American cinematographer (Jan-Dec 1924)

Twenty AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER May, 1924 I was puzzled about the charge of this man against me, as I had never in my life caused any harm to him whatsoever. With this incident the inquiry was closed and I was brought back to my cell in the same manner as I had been taken from it. The day was breaking and on reaching my cell I found there everybody on foot already. It was nearly eight o'clock, and breakfast time. After a while a teapot was brought in the cell, some sugar and for each, a pound of black rye bread. After the breakfast, one of the prisoners offered me his place on the board bed to lie down and have a rest, which I needed, as this night had been one full of events for me. Too bad, I could not record them on the film for an American news reel. Soup and Tea I accepted the kind offer, stretched myself out on the board bed, forgot about the "cooties," and had a quiet sleep until lunch-time, being awakened by my comrades, after the soup pot was brought into the cell. The soup tasted well. It was a potato soup with some meat, navigating inside the pot. Everybody received a small aluminium dish and a spoon. After the soup, there came the teapot again. At six in the evening there came the same soup again and after it a wheat mash. A bit later, tea again and the day was over. The day in a well crowded prison cell passes fast. Everybody tells his story, some newcomers are brought in, and there is always something happening. Humanitarian Act So for instance: A prisoner, an engineer, middleaged and looking sick, fell suddenly unconscious. The prison doctor was called, who did not believe his real unconsciousness and to try him out, stuck a needle into the man's leg. The sick man did not show any sign of pain and after quite a lengthy effort, he regained his senses. This poor fellow told us his sad story. He had a young wife, who, with some commissary of higher standing, had a love affair. They resolved to get the husband out of their way and denounced him as a counter-revolutionist this resulting in his arrest. The same evening, about eight o'clock, I and several others of our cell were called and were put in a big entirely closed auto, called "The Black Raven" and were transported to the "Butyrka Prison." In the Butyrka Prison In former times, this prison served for manacled prisoners, condemned to hard labor in Siberia. It was built some two hundred years ago. Its cells are heavily arched, floors asphalted, windows double cross ironed. The whole aspect gives a sinister feeling. Nevertheless, everybody was glad to change the G. P. U. extremely crowded cells for the more sinister looking Butyrka cells. The reasons for such feeling are quite many. The principal of which are: The regime in Butyrka is far not so servere as in G. P. U. and the atmosphere of life is much better. The cells are more spacious, every prisoner gets his individual bed, here he can undress himself during night and sleep quietly. Daily newspapers can be ordered through the prison office against payment. Unofficially the prisoners play chess, domino and cards (all these games are manufactured in the cell itself by the prisoners). Once a week everyone is allowed to receive foodstuffs from his relatives or friends. This privilege can be used naturally only by those who have money and relatives in Moscow. On the first and fif Larger Aperture —More Light — Greater Speed Poorly lighted interiors or other locations present no problem to the cinematographer whose camera is equipped with a Bausch & Lornb ULTRA RAPID ANASTIGMAT f:2.7 Unusually sharp definition from center to corners of the standard motion picture area even at full opening of f :2.7 is characteristic of this lens. Ask your dealer, or tvrile us, for descriptive folder. Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. Desk E78, Rochester, N. Y. New York Washington Chicago San Francisco London TITLES ART BACK GROUNDS DEBRIE CAMERA And Equipment All for $500. ANDRE BARLATIER American Society of Cinematographers FOR RENT Two Bell and Howell Cameras, 40, 50, 75 mm. lenses, Thalhammer iris. Jean Trebaol, Jr., 7042 Stilson Street, Palms, Calif. Telephone 761-243.