The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

76 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN May-June, 1953 Other A.C.T. News NEWS FROM THE LABS: Ronnie Spillane writes : Maurice Draper, formerly with Kays, and now at Pathe, Wardour Street, married Miss L. Weston on March 28th. His colleagues presented Maurice and his wife with a canteen of cutlery, and their hearty good wishes for life-long happiness. Peter Cullum, after five years with Pathe and a previous spell with Kodaks, has now left the film industry. Peter was a staunch worker for A.C.T., serving as Secretary of the Lab Committee and as a member of the Technical Committee. Lab members wish him every success in his new vocation. Rex Pyle has now returned to Pathe, having served with the Forces in Germany. DEATH OF A LAB: Martin's Lab, established in 1913, closed its doors on April 24th. Many of its staff have spent a lifetime in the industry, serving for long periods at Martins, Merton Park. Among them are : H. R. Meier, with 37 years of service; Mrs. K. Woods, with 30 years; E. G. Walton, with 23 years; C. W. Bray, H. Russell and F. Richards, all with 22 years. H. Meiers has been A.C.T. shop steward at Martins for 11 years. He has secured a post at Kays. Other members have been unable to find suitable jobs in the industry and have decided to leave it. A.C.T. tried to secure some recompense from the firm for the years of service put in by its members, but without success. One of the oldest established labs in the industry has now gone. FILMS ART SOCIETY: This group holds its Coronation Exhibition and Annual Dinner and Dance on Friday, 29th May, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., at the " White Eagle Club," Albert Gate, Knightsbridge. The Exhibition will be on view for a month through the Coronation period. Enquiries are also being made with a view to the Exhibition touring the Studios afterwards. Sending-in days will be Compiled by 'Middy' Friday, 15th May and Saturday, 16th May; deadline 4 p.m., at the White Eagle Club. Members who have difficulty in sending in works on these dates are particularly asked to send them to the Secretary now, or arrange with him for collection. The Society also runs Life classes, Out-door landscape classes during the summer months, and specialised film shows from time to time. Anyone interested and working in the film industry can obtain details of membership from William Holmes, Secretary, Films Art Society, Appletree Cottage, Bury, Pulborough, Sussex. WESTMINSTER BRANCH: Delegates from tnis branch to the Westminster Trades Council continue to get the case for British films publicised. The resolution passed by this Council, reported in the last issue of " Cine," provoked critical comments from "Onlooker" in Today's Cinema. "Onlooker" argued that expansion of British film production was not possible, and is not possible. The secretary of the Westminster Trades Council replied that " there was ample talent available, and still is, for far more British films to be made, so assisting the nation to save dollars on Hollywood pictures." The debate continues. UNEMPLOYED SECTION: This section meets monthly at Head Office, the April meeting being distinguished by the attendance of our President, Anthony Asquith. These meetings provide an opportunity for unemployed technicians to keep in touch with A.C.T. and Film Industry affairs, and to discuss common problems. The Employment Officer attends each meeting, and regular reports are given on A.C.T. Films, and on General Council decisions. Before applying for vacancies with the Malayan Film Unit members are requested to contact Head Office. Regular readers who have missed the name of A. E. Jeakins from tins journal mil now know why. H> is seen on right, with director Basil Wright, and a Thai assistant on location near Roitt. in N.E. Thailand. A unique occasion, emphasised by our other still, showing director Paul Rotha on location lor the sann film, on Yunuen Island on Lake Patzcuard, 250 miles west of Mexico City. Other technicians seen with Rotha are Carlos Carbajol, Mexican cameraman, Enrique de la Rose, camera assistant, Severiano Godint :. gaffer. Our thanks, on behalf of British film technicians, for the magnificent help given to Paul Rotha by the Mexican film technicians and their trade union. The film is one being made by UNESCO. </< yicting the world fight against hunger, disease and poverty