International photographer (Jan-Dec 1934)

Thirty-two The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER March, 1934 Off 1 ecus By Otto Phocus We are very fortunate this month to be able to reproduce the above sepia which comes from the developing tray of James B. "Shack" Shackelford, the young fellovj that has been a fetv places and seen considerable. As you are undoubtedly aware "Shack" was chief cameraman with the Roy Chapman Andrews Expedition when they discovered the eggs on the Gobi Desert. These eggs were thousands of years old and, although very interesting from a scientific standpoint, they can not compaie with some of the "eggs" we have in Hollywood. Nor with some of the "eggs" that have been laid in the picture business. During his recent trip to the South Sea Islands for the R.K.O. Studios, he made another discovery that is very important to the motion picture industry — a native who can grow bananas on a microphone without grafting. The elimination of grafting by the studios has been desired for a long time and this may be the answer to it. At least it is as good an answer as any submitted so far. It was Wednesday when "Shack" arrived on Thursday Island and discovered his boy (?) Friday or Saturday. This leaves Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to have some fun with. Well ! They christened the boy Charlie and the best the natives could do with that name was Sharle, although most of the time he was called HeyU and at other times a few names that cannot be mentioned here. The pay consisted of canned goods and old razor blades. It seems as though they were never able to issue Sharle enough razor blades, because he always showed up the next morning. The chain around his neck is "Shack's" idea and, as he explains, it is one way to keep an assistant at the camera while trying to talk to the director and eliminates the necessity of going to the corner drug store for your assistant when a follow focus shot is to be made. Sharle was formerly a member of the Cannibal's Union and when asked why he was an ex-cannibal he re plied: "Umph gyph." When translated this means: "Who wants to be a cannibal when there is a motion picture company around." The title of this picture when released will be SEA GIRL. If you will refer to the last October issue of International Photographer and peek at some of the stills submitted by "Shack," you will agree with me that you will certainly "See Girl(s)." Practically all of them. HOW COME DEPT. One of the studios in Burbank held a golf tournament recently and immediately after the contest the prizes were awarded. Imagine the surprise of the contestants when they discovered one of the cups had the winner's name already engraved on it and another prize winner was away on location. DO YOU KNOW That the C. C. C. was in existence in California in 1917. The Cinema Camera Club. That Paul Perry radio'd from Peping, China, and is on his way to Saigon, Anam., and can be reached thru Thos. Cook and Son. That Bob Miller is with him and doing nicely. That they saw Chas. Clark in Shanghai. That a certain asst. tried to borrow money from a certain organization to join another certain organization. That Ira Hoke has gained 15 pounds. HI ! HUSKY. That Lloyd Knechtel recently addressed the British Kinematograph Society in London and showed the boys a few reels of his "Tricks." That the Motion Picture Relief Fund actually gives relief. That Maurie Kains operated the three color camera that photographed the Three Little Pigs. That a cameraman can not be "forward" and operate his camera. That if you don't think Lincoln was a big man you should see his statue in the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington. That Buddy Harris is back, (but not at Universal) after being away for some time. My error. That Eddie Gehler arrived in Hollywood in 1916 and expected to be here for some time. He has been here ever since. That Alvin Wyckoff made a trip to New York for the preview of his picture, Joan the Woman, some few years ago. That Harry Parsons had 14 years experience as a projectionist. That Ray Fernstrom attached himself to the picture industry at the age of 14. Candy butcher in a "Swenska" theatre. That in 1903 they double-exposed their backgrounds. See the "Great Train Robbery." That "Lux" was the name of a camera long before it was something for the neck. That there was a Twentieth Century Film Co. in That Lou Physioc wrote an article, "Twenty-Five Years of Motion Pictures," over 16 years ago. That I hope he will be able to write another article "Fifty Years of Motion Pictures," and that T will be able to read it. Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.