Film and TV Technician (1957)

76 FILM & TV TECHNICIAN May 1957 Book Reviews (continued) of travelling and working abroad may have lost its excitement and novelty. When Greek workers helped build the temple of Baalbek and French masons, working for the master-builder William de Sens, built Canterbury Cathedral, they may not have realised how their labours would be admired for centuries, though they must have been filled with a wonderful spirit of adventure. Maybe these " co-productions " of bygone days will be less fleeting than the works of the modern travelling film technician. Exchange Schemes This booklet, which the T.U.C. sends us with its commendation, is intended to give information about schemes for the exchange of young trainees between the nations of the world; in some cases the worker wants to spend a period abroad to improve his technical skills, and in others he may want to get to know the people of another country by working and living among them. Workers Abroad shows that this is also of advantage to the respective employers of the travelling journeymen of today. Just as one is beginning to dream of exciting and educational adventures, one is brought back to reality by the statement: " In trades where considerable unemployment has been known, and where the union has built up some form of trade security for its members , hesitancy to accept a worker from abroad is perfectly understandable ." That, unfortunately, is just where, despite the good efforts of UNESCO, the scheme cannot really apply to us to any great extent, and this is an additional crime one must lay at the door of those responsible for the unemployment and casual work in the entertainment industry, because, while unemployment lasts, there is bound to be suspicion that foreign workers might take our jobs. Fortunately, there have been a few such international exchanges of film technicians (though not on a reciprocal basis), and in addition to the advantages of trainee exchanges, which this booklet gives, I would stress another: for workers to get to know their fellow Trade Unionists in other countries will greatly help to build lasting world peace. C.B. PREMIERE of ST. JOAN The British premiere of Otto Preminger's production of Bernard Shaw's St. Joan is on Thursday, June 20th, at the Leicester Square Theatre. Starring in the film are Richard Widmark, Richard Todd, Anton Walbrook and Jean Seberg. As we announced in our March issue, Mr. Preminger has generously agreed that the proceeds of the premiere shall go to the British Film Studio Workers' Benevolent Funds. Tickets, price £5 5s. 0d., £3 3s. 0d., £2 2s. 0d., £1 Is. Od. and 10s. 6d., may be obtained from: Mrs. Madge Clarke, 59 Stanhope Gardens, Kensington, London, S.W.7 ('phone FREmantle 2285/6). A. C. T. T. HELPED HIM In November 1955 Mr. Frederick Slater, one of our members employed at Technicolor, was knocked down by a motor car on a " zebra " crossing while returning from work and seriously injured. A.C.T.T., through their solicitors, took up Mr. Slater's case with the motorist's insurance company and have been able to obtain £525 compensation for Mr. Slater, plus all costs. Mr. Slater writes: "May I sincerely thank you for the great help accorded me in trying to get a satisfactory settlement. ... It has been a great relief and I am deeply obliged for all the assistance I have received." CAMERA HIRE 1957 Arriflex Model Ha complete with Blimp and Power-Pack 25 mm. 32 mm. 40 mm. 50 mm. 75 mm. COOKE SERIES II LENSES 18mm. Cooke Retrofocus also available LEEVERS-RICH 'SYNCHROPULSE' RECORDER S. W. SAMUELSON FINchley I 595 HERE & THERE " Rock Round the Clock, which cost only $300,000, is reckoned to recover eight times over its cost." — Variety. Change of Theme President of Takimura Productions reports that in an " effort to increase the popularity of Japanese films in the States, they intend to use contemporary themes, as opposed to the ancient themes that have been great successes." — Far East Film News. Who cares as long as it sells ? " It may be a soul-searing drama of violent passion or a highlypolished bedroom comedy, with lots of lingerie; but whatever it is the customers will lap it up. For the British cinemagoer — bless him — is incurably convinced that the lives of Europeans are infinitely more inhibited than his own, so that he accepts quite easily the most extraordinary behaviour on the part of characters in films. And who are we to say him nay? " — Michel Williams, " Continentals, Answer to Product Squeeze ". Asian Co-produotions Increasing According to Dr. Hoffmeister, a member of the Czechoslovakian cultural delegation to India, India and Czechoslovakia will produce jointly a puppet film. He said that India was an ideal place for producing puppet films by virtue of its rich folklore. Also to be co-produced is an Indian-Chinese film Under the Blue Sky; this is to be shot in China and Burma and directed by a team of Bengali directors. Lewis McLeod. MR. AND MRS. HAWKES Miss Norma Bremson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Syd Bremson, was recently married to Stan Hawkes, a fellow stalwart of the Editorial Section. We regret that in our last month's issue we gave the name of Miss Bremson's husband wrongly as Stan Hughes. Our apologies and wishes for every happiness to Mr. and Mrs. Hawkes.