American cinematographer (Jan-Dec 1942)

National Association Of Movie Clubs Gets Action! WHERE HAVE YOU MADE PICTURES? The United States Government has asked us to place before our readers an urgent request for both still and motion pictures made anywhere outside the Unitetl States, as a vital aid to the Nation's War Effort. These pictures will be reviewed by Government authorities, and selected scenes duplicated by the Government. The original films, plates, transparencies or negatives will be returned, intact, to the owner. This request is addressed to BOTH PROFESSIONALS AND AMATEURS, and to STILL PHOTOGRAPHERS, as well. Size and condition are relatively unimportant: 35mm., 16mm., 9.5mm. and 8mm. films are desiretl, as are still photographs (negatives or prints) and transparencies of any size. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO JUDGE WHICH OF YOUR PICTURES WILL OR WILL NOT BE USEFUL. Do not jump to the conclusion that just because you have "ordinary travel-shots,'" they may not be useful, or that because your pictures were made some time ago, or are of poor photographic quality, they will not be acceptable to the Government. Locale and subject-matter, not photographic quality, are the vital factors. If you want to cooperate in this with your Government, fill out the form on the opposite page, or describe your pictures more fully in a letter, and mail it to the Editor of THE AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER, 1782 N. Orange Drive, Hollywood, Calif. DURING the past three months editorials in the "Among the Movie Clubs" department of THE AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER have presented the idea (originated by George Burnwood of Philadelphia's progressive 8-16 Movie Club) of a National Association of Movie Clubs. Among the advantages for such a federation of clubs would be the immediate formation of a national amateur film-exchange through which both club-made productions and the films of individual members could be circulated among the member-clubs; na Proposed for comrn unities, form to eacb for referenc allable fllmG for ehowlnge in va o be filled out by member clube, and to b« returned to th key pn r./MZ OF PRODUCTIcr: 31 2E : mm . L ENCTH : . SIL^tlT or SOm.'D: COLOR or E&ff; loujid clieclc type: • , ( Bound trade) (sound on disk) If Bound on dlBlt, ct.eck aynchronizine nooic-uo and •P*e<l: -. ., ,;~iBlc Bpoed: . . • {mecbaalcal) ( stroboscooej (7e or 73^RPV ^ ^ Sceoar * Other: S :-cwBre: locale:. . ^toryrj _ Type: Tyoe: ' Events: ADDinCE APPEAL: -dults: Special ffrouoe: Men: TIoBen: UUcii. PHCDUcrB: (nunber) (Street (Olty) (etPte) tional and regional competitions for both clubs and individual films; interchange of stock-shots between clubs or individuals in different parts of the country; and the pooling of equipment and talent when necessary for the making and showing of Civil Defense films. We're ready and willing to put the full force of THE AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER behind such a project: all we ask is that the clubs concerned and their officers show us that they really want to see the plan in operation, and are willing to cooperate too. That cooperation is already making itself felt! Officials of the clubs from coast to coast have written in to tell us they approve the idea, and will help get it rolling. Some have even started meetings among the clubs in their vicinity to start the ball rolling with local contests and plans for regional federation. Others have offered films, and advanced suggestions from their practical experience in inter-club program exchanges. Quite properly, Philadelphia's 8-16 Club leads the parade. Club Secretary Harry Brautigam writes us to say, "The officers and members of the 8-16 Movie Club of Philadelphia wish to thank you for your kindness in mentioning in your magazine our Mr. Burnwood's idea for the formation of a National Association of Movie Clubs. "We feel sure that under the sponsorship of THE AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER such an association could become a reality. "As a start, we enclose a list of films we have been exchanging with other clubs, and for the benefit of those we have not contacted, we offer this list of pictures and invite correspondence from Club Secretaries. "In order to start the ball rolling regarding the National Association, we are contacting the clubs in the near vicinity of Philadelphia, asking them if they would be interested in joining in an interclub film contest. We contemplate holding a meeting of representatives of the various clubs to arrange for the contest, and would then have an opportunity of discussing the National Association. In this way it is possible we may be able to form the nucleus of such an association. If other clubs throughout the country were to do likewise, it should go a long way in getting the idea under way." Frank Heininger, also of the 8-16 Club, adds to the discussion and volunteers some very useful service. He writes "In our magazine, 'Closeups,' we have persistently stressed the benefits possible through greater inter-club cooperation . . . For several years we've effected inter-club exchanges on an informal basis. By 'informal' I mean that the knowledge of new club members has been gained mostly by chance. When we learn of the existence of a new club production, our 'exchange man' contacts the club and offers our own pictures as an inducement. Let me say, incidentally, that these valuable original prints are handled carefully. Ours show no defects after two years 'on the road.' "Your magazine can do a real service for movie clubs by reviewing these productions and reporting, in a single, short paragraph, their running-time and general content. "In conjunction with the above-mentioned reviews a central exchange could route the films to the associated clubs. This route could include all of the clubs in a definite order, or could be made up of clubs that indicate a desire to see a Proposed fons for request of f lis for abowlDg by nenberi club. Eac:i club to make out fons requeatlufi film for 8bo«lQ« at later date, said form to be sent In to key oolQt ablco id turn will I'.fom requesting club's secretary of membert-club possessing film wai.ted. &l?^.f w»tb lnformr>tlon pretalnln^ to film. ( number ) FIU TRIATKENT DESIRE 1 Traveloi^ue: 2 Documeiitety: ^ Scenario: (•treet) (c D: (Check one or n Locale desired Story desired: ' Type defllrt=d:J Typr deBlred:_ Events covered ty! ore) (statel ♦ Ptaer: b~ VaCBTMl: 912E: ma. lEvCTH: If SCLTD, Check fai Sound on disk; llltl. ft. SOmtD: .;9peed_ ACDIENCr APPEAL rESIRED: (check cne) Adults: . Special ftlmi Chlldr#n: . Troc fUm dei rBtroboscopeT (mechanical) (73 or 33 RPlf) special groups: red: KAMI OF FILH: (If knom) 218 May, 1942 American Cinematographer