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The King of Color

Play trailer 1:54 Poster for The King of Color PG Now Playing 1h 22m Documentary Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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At 96 years old, Lawrence Herbert, known as THE KING OF COLOR, is a visionary whose revolutionary idea to standardize color remains largely unrecognized. Growing up in Depression-era Brooklyn, Herbert entered the print and manufacturing trade during a time when color was a chaotic and subjective experience. He channeled his unique vision into creating the Pantone Matching System (PMS)--a groundbreaking invention that established a universal language for color, profoundly enhancing artistic expression and commercial production across all industries. Directed by Patrick Creadon (WORDPLAY, HESBURGH), this compelling documentary features an exclusive interview with Larry himself, offering an intimate glimpse into the mind behind Pantone and his enduring impact on how we perceive and use color today.
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Critics Reviews

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Matt Zoller Seitz RogerEbert.com 5d
3/4
It’s a smart, mostly light movie that will teach viewers a lot about processes they might not otherwise think about. Go to Full Review Ben Kenigsberg New York Times 6d
One interviewee suggests that Herbert has had a greater impact than Steve Jobs or Ray Kroc; he just isn’t as widely known. “The King of Color,” directed by Patrick Creadon (“Wordplay”), aims to offer a corrective. Go to Full Review Abbie Bernstein Assignment X 2d
A documentary that is first about a man, secondly about his process, and thirdly about what turned out to be the invention of a language. It’s amiable, informative and, at just eighty minutes, a fairly swift watch. Go to Full Review Todd Jorgenson Cinemalogue 5d
Although it too eagerly enables Herbert’s desire to preserve and perhaps embellish his legacy, at least the film gives proper credit by detailing his groundbreaking accomplishments and saluting their enduring impact. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
The King of Color

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Cast & Crew

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Patrick Creadon

Director

Larry Herbert

Self

William Neal

Screenwriter

Julia Szromba

Screenwriter

Patrick Creadon

Screenwriter

Christine O'Malley

Producer
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The King of Color

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The King of Color

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Movie Info

Synopsis At 96 years old, Lawrence Herbert, known as THE KING OF COLOR, is a visionary whose revolutionary idea to standardize color remains largely unrecognized. Growing up in Depression-era Brooklyn, Herbert entered the print and manufacturing trade during a time when color was a chaotic and subjective experience. He channeled his unique vision into creating the Pantone Matching System (PMS)--a groundbreaking invention that established a universal language for color, profoundly enhancing artistic expression and commercial production across all industries. Directed by Patrick Creadon (WORDPLAY, HESBURGH), this compelling documentary features an exclusive interview with Larry himself, offering an intimate glimpse into the mind behind Pantone and his enduring impact on how we perceive and use color today.
Director
Patrick Creadon
Producer
Christine O'Malley, Adam L. Lawrence, H. Nelson Tracey
Screenwriter
William Neal, Julia Szromba, Patrick Creadon
Distributor
Picturehouse
Production Co
O'Malley Creadon Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Documentary, Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 12, 2025, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA)
$4.4K
Runtime
1h 22m