love of Mike (1960), Ups and Downs (1959), Tizoc (1957), La ausente (1952), In the Palm of Your Hand (1951), Those Who Came Back (1948), Twilight (1945)See all 9 shared titles with Raúl Lavista
- Jorge BustosShared titles: Andante (1969), Ups and Downs (1959), Adam and Eve (1956), María la Voz (1955), The Proud and the Beautiful (1953), Paraíso robado (1951), Twilight (1945), Gran Hotel (1944), El secreto del sacerdote (1941)See all 9 shared titles with Jorge Bustos
- Carlos SavageShared titles: Los cachorros (1972), Corazón salvaje (1968), Ten Days to Tulara (1958), Los salvajes (1957), The Littlest Outlaw (1955), Robinson Crusoe (1954)See all 6 shared titles with Carlos Savage
- Alfredo Rosas PriegoShared titles: Night of 1000 Cats (1972), Despedida de casada (1968), Quiero vivir (1953), Pecado de ser pobre (1950), Cortesana (1948)See all 5 shared titles with Alfredo Rosas Priego
Producers
- Salvador ElizondoShared titles: Mi madre es culpable (1960), María la Voz (1955), The Proud and the Beautiful (1953), Paraíso robado (1951)See all 4 shared titles with Salvador Elizondo
- Mauricio de la SernaShared titles: The Proud and the Beautiful (1953), Paraíso robado (1951), Twilight (1945)See all 3 shared titles with Mauricio de la Serna
Mixed roles
- Julián SolerShared titles: Mi madre es culpable (1960), Doña Bárbara (1943)See all 2 shared titles with Julián Soler
- Luis BuñuelShared titles: Robinson Crusoe (1954), The Proud and the Beautiful (1953)See all 2 shared titles with Luis Buñuel
- Víctor UrruchúaShared titles: Secreto entre mujeres (1949), El secreto del sacerdote (1941)See all 2 shared titles with Víctor Urruchúa
