The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

120 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN September, 1953 LOST AND FOUND by CI I tRLES WHEELER WE, the three of us, were sitting in t ho bar of a 14th century hostelry in an old world town (which had better be called Hokingham) deep in the heart of a lovely English county. There was nothing of the " Ye Olde " about the bar, it was genuine enough with its oaken beams, bow windows, bright copper and brass fittings and comfortable, harmonious furniture — a crac ikling log Are; all very, very nice. Then there was the beer; lovely beer in gleaming tankards resting on an oak table top. Taking in all this there we were; the sole occupants and an odd trio, I thought, thrown together through circumstances over which we had little or no control. There was Bert Labs, Fred Regal Cambridge and myself, Barley Grey-Friars. I had been trying to interest Fred in Stripped Sprocket Hole Noise Reduction but he insisted he had queues to marshal without price reduction and without getting into the magnetics of it. Fred was holding forth, " Now take Bepop." he said. " Do you know there was a bloke named Murray Pilcer in 1920 who could come orf a trap drum tap, throw his sticks in the air for four bars, tacit an' pick up on an orf beat! Red 'ot 'e was. I'm all for a bit o' rhythm meself, and if I'd a known this town was like this I'd've brought me traps along and woke 'em up a bit." As Fred was a greying sixtyish Bert Labs took this profound snort with a poker expression and an invitation to a round of tomato juice which calamity was prevented by the sudden entrance of a stranger. The stranger took a half glance of recognition at us whereupon we all three promptly buttoned up our pockets. Well, being in a 14th century hostelry and having heard of " The Pilgrim's Progress," you know what I mean. This precaution was quite unnecesary as the stranger proved to be none other than Bill Twenty Cent Accounts, which promptly made the trio a quartet. Bill plunged into an account of the latest happenings at Pepperton Studios, where a apparently a Mr. Box-One reigned supreme. At this stage we were joined by a Miss Charming, a resident, who hearing talk of films asked politely if any of us knew a (•.•imeratiia n n ; 1 1 i i • ■ < 1 I'.ol. H like I !ei I Labs and I were admitting to the friendship of this gentleman when Mr. Cane 'Em entered. Mr. Cane 'Em, a retired veteran cameraman who could take a Prestwick apart like an alarm clock, seemed a likely one to question on knowledge of Huke. "No!", he snapped, " I don't know him but if he's a cameraman there's no doubt he's a nice person." At which he strode over to have a word with two parrots, permanent inhabitants of the bar. " Hear, hear " we chorused — not least of all Miss Charming. "But where is Bob these days?" asked Bert Labs. " He's in Brazil— er, I think," said I. "That's where the nuts come from — roll on Christmas — nothing to beat Brazil nuts at Christmas— you i an have all your roa. i . In i nuts." said Fred Regal" Cambridge, and continued with "Now South American rhythm mal ot nut shells, gourds and the like for — " " Enough of that," snapper Mr. Cane 'Em, " if the A.C.T. was about its business it would know the whereabouts of a missing cameraman. Why! it could happen to me right here in Hokingham, though I admit they do send me the ' Journal '." Miss Charming chimed in " You can take it from me he's in Brazil, and he's not growing coffee." " That's all very well, but supposing he isn't," said Bevt Labs as the party broke up, " I'm going to report this to A.C.T. Missing Members' Bureau, there may be others." Bill Twenty Cent Accounts suggested a tirst step might be to find out if anyone had received anv live guinea petty cash vouchers from Brazil. * * * * Coney Darner sat at his huge docu. ment-covered desk in his spacious office at Soho Square. He was well pleased with life having received an instruction O.K.'d by 31 Committees to investigate another missing member. He toyed with an expenses pass of four shillings and sixpence halfpenny, rubber-stamp. id and O.K.'d by none other than Cranky Collins himself. Thus armed, Darner was prepared to stop all trains — and planes — he'd gotta get his man. In no time at all the radio crackled, cables circulated, agents were instructed; Interpol, the Water Board, Gas Light and Coke, all lent a hand. In the midst of all this activity the second post delivery brought a large envelope postmarked " San Paulo, Brazil." It was from the missing member asking after Bert Lab's welfare. " It's too bad getting it this way after all the trouble Coney's been put to," said Bert. " I reckon that Miss Charming knew where he was alright — wait till Crankv Collins hears what it's cost! Still, it's grand to know that the lads are safe and sound keeping the old flag flying, and they must know that A.C.T. has their welfare in mind." The story doesn't end here though, for Conev Darner unearthed a colony of missing members. * * * * When Coney made his official report the dry factual preciseness failed to dim the bright achievements of the missing band of members and many a General Councillor's heart warmed as the report unfolded. News was given of Chick Fowle. Chief Cameraman, Bob Huke and Ray Sturgess, Lighting Cameramen, Ron Taylor, Sid Davies, Jack Lorria and Jack Mills, Camera Operators, Mike Stoll, Mixer, Haffenrikker (of 3rd Man). Supervising Editor. and Gerry and Val Fletcher, Make-up. Seriously, these lads, faced with the first full force of the home studio slump, did not sit around but tackled this Brazilian venture quietly with enthusiasm and have built up a splendid technical excellence while overcoming extreme difficulties in the beginning some two years back. At that time the laboratory equipment, apart from the baths, was an old Debrie single print eland a doubtful thermometer 2j .' , out in reading. A Densitometer was unheard of. Replenishing meant throwing a bucket of warm D76 if the negative thinned. On the first film 3 rolls of Black Market Plus X were received at a time. This on test at 2.8 on sky sometimes gave just a faint image o"f irhite clouds: Current was a maximum at 300 amps. i ue these and many other difficulties the lads persevered," and now may proudly point to progress. Four permanent units are continuously in production, stages have been built — one slightlj larger than Stage 1 at Denham, two medium stages half that size, two more about the size of the large Riverside Stage and a small one for tests, etc. Projection and dubbing theatres. cutting rooms, restaurant and usual shops -; Present equipment is two B.N.C. Mitchells, two Newalls, ome hand cameras, Velocilators and baby crane. Sound equipment is the latest R.C.A., both photophone and magnetic. Quality in production is now the keynote—one picture, "O Cangaceino", won a first at the Cannes Festival. The union position is very different from here. The union— or Sindicado as it is called— is Government controlled and there are no dues but one days salary a year is taken from i salaried worker; each Sindicado then receives grants in proportion to its membership — all unions have to function according to the " Lei de Sindicado." which is a sort of Universal Rule Book. Despite all this our A.C.T. members have carried with them their own agreements and established the usual location practice, accommodation transport, meal breaks, etc., etc. (But not without some battling please note). With it all, our mising members have quietly been doing a good job of work, their technical standards are admired and their T.U. experience is respected and sought. Cia Cinematografica. Vera Cruz, the employing companv. may be congratulated too on their enterprise * » • * "Yes, it's a far cry from Hokingham to San Paulo." sighed Mr. Cane Em " but I'm glad the A.C.T. found that young fellow— after all, he's a cameraman y'know." ROUND THE FILM WORLD— Continued Our Pineuood Correspondent writes: Warwick Film Productions, shooting The Black Knic/ht, start out on their Spanish location next for about six weeks. John Wilcox is lighting and Ted Moore, having recovered from his accident on "Hell Below Zero." is once more operating. You Know What Sailors Are. directed by Ken Annakin and produced by Peter Rogers, has completed all floor and location shooting and is now in the cutting rooms. Doctor in the House, from the book by Gordon Glover, directed bv Ralph Smart and produced by BettvBox, is starting about the middle of this month. Personal Affair, directed by Anthony Pelissier and produced b'v Anton'v Darnborough. is being put forward for the Royal Command Performance. David Orton has received promotion to Unit Manager on Trouble in Store during the absence of Denis Holt on holiday. The Sinners, director Phil Leacock. producer Sergei Nolbandov. is on location around Loch Ness. Unfortunately the weather isn't too good so they are being somewhat held up with 'their shooting. The Pinewood Sports and Social Club are giving a Grand Dance at the A< tor Town Hall on 23rd September. The dubbing of Million Pound Notl starring Gregory Peck, is being rushed through in order to fly the film out to Xew Zealand for a spei nil showing before the Queen and the Puke of Edinburgh during their visit. We are very sorry to lose Fania Fisher, Continuity and Prod. Secretary, who leave at the end of this month to be married in Singapore. . . . Arthur Alcott has let uriied trom his holiday on the race courses of Yorkshirericher"."' But todav he was not smoking a cigar! Correction: Freddie Wilson editing Fast and Loose: Peter Seabourno edit ing Trouhh in Stort .