American cinematographer (Jan-Dec 1924)

Eight AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER November, 1924 Eliminate Death from Air Cinematography Daredevil Stunts Accused of Being Trick Work When Viewed by Audience. By Harry Perry, A. S. C. (Harry Perry, A. S. C, the author of the following article, speaks with authority on the matter of photographing motion picture action and "stunts" in the air, he having turned his camera in an aeroplane for such productions as B. P. Schulberg's "The Broken Wing," "The White Man" ; Universal's "The Fighting American," Ruth Roland's recent feature, in addition to having done similar work for industrial assignments. — Editor's Note.) This is an article setting forth the writer's personal views regarding the big opportunity there is for every cinematographer to help save lives. This sounds like a queer sort of statement, but the reason for it is that every so often we read a small article in the paper about some stunt man or woman being killed or injured in attempting to carry out some thrilling action during the taking of stunt scenes. Tragedies A few days ago, a man lost his footing on the ladder attached to an aeroplane and fell 500 feet to death. Another man was lost attempting to swim some rapids in the Colorado River. Locklear, the aviator, lost his life in an aeroplane stunt. Pichens, another stunt man, lost his life in a ladder mishap on a plane. These are just a few instances, there having been many more — and my reason for bringing them up is that nearly all these stunts could be done, in my opinion, with more realism, with less expense and with no chance of accident, by means of good miniatures and trick camera work. Not Believed Real Many of the stunts in pictures are not believed to be the real thing by the picture patrons anyway, especially the most difficult ones. For example, several months ago, I photographed a stunt man 3000 feet in the air being knocked off the wing of a second plane by another man, and then swinging head down from the end of the wing underneath the landing gear, and thence coming up on the opposite wing of plane (after swinging like a pen Special Effects Would Get Same Results and Forestall Loss of Human Life. dulum on a clock) where he caught hold and pulled himself on to the wing. Dare-devil Stunt He was secured by heavy wires attached to his ankles which extended to the landing gear of plane. Everyone who saw the picture and did not know that the stunt was actually photographed, said it was a pretty good trick, so what is the use of a man's risking his life to do a stunt which is not even believed and which could be done just as well in miniature? I do not contend that all miniatures are good, or even a part of them, but I do think that there is a big chance for improvement in them and that the opportunities are unlimited for cinematographers in this line, insofar as aerial cinematography is concerned. The A. S. C. gasoline alley has been further enriched by H. Lyman Broening's Chrysler Sedan, Frank B. Good's sport Chandler, L. Guy Wilky's sport Chandler roadster, George Meehan's WillsSt. Claire, James C. Van Tree's Buick sedan, the Ford which Victor Milner carries as an auxilliary to his Hudson coach, Gilbert Warrenton's best Ford coupe in the world, George Barnes' Ford coupe for California use, etc. Will Robert Kurrle, Fred Jackman and Perry Evans kindly form a three-legged quartet and sing praise why the Marmon is the best car in the world ? VISUAL EDUCATION \ NOT IS \ tresspassers will b ccrscraScd to faefiXi. extent of Z t~*\; rcT dog's which xicxx was over gcchC'rlc Xo sir&iigevs *1 diiblU bvl srTci f„r. which, afirt" Totted wtfFf sdfst v:..or's. .Dam if I airrt o'iilcn iirc £f*His hell rkisiri on my fixe?. 3.G-n'scoi Photo by International Kinema Research