Mescall was famous for his elaborate, some might say grandiose, effective camera movements, in which the camera would often track completely across or around a set, or even one performer (as it does around Paul Robeson while he sings Ol' Man River in the 1936 film version of Show Boat).
Mescall was celebrated for his elaborate and skillful camera movements, which often involved traversing across or around sets or performers.  His work is particularly notable when it comes to following Paul Robeson as he sings "Ol' Man River" in the 1936 film adaptation of Show Boat.