Wetzel Orson Whitaker, also known as "Judge" (a nickname given to him by his brother as a child), was a pioneer in LDS filmmaking. In 1952 Judge was asked by President Ernest L. Wilkinson to establish a film studio at Brigham Young University. He built up the Film Department from its humble beginnings to the extensive program it is today.
The studio officially began in 1953 and Judge began directing and producing classic LDS films such as: Windows of Heaven; Man's Search for Happiness; Pioneers in Petticoats; Johnny Lingo; Cipher in the Snow; and The Mailbox.
As the head of the LDS Motion Picture Studio, Judge directed and produced more than 150 films during his 22 years at BYU—including the first Temple endowment ceremony on film, which was completed even though a studio fire delayed filming.
In 2012 A Reel Legacy, a film documentary of Judge and his work with the BYU Motion Picture Studio, was released. The documentary, produces and directed by Thomas Laughlin, shows the challenges Whitaker faced throughout his career and the choices he made that took him to BYU.
Judge was born on September 30, 1908 in Heber, UT. He grew up primarily in Denver Colorado and as a young man attended the Chicago Art Institute in 1929. He worked as an animator for Walt Disney between 1930-1952. Most notably his worked included: Cinderella; Alice in Wonderland; Peter Pan; and several Donald Duck films.
In 1951 Judge requested a leave of absence from Walt Disney to renovate a Heber Valley, Utah resort. Disney granted the request and along with his brothers, Judge established the "Homestead" in Midway. In his autobiography, Looking Back, Judge recalled the conversation he had with Mr. Disney:
He [Walt Disney] listened with great interest, and his eyes sparkled as he said, "All my life I have wanted to do something like that, [speaking of the renovation in Midway] and here I am stuck with this," as he gestured with mock disdain toward his multi-million dollar studio. "Take your year, then come back and your job will be waiting."
It was during this leave of absence that Judge was approached by President Wilkinson to start the LDS studio. Judge sent his resignation to Walt Disney and never returned to his job as an animator.
Judge was given an honorary doctorate of Fine Arts from Brigham Young University in 1971 and, shortly after, in 1974, he retired.
Judge died on November 1, 1985 in Murray, Utah. He was married to Doris Youkstetter from January 30, 1930 until her death on August 22, 1971. He later married Louise Eccles on May 18, 1973. He was a devoted father to four children: William Whitaker, Joan Whitaker Williamson, Michael Whitaker and Carol Whitaker Lloyd.
From BYU Fine Arts and Communication
Wetzel Orson Whitaker, also known as "Judge" (a nickname given to him by his brother as a child), was a pioneer in LDS filmmaking. In 1952 Judge was asked by President Ernest L. Wilkinson to establish a film studio at Brigham Young University. He built up the Film Department from its humble beginnings to the extensive program it is today.
The studio officially began in 1953 and Judge began directing and producing classic LDS films such as: Windows of Heaven; Man's Search for Happiness; Pioneers in Petticoats; Johnny Lingo; Cipher in the Snow; and The Mailbox.
As the head of the LDS Motion Picture Studio, Judge directed and produced more than 150 films during his 22 years at BYU—including the first Temple endowment ceremony on film, which was completed even though a studio fire delayed filming.
In 2012 A Reel Legacy, a film documentary of Judge and his work with the BYU Motion Picture Studio, was released. The documentary, produces and directed by Thomas Laughlin, shows the challenges Whitaker faced throughout his career and the choices he made that took him to BYU.
Judge was born on September 30, 1908 in Heber, UT. He grew up primarily in Denver Colorado and as a young man attended the Chicago Art Institute in 1929. He worked as an animator for Walt Disney between 1930-1952. Most notably his worked included: Cinderella; Alice in Wonderland; Peter Pan; and several Donald Duck films.
In 1951 Judge requested a leave of absence from Walt Disney to renovate a Heber Valley, Utah resort. Disney granted the request and along with his brothers, Judge established the "Homestead" in Midway. In his autobiography, Looking Back, Judge recalled the conversation he had with Mr. Disney:
He [Walt Disney] listened with great interest, and his eyes sparkled as he said, "All my life I have wanted to do something like that, [speaking of the renovation in Midway] and here I am stuck with this," as he gestured with mock disdain toward his multi-million dollar studio. "Take your year, then come back and your job will be waiting."
It was during this leave of absence that Judge was approached by President Wilkinson to start the LDS studio. Judge sent his resignation to Walt Disney and never returned to his job as an animator.
Judge was given an honorary doctorate of Fine Arts from Brigham Young University in 1971 and, shortly after, in 1974, he retired.
Judge died on November 1, 1985 in Murray, Utah. He was married to Doris Youkstetter from January 30, 1930 until her death on August 22, 1971. He later married Louise Eccles on May 18, 1973. He was a devoted father to four children: William Whitaker, Joan Whitaker Williamson, Michael Whitaker and Carol Whitaker Lloyd.
From BYU Fine Arts and Communication
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