Moving Picture News (Jan-Jun 1913)

22 THE MOVING PICTURE NEWS ATLANTIC FLEET MANOEUVRES FILMED FOR FIRST TIME Carl von Hoffmann, Universal Camera Man, Accorded Extraordinary Courtesy by United States Government. — Result Will Soon Be Shown On Screen Probably the biggest achievement in the history of motion picture making is the taking of the recent manoeuvres of the United States Atlantic Fleet by Cameraman Carl von Hoffmann of the Universal Film Manufacturing Company. The diplomacy that this involves, the influence that had to be exerted, and the requirements that had to be observed before the coveted permission of the Government was obtained, all these constitute a story in themselves, scarcely secondary in interest to the results. It was on March 5th when Carl von Hoffmann, former officer in the Imperial Russian Army during the JapaneseRussian War, and now Universal cameraman, returned to New York, after a wearisome session ot the Inauguration of President Wilson. Reporting at the Universal offices in the Mecca Building, he was immediately ordered to report for duty at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Without even waiting to shave, he obeyed the order. He found the United States gunboat Culgoa, provision ship of the Atlantic Fleet, ready to sail to Guantanamo, Cuba. Through Governmental orders, quarters were provided for von Hoffmann, by Commander Lieutenant Lyons, and the voyage was commenced. After three days the gunboat entered the Gulf Stream, where they encountered a great storm, which put half the crew, as well as von Hoffmann, in theic bunks. After two days in the Stream, they found calm at Bird Rock Island in the Bahamas. They encountered another storm before they reached Guantanamo the following Monday. Here they were given a rousing welcome by the awaiting fleet, a scene which von Hoffmann succeeded in filming in its entirety. Standing on the foc'sle deck, with his camera pointed at the fleet, he obtained a panoramic view of the beautiful tropic bay, the winter home of the Fleet. With cannons booming, colors dipping and other manifestations of respect, the provision ship took its designated berth and dropped anchor. After Commander Lyons had reported to the chief of staff, Commander Hughes, a busy scene was enacted. Launches, sailboats and punts by the hundreds hurried to and fro over the smooth waters, a most animated scene. An incident of the stay at Guantanamo was a smoker on the U. S. S. Idaho, which was wonderfully decorated with palms and other tropical plants as well as festoons of bunting for the occasion. An arena was roped off and therein occurred a pugilistic match for the light-weight championship of the navy. Lieutenant von Hoffmann was introduced to the officers by Ensign Carver, who knew the war experiences of the cameraman in the Russian forces. After two days the Culgoa departed for Cuba, and the cameraman was transferred to the U. S. S. Florida, where he was accorded a hospitable reception by the officers in the ward mess room. While at Guantanamo, von Hoffmann secured 40,000 feet of film showing the Florida ''coaling ship" from the U. S. Auxiliary Neptune, the largest collier in the world. Four hundred tons of coal an hour were put aboard, and during the process the erstwhile dazzling ship of white was transformed into ebony, while its immaculate crew took on the semblance of chimney sweeps. It is a wonderful picture, with everybody busy, and everybody happy, with the orchestra on the top deck entertaining the crew while they work. On the following Saturday night, Lieutenant von Hoffmann, at the invitation of Admiral Winslow. gave a lecture before an audience of 2,000 persons, including the officers and their wives, and the men of the fleet. His subject was "Making of Moving Pictures," and his wartime experiences in Manchuria. During the remainder of the stay of the Fleet in the harbor, von Hoffmann secured some wonderful scenes. A particularly beautiful sunset, with a Rembrandt sky; the baseball game between the crews of the Utah and Florida, with the officers and men cheering the winning plays; and rowing races on the bay are also shown. The Fleet left Guantanamo at night, with all lights out, and in regular fighting formation. The only relief to the enveloping darkness was the occasional flash of a signal from the torpedo boats, employed in the evolutions. It was a wonderfully impressive experience. The Fleet encountered a big storm in returning to American waters, but the manoeuvres went on just the same. Tangier ' Sound on the Eastern Shore of Virginia was eventually reached, and here firing practice with the old San Marcos as the target, was participated in by the gunners. Later von Hoffmann was transferred to the Utah to enable him to take pictures of the target practice, which was notable on account of the wonderful marksmanship displayed, each shot costing $400. The pictures also include an intimate depiction of life on board ship, with the pastimes of the crew, and their mascots and pets. Finally the Universal cameraman was transferred to the U. S. Flagship Wyoming, the largest fighting vessel in the world. He was permitted to take some more important pictures on this ship, and as it was during the time that the Fleet was visited by the new Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels, and other members of the Cabinet, the films are of extraordinary historical interest. The pictures show the honorable guests and the ladies of the Cabinet and official circles, including Miss Eleanor Wilson, daughter of the President, being received by Rear Admiral Badgern, the Commander of the Fleet, and watching from the bridge the firing of the great guns. Eight salvos of the twelve 12-inch guns were fired in their honor. The concussion was so great that the camera was knocked down, but recovering his equilibrium, von Hoffmann finished a most interesting series. On April 2nd, after nearly a month of the most interesting adventure, under advantages for observation such as previously never have been extended to a motion picture cameraman, Lieutenant Carl von Hoffmann was put ashore at Old Point Comfort and hurried to New York with his prized negatives. Their early exhibition on the screen will be awaited with anticipation. THE SHOE ON THE OTHER FOOT Gaumont release May 1st.