The Cine Technician (1943 - 1945)

Ill) T IT E CI NE-TECHNIC] A N November ]).,-,.,, ,i„., . pi; Departed Denizen At one time a corpulent cameraman, denizen lit Wardour, could invariably be located at least once a week in the vicinitj or six times a year in tht' Journal. Wardour is now a draughty spol and there is more room as a result of the departure of the hulk which ho longer graces the Street. In the Journal there is no gap, the pen, being mightier than the sword, is less than the hulk. If discreet enquiry be made as to the last departure it is suggested that local assignments from Wardour Street involve the humping of odd equipment not provided for in the Newsreel Agreement — this the hulk rejects — the humping, not the Agreement. It the departure he lor the Contim m the suggestion unkindly continues, the humping i eliminated 1>\ the right to a jeep, batman and corps of Pioneers, plus an MOI pass, a special seat at NAAF1 canteens and a share in reparations and prize niotie\ hence the departure. I don't know about all this, but Ivor Montagu, who has jus! returned from " furrin parts," ran into Ken Gordon and said the bulk was being put to good use by Ken lor battering down all opposition to his additional righl to put News on the screen, and that officials were falling like ninepins, his latest exploit being to squeeze in at the Belsen Trial. If an ear be pressed to the gral ings outside Pathe's one may hear Developer Frank Fuller mutter "Why doesn't Ken Gordon turn at sixteen Mid get that darn trial over." If he did. he, like Wimpy, would only go to Hamburg, Frank. Cyril Crowhurst How could Denham get along without its old-established and respected Watty? There could he hut one answer, and that was the appointment of Cyril Crowhurst, a popular promotion and in complete accordance with A.C.T. policy of promotion through the ranks from experienced and skilled personnel. Cyril, an old P). ,^ D. man. has been Chief of Sound Mainten ance foi years under Watty, and now take over Erom his old Chief. With his reputation the quality lor which Denham sound has been noted will surely he maintained, together with the traditional dignitj ot tin' Denham Sound men. In this latter respect Cyril will have, as Watty had. the inimitable Percy Dayton A.C.T. 's gift to Denham — at his elbow, so all should be well. Good luck, Cyril. Ealing Evolution Joe Yeates. the \er\ earnesl shop steward of Ealing, has had a busy time .it late with special rates tor a location in Germany — possibly the first post-war European feature location — and a discussion on rates for trainees in which back pay was forthcoming, -hi., like most stewards, is a busy man these days, hut pauses to reflect on the independent status of Ealing now that it has Eagle Lion distribution, taking pride in the technical excellence and entertainment value, according to the critics, of Johnny Frenchman and Dead of Sight. doe should also reflect that war-horse Mickj Balcon wasn't horn yesterday, and with boys like Charlie Frend, Sid Cole. Johnm Croydon — hoc genus omne — it' got to be l1 1. The great thing is that all British pictures should he good, and without turning ourselves into a mutual admiration society we can all congratulate the Ealing boys and share Joe's pride. Incidentally, is the excellence of the Ealing Canteen a prerogative ol Independent status? If so, monopoly is doomed, for nowadays a good meal is hard to find; in any case there is no fear of nationalisation so long as the Crown Film Unit runs the Pinewood Canteen. Wakeful Welwyn If things are quietening down here and there the Welwyn Garden City plant is not here or there. My other spies, finding the Great North Road a trifle cold, and demanding climatic money. 1 retained them in Southern England. This b so, and news ..) Welwyn hard to come by, it was good to run into Bert Ross, their handMixer, and discover why he has to condud his \.C.T. business by courier pigeon and ponj post —unlike Sid Howell he doesn't own a gangster's car. Boy, oh boj ! That terrible Vauxhall — Special Effects Department, too! However, licit Ross apologises on heleilt of liiin-elf and hi merry lad at the Northern outpost. They're hard at it churning out the footage or, Quiet Weekend. There's nothing quiet about it — don't be deceived. What with overlapping commitments, shortage ol staff, holiday rotas, odd locations, the boys would welcome a ipiiet week-end. Bert gets his holiday in November. Surely our old friend, Roberl Clark, will see that licit can take it at