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26
THE CINE-TECHNICIAN
March-April, 1952
A Neitsreel Kmuul-up on Filming the Flying
Enterprise'
BIGGEST NEWS JAMBOREE OF RECENT YEARS, THE STORY OF CAPTAIN CARLSEN, LIEUTENANT DANCY AND "THE FLYING ENTERPRISE," PUT NEWSREEL COMPANIES AND THE NEWSREEL MEN INTO A HIGH STATE OF EXCITEMENT AND ACTIVITY.
NEWSREEL COVERAGE ON THE EVENT WAS ON THE LAVISH SCALE. NEWSREEL CAMERA AND SOUND MEN, STAFFS IN LABS, CUTTING, EDITING AND RECORDING ROOMS OF ALL COMPANIES DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES IN THE CONTEST TO GET THE NEWEST AND BEST MATERIAL INTO THE CINEMAS QUICKLY.
FROM A.C.T.'S MEMBERS IN THE COMPETING COMPANIES, COMES THIS ROUNDUP OF STORIES ON THE FILMING OF "THE FLYING ENTERPRISE."
AMONG Pressmen it is generally agreed that, apart from the war period, the Carlsen story was probably the biggest sustained front page story for at least 25 years. There is no doubt that newsreel editors and cameramen alike share the same view.
In the newsreels the story played for at least three editions of each reel — and with five newsreels — this accounts for 15 long-length versions — a not inconsiderable footage and enough to satisfy both public and exhibitor alike — and in addition a specially edited and produced 2-reel version has been widely booked.
With newsreels, however, front page means something more than competitive editions of a story.
Competition means speed — and competition among the newsreels was intense as this story broke with the hurricane fury which itself gave birth and later death to the " Flying Enterprise " story — and if you can stand against it, how refreshing— how invigorating! — was the return of the " Trade Wind " for the newsreels.
First to show " Flying Enterprise " (and no excuses for the double entendre!) were the G.F.D. newsreels, Gaumont-British and Universal. Cameraman J. Harding flew from Croydon to St. Eval in Cornwall and transferred to a Lancaster of Coastal Command, which flew in shocking weather to locate and film the waterlogged ship and its attendant U.S. Destroyer the " John W. Weeks." Harding made several runs over, staying until the pilot indicated that it was imperative to return. Cold dismal weather with low cloud and hundreds of miles to fly over the sea before the Cornish landfall.
With the stuff in the " can " and every prospect of a " beat " over the opposition his was, indeed, a happy landing. The first " Special Edition " released for years found, no — not the newsreel — but, the Exhibitor wanting!
But how quickly fading is the glory of a " beat " — what of the next edition? Plans must be laid, decisions rapidly made.
Plymouth Hoe! John Cotter and his soundman, Crockett, together with Sid Bonnett. kept a dawn vigil at Devonport Dockyard for the return of the first U.S. Destroyer — a story to be framed, with now, opposition alongside. Would they also be aware that the American crew had filmed on sub-standard film ? Would they be competing for this material or any tape recordings which were available? They most certainly were and bidding was brisk! Great credit is due to John Cotter for securing the amateur's material on a good commercial basis.
No less than 200 feet of this exclusive material was used in G.B. and Universal. Happily, Sid Bonnett returned to H.Q. with that " little something " which the others had not got.