Barney Wolff(1894-1989)
- Special Effects
Barney was born in Germantown Wisconsin on June 4th, 1894 to Fredrick
and Margaret Leeds Wolff, in a family of 10 children. He began life as
the son of a drayage, wood and coal dealer who felt that his children
should learn the basics of education (reading, writing and arithmetic)
and follow in his fathers footsteps in the family business. Moving to
South Park, Seattle in 1898 without completing a formal education, this
young boy was soon to become intrigued by adventure and leave home at
the age of 14 in order to discover the world and make a life for
himself. First as a cook on board a train and later as a powder monkey
(explosives technician), in the early mining fields of Goldfield
Nevada, he developed the personality and skills that would later guide
him through life and earn him the respect and admiration of all those
who knew him. He developed and mastered skills as a professional boxer,
cook, carpenter, mechanic and pilot, due to an attitude that no task
was too difficult for Barney Wolf.
Early in life Barney took a bride, Madeline, and he was blessed with a lovely daughter Madeline Ora. Sadly however, his sense of adventure and exploration led to separation and divorce, though he always cared for and did his best to provide for those in his life.
He was always willing to help his fellow man regardless of difficulty or hardship to himself, a characteristic that was later to lead him to a marriage of over 63 years. He met a young girl traveling with her sister on a desolate road in the Mojave Desert, who had the good fortune to have had an automobile breakdown when Barney Wolff was there to help. After repairing their car and offering them lodging for the night, a long distance mail romance resulted in the marriage of Barney to Goldie Pearl Sutherland. This marriage produced 2 children, Monte Richard Wolff born in 1929 and passed away in 1932 at the age of 3; and Larry Allen Wolff born in 1934 and passed away in 1999 at the age of 65.
In 1925 "Barney Wolff" began a new career in the motion picture business and soon earned the respect of the industry as the man who could do the difficult immediately and the impossible in just a little bit longer. This career spanned nearly 50 years and achieved new heights in special and dramatic effects in the early years of the movie industry. He was not star-struck and never bragged about his career even though he worked with some of Hollywood's biggest stars. His complete history in film is still being pieced together, but he worked on perhaps as many as 150 films during Hollywood's "Golden Years". Barney's professionalism, toughness and work ethic earned him the respect of his fellow crew as well as that of the actors with whom he worked. Alan Ladd called Barney "the best damned powder man in the business." William Bendix once said to Barney, "you can blow me up anytime kid!" That kind of trust and respect was not granted lightly; it was earned, and it was deserved. He became an expert in his field that people in the industry looked to for advice. In articles for trade magazines and newspapers he gladly shared his knowledge and expertise with others who could benefit from his experience.
Barney Wolff was best known by his friends as the man who was always there to help when needed. His family knew him as a loving and devoted husband, a caring father, and a grandfather whose love, understanding and patience was second to none. He has left his mark on this world in the memory of all who knew him, learned from him, and benefited from his example, guidance, and direction. None who knew him cannot say that their lives have been greatly enriched for having known Barney Wolff.
Barney passed away on June 25, 1989 at the Motion Picture Hospital in Woodland Hills California at the age of 95. His name was not well known outside the movie industry, but it was on his shoulders that the giants of Hollywood stood during this wonderful era!
He is survived by a daughter from his first marriage Madeline Dawes and her children David and Daniel, and by his wife Goldie Wolff and two grandsons Larry Wolff and Lonnie Wolff from his second marriage. Lonnie Wolff has taken on the task of ensuring that Barney Wolff's contribution to the world of film is recognized and his accomplishments acknowledged.
Early in life Barney took a bride, Madeline, and he was blessed with a lovely daughter Madeline Ora. Sadly however, his sense of adventure and exploration led to separation and divorce, though he always cared for and did his best to provide for those in his life.
He was always willing to help his fellow man regardless of difficulty or hardship to himself, a characteristic that was later to lead him to a marriage of over 63 years. He met a young girl traveling with her sister on a desolate road in the Mojave Desert, who had the good fortune to have had an automobile breakdown when Barney Wolff was there to help. After repairing their car and offering them lodging for the night, a long distance mail romance resulted in the marriage of Barney to Goldie Pearl Sutherland. This marriage produced 2 children, Monte Richard Wolff born in 1929 and passed away in 1932 at the age of 3; and Larry Allen Wolff born in 1934 and passed away in 1999 at the age of 65.
In 1925 "Barney Wolff" began a new career in the motion picture business and soon earned the respect of the industry as the man who could do the difficult immediately and the impossible in just a little bit longer. This career spanned nearly 50 years and achieved new heights in special and dramatic effects in the early years of the movie industry. He was not star-struck and never bragged about his career even though he worked with some of Hollywood's biggest stars. His complete history in film is still being pieced together, but he worked on perhaps as many as 150 films during Hollywood's "Golden Years". Barney's professionalism, toughness and work ethic earned him the respect of his fellow crew as well as that of the actors with whom he worked. Alan Ladd called Barney "the best damned powder man in the business." William Bendix once said to Barney, "you can blow me up anytime kid!" That kind of trust and respect was not granted lightly; it was earned, and it was deserved. He became an expert in his field that people in the industry looked to for advice. In articles for trade magazines and newspapers he gladly shared his knowledge and expertise with others who could benefit from his experience.
Barney Wolff was best known by his friends as the man who was always there to help when needed. His family knew him as a loving and devoted husband, a caring father, and a grandfather whose love, understanding and patience was second to none. He has left his mark on this world in the memory of all who knew him, learned from him, and benefited from his example, guidance, and direction. None who knew him cannot say that their lives have been greatly enriched for having known Barney Wolff.
Barney passed away on June 25, 1989 at the Motion Picture Hospital in Woodland Hills California at the age of 95. His name was not well known outside the movie industry, but it was on his shoulders that the giants of Hollywood stood during this wonderful era!
He is survived by a daughter from his first marriage Madeline Dawes and her children David and Daniel, and by his wife Goldie Wolff and two grandsons Larry Wolff and Lonnie Wolff from his second marriage. Lonnie Wolff has taken on the task of ensuring that Barney Wolff's contribution to the world of film is recognized and his accomplishments acknowledged.
