Floyd Crosby checked into the Inn on June 6, 1942. Crosby was a renowned cinematographer. He had begun his career at the New York Stock Exchange, but in 1927 he left to do film work on an expedition, which launched a multi-decade career in the film industry.
When he checked into the Inn in 1942, he and a crew were likely shooting on location in the Great Smoky Mountains region for a movie project, perhaps the documentary “The Land” which chronicled the effect of The Great Depression on American agriculture.
Crosby had won an Oscar for Best Cinematography for the 1931 movie “Tabu: A Story Of the South Seas”.
He won a Golden Globe for Cinematography for the 1952 Western classic “High Noon” starring Gary Cooper.
He worked with director Roger Corman on several films including “The Man With The X-Ray Eyes”. His work with Corman in the 1950’s and 1960’s led to his highest level of commercial success, largely directing photography on various horror and science fiction movies. In interviews conducted with Corman in later years, he gushed about Crosby’s speed and professionalism.
One of his final movies was the 1967 stock car (remember when it was called “stock car racing”?) movie “Fireball 500” starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello (we bet they managed a good bikini shot somewhere in the movie). Crosby retired from the film industry in 1970.
Despite all his success, Floyd Crosby might now best be known for being the father of legendary musician David Crosby (The Byrds, Crosby Stills & Nash).