The Bioscope (May-June 1912)

The Bioscope, June 13, 1912. Sik A RUSH FOR THE DERBY FILM. * Kver done a Derby rush?” said Mr. MacDowell, of the B. and C. Kinematograph Company, to me last Tuesday week. I had to confess that I had not. ‘‘ Very well, if you would care about it, be at the office Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock.” Punctually at the appointed hour I was at the office in Endell Street, W.C., where a 30 horsepower Phaline car was throbbing outside, seemingly eager to be away. Six cameras and tripods were stowed away in the tonneau, and the company —including Messrs. MacDowell and Bloomfield, etc., who were to perform the operation on the Downs—took their places, and we glided away. The weather did not look at all promising at the start. Beyond Clapham, the traffic thinned out considerably, and we were able to increase our speed. The weather by now had improved, the sun coming through fitfully at intervals. We dashed through Tooting at 10 o'clock, and made our first stop at Merton, where a camera was fixed up, and some interesting scenes of the traffic were taken. Four-in-hands, with their freight of top-hatted men and dainty women; donkey barrows, with ‘Arry and his Missus, the latter resplendent in brilliant-hued feathers, and ’Arry with an overdose of pearlies: other walks of life, other modes of transit, some walking, quite a number “ biking,” private cars, taxis, drays, and waggons converted, by mean: cf a few chairs, into quite commodious char-a-bancs—all these sights were greedily eaten up by the camera, to be shown on the screen a few hours later to the thousands who prefer to enjoy their Derby from a_ seat in the picture theatre. We journeyed on to Ewell, where another halt was made, and more interesting incidents were filmed. From Ewell on again until Epsom was reached, pas:ing through the town at ten minutes past eleven. Here we found the old-fashioned borough crowded, and progress was naturally somewhat slow. On reaching the Downs, a few minutes later, the car was unloaded, and each man, with his camera and tripod, hied him to his appointed station on the course. As we wended our way to one of the “spots,” we heard whispers that the King and Queen were then expected. How were we to get a good picture? Rather a difficult matter, considering the thousands that thronged round ard about. A covered van was esnied. and. before I could realise it. camera, tripod. and Mr. MacDowell were on top of the van, the latter turning away as if his very life depended on it. Con sidering the difficulty of the position, this scene proved one of the most successful, a fine view being got of His Majesty and his Consort entering the ‘Royal Pavilion. We next made our way to Tattenham Corner, where I was to be stationed. Here we had command of a fine view of the famous corner. The time was now about 1 o’clock—two hours ere the event that brought us there would take place. We were kept amused and interested in watching the two events which preceded “The Race,” while between times there were always the niggers, wierd-looking vendors of fruit, lozenges, etc, the ubiquitous tipsters, and the hundred and one different individuals who go to make up a racecourse crowd. "Twas nearing 3 o'clock, and the camera received its finishing touches. . Meanwhile the excitement amongst the crowd ran high. “They're off!”. A second or so passed, and we saw the heads of the jockeys as they reunded the corner—another moment, and we got a full view of them. The handle of the camera was now whirling round, and every movement of the thoroughbreds, with their crouching riders, was being faithfully recorded in “the little box on three legs.’ Like a flash they were by us. ‘We removed the camera from the triped, grabbed our allotted portion, and sprinted the quarter of a mile which separated us from the car. I found sprinting with a camera rather a painful proceeding, and so must have thought the unfortunate individuals 1 came into abrupt contact with We arrived almost simultaneously with the remaining members of the company. The cameras, etc., were thrown in, and we were on our way back to town in less than ten minutes after the first horse had passed the winning-post. We found a vast difference in the amount of traffic on the return journey, and were able to do the journey which separates Epsom Downs and Endell Street in a little over three-quarters of an hour. On our arrival, eager hands took charge of the cameras, which were whisked up to the mysterious regions above, there to be dealt with by the various experts. Forty-five minutes elapse, and we were able to see the negative on the screen, and exactly two hours later the first print of “The Derby, 1912,” was being shown to the public at the Court Theatre, Tottenham Court Road.. Truly a hustle in these days of hustlers! : J. Watterr WALLER. AN ENTERPRISING MANAGEMENT. The management of the Princes Hall, Hull, secured some excellent pictures, depicting scenes and incidents in the large and brilliant carnival, held in Hull recently. These films were shown at the Princes last week. Google TO REMAIN OPEN. During the summer season the New Theatre Royal and Opera House, Blackburn, features a fine display of pictures, in addition to variety turns. Tn previous years this place has closed its doors during the summer.