The Cine Technician (1943 - 1945)

Slay— June, 1943 THE C I N E T E C H N I < ! J A N 63 Kenneth Gordon They film from Flying Fortresses The sad news has been recorded that Xewsreel cameraman Ernest Lewis of Paramount News is reported missing after a raid in enemy territory. He was filming for the British Newsreel Association from a Flying Fortress and after completing his training was making his first operational flight over Germany. It is with great sorrow that A.C.T. records the loss of this respected technician, and to his dependents we offer our deepest condolences. A number of newsreelers are taking part in these perilous operations and I myself went through the training and qualified, but was grounded before I went on a mission. Jimmy Wright of Paramount, whom Lewis relieved in North Africa, made a number of operational missions also. Jack Ramsden of Movietone and a number of other cameramen are under training. To fly for hours at 30,000 to 35,000 feet all the time dependent on oxygen and with the temperature 40 below reduces the faculties of even the most robust camera-man to little more than an automaton. To take your heavy gloves oft for only a moment means severe frostbite and very often the loss of fingers or hand, and the failure of your oxygen supply means in 30 seconds a black out or death. Your camera is likely to freeze up. Your lens gets coated with oil if the enemy busts a pipe, and when you reach the target you are likely to meet cloud or mist. If everything goes O.K. and the other planes' bombs are bursting on the target the 30 or 40 feet of film recorded looks like a model shot because of the great height your plane is flying. It is quite impossible to move about the plane when in action to record any air fights. I wonder if the risk is worth the films the newsreels obtain. The man who runs the Cairo Labs. We arc pleased to welcome home on a month's leave Chas Martin, the cameraman, who now runs the M.O.I. Labs, in Cairo. Charles was war corre spondent for Pathe Gazette in France during the opening phases of the war ; he filmed Dunkirk and later joined the M.O.I. I always remember going on a job with him during the Battle of Britain. The line was bombed three times that day but we got back to London 8 hours late, which was a great credit to the rail workers and their lightning repairs. Glad to see you again Charles. From Overseas Dickie Bird now a Squadron Leader, writes to Charlie Wheeler from A.H.Q. Levant, says he came across an old A.C.T. Journal and saw Charlie's name. He says: "I saw many names very well I.Mnw n to me and also noted the G.B. names in thi , J&.A.F. Film Unit. Please remember me to all those with whom yon are in touch. I have had many ad\ c n t urn 3 since 1 saw you last , but the most outstanding (and I trust the most lasting) is m\ marriage We met in the services and we were married at Cairo. Since then I have had several postings bu1 we are now together again somewhere in Pales! ine. I very seldom go to the pictures although my is by way of being a fan. Those pictures I have seen are several years old. The sound chat over late and the film breaks once every performance. The manager also insists on an interval of fifteen minutes after the show starts, no doubt to enable the patrons to brace themselves for the feat in e. ( >ne recent picture I saw w as Next of Kin, an excellent effort. Our local cinema has I advertising several old G.B. productions for some weeks now but they do not appear to be any nearer showing. Possibly the poster are hiding holes in the walls." "I am seeing Bert Bates, late chief editor of Warners. He is now a Flight Lieutenant in the R.A.F. He arrived here today so I am having a short session with him and a few others tonightj if we can ge< anything other than local stuff to drink. " Price ( mi 1 here are shocking. The local people here regard the war as a special device b them to build up a big reserve balance from catching British Troops, lam well." We hope you had a good part;} . Dickie. To Charlie also comes a letter from an internment camp in France, sent by sound c Cliff Sandall. Tells us his wi it to ha child, all goes well with her and everyone is most kind in bringing her tie He . how flic film world is going and all those connected with it. " Do remember me to all the-,, you m We long to see some good pictures again and hear Sollle gOOd I eke What je.\ In l\\V | ifrol of a receiver. Have you seen my brother in his glad rags — LI .-Col. now and T am stuck here." We all understand his feelings-'-good luck to him and his wife and kiddie. It won't be long u< you'll be home again Cliff.