The Cine Technician (1939)

86 T H E CINI'-TKCHNICIA N Vug. -Sept., 1937 Cinema Lo Cigarette Card Film Lessons. While I was looking through the world's largest "Fag ' ,!i d" collection at Chiswick the other day, Mr. Bagnall gave me a set of cards dealing with all branches of Film Production. Entitled "How Films are Made," these 25 cards explain in simple detail the technical departments of production. They were published by Morris Cigarette Co. some time ago, the facilities for their preparation being granted by Gaumont-British studios. Mazzei Art for Blackpool. Andrew Mazzei, the Art Director and ardent A.C.T. supporter, did not let the cinema depression get the better of him. fie gathered his boys from the devastated studios and trekked away to breezy Blackpool, where their art in a more permanent form will gladden the hearts of Northern holiday-makers in the new Squire's Gate super holiday camp. A Moorish palace in pale primrose-grey, with romantic windows, gently sloping steps and intricately designed pillars, red-tiled roofs and turrets, gives a sunny greeting to the cotton operatives on holiday bent. The ballroom is in traditional Spanish style (bright orange, blue, gold and silver predominating). All this has been designed by Andrew Mazzei, who also designed the Baronial Hall and Spanish Courtyard of Blackpool's Winter Gardens. Yes, Blackpool is steadily becoming "Mazzei-ised," for which we must congratulate Andrew and his A.C.T. and N.A.T.E. crews. Hints on Finance. For the first time in the history of the cinema, the audience has been asked to contribute to a film before it is made, and even allowed to see an outline of the script ! The film is "La Marseillaise" and the director Jean Renoir. The story deals with events from just before the Fall of the Bastille up to the Battle of Valmy, and points a moral for the present situation in France, the production is to cost three million francs, secured by issuing one-and-ahalf million two franc tickets, which entitle the holder to a two franc reduction at any cinema where the film is subsequently shown. The production is organized by Cine-Liberte, the association of French film workers and technicians which was rsponsible for "La Vie est a Nous" (shown last season by The Film Society). Cine-Liberte will issue fortnightly bulletins to acquaint subscribers with the progress of the film. A West-end Club for 1/ Have had many interesting chats recently with that hale and hearty veteran Trade Union leader Ben Tillett, who is chairman of the National Trade Union Club, 24-28 New Oxlorcl Street. I In seventy odd years of industrial strife hang lightly on him as lu sits back and reviews the progress in labour conditions that his early struggles have helped to bring about. Ben has a grand sense of fun and his amusing stories can be heard if you get into touch with the (dub Secretary, Arthur Peacock, who, over a glass oi something at the "Bar," will make you a member on production of your A.( . I'. card and a I , when you will be able to lunch, dine and wine lor a whole year .it the Club. By KENNETH GORDON Does Basil Emmott Hold Record ? Is eighty-five full-length feature films photographed as camera chief a record for a British cameraman ? Well, this is Basil Emmott 's achievement on his completion of the photography of Warner's picture, "Music and Mystery," at Teddington Studios, featuring Keith Faulkner and Chili Bouchier. Have known Basil ever since he started with the old Gaumont Company in 1919. His first film was "Broken Bottles," which, if I remember rightlv, he turned on a Willart Camera. He was also the first cameraman to film the Victoria Falls from the air, when he made a flight to the Cape with Sir Alan Cobham in 1925. When filming closeups of the Falls the spray affected the carburettors of the machine, which nearly cost the crew their lives. Basil Emmott has always been a very keen photographer, which is his hobby as well as his profession. My claim that Basil holds a record may be challenged by other British camera chiefs, so I await their figures with interest. Glebelands. The Twelfth Annual Report of the Cinematograph Trade Benevolent Fund covers "Glebelands" first year. There are 19 permanent residents and 21 convalescents. Over {30,000 has been raised to make possible this home for elder and incapacited members of the trade, and a convalescent home for younger members temporarily in need of a change of surroundings and a rest to enable them to recover from operations or illnesses. Frank Canham, one of the permanent residents, writes asking us to remember him to all his old colleagues, and says how much he will appreciate visits from any who happen to be that way. His testimony alone should convince members of the need to support this excellent establishment and contributions will be welcomed by Mr. R. C. O. Viveash, Secretary, at 52, Shaftesbury Avenue, W.l. Victor McLaglen to Come Home Sailing soon from America on his first visit home for many years, Victor McLaglen will play a key role in Grade Fields' first Twentieth Century Fox picture, "He Was Her Max," scheduled for production at Denham and to be directed by Monty Banks. Victor made his first screen success in the British film, "The Call of the Road," filmed by D. P. Cooper, whose photography on this subject was very fine. This, of course, was in the days of Westminster Arcs and no Spot ; in fact, in the pre-pan era. Victor used to use me as a chopping block to illustrate funny boxing stories which he was very fond of telling 111 the old Kinema Club. Well, Victor's made good, and we welcome him back to the old country and trust that through him some British cinema technicians will get a break. Crocker And All That By the time this issue of The CineTechnician is published, the law should be well on its way to clear the financial air oi its dark clouds and British production should once again be receiving sound financial support.