The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

18 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN February, 1954 The CINE TECHNICIAN The A.C.T. Journal FEBRUARY 1954 Vol. 20 No. 110 PRICE SIXPENCE Round the Film World CONTENTS ROUND THE FILM WORLD 18 TV PICTURES ON MAGNETIC TAPE -19,20 AMERICAN FILMS AND BRITISH TELEVISION, by George Elvin 21 CARTOON, by Pat Holmes 21 A FILM TECHNICIAN'S NOTEBOOK, compiled by A. E. Jeakins -22, 23 THE DOUBLE-FRAME CAMERA, by John R. Bishop and Loren L. Ryder 24, 25 ONE'S COMPLETE GUDDE TO BRITISH FILM MAKERS -26, 27 THE GENERAL COUNCIL DECODES 27 A.C.T. NOTES AND NEWS, compiled by " Middy " 28, 29, 30 CINE PROFILE OF IAN CRAWFORD, by Recorder 30 LAB WORKERS' RALLY, PICTURES AND REPORT 31 Editor: REG GROVES Editorial Office: 2 Soho Square, W.l Telephone: GERrard 8506 Advertisement Office: 5 and 6 Red Lion Square, W.C.I Telephone: HOLborn 4972 ELECTRONIC recording of pictures on tape, briefly described in our last number, and more fully reported on pages 19-20, has given rise to much speculation in the film industry. Film technicians are not the only ones likely to be affected by this new development. It can have considerable effect upon film equipment manufacturers and film processing laboratories. The pertinent question everyone is asking is — how long before it revolutionises film making, film processing and film exhibition? Engineers of Radio Corporation of America are guarded in their replies to this vital question. Enquiries by Cine of RCA's representatives in Britain, and by Cine's own correspondent in America, have produced replies that have the careful precision of the technical researcher taking all possible hazards into account. Summed up, these replies amount to a statement that the tape is considered to be, at present, no more than a tool for television. The New York demonstration was intended as a progress report only. A year is needed for necessary improvements in the process, and two years is the time estimated as necessary before the tape can be used practically in transcription and television. Within three years the process will be ready for use in the fi'm industry, as an instant play-back device and as an auxiliary to film cameras on the set. Within five years, the process should be ready for full film production and distribution uses. These are cautious estimates, and make no allowance for rapid developments and improvements that may follow as a result of other discoveries and improvements. UC Screen Writers' Guild re•^» ports a " rugged, lean year in 1953 " but sees " abundant signs tide is turning." Guild President F. Hugh Herbert expects that increased studio production and larger revenues to members from television will ensure 1954 as more profitable year for Guild. "Wide, curved screens of CinemaScope, which arc bringing customers back to the theatres cannot fail to pressage a wide upward curve in prosperity to writers, without whom anamorphic lens is just a piece of interesting optical glass." A LEC GUINNESS is gaining fast ^* as box-office attraction in U.S.A., where, according to Mr. John Davies of the J. Arthur Rank Organisation, British films are not getting a fair booking deal. Right now The Captain's Paradise— despite serious troubles with local censorships and with Production Code — is booming at the boxoffice. Salt Lake City exhibitor, closing for installation of CinemaScope and re-opening with The Captain's Paradise, spread across the front of his Theatre the words : " Closed To Install Guinnescope." In Quebec Province, Canada, strong Roman Catholic area, the Louis de Rochemont film Martin Luther has been banned on grounds that it is likely to be " offensive to various religious groups." British film Oliver Twist was banned under same regulation as a result of Zionist pressure. The film was included by American critics as among the "top-ten" movies of 1953. Quebec Province will not see unless the ban is lifted, except in Lutheran churches where private showings can be given, on condition that the showings are not advertised. KNXT CBS's Hollywood staJVliyvxj tion, advertising a Shakesperian TV. series, says : " Will was a rave on the Avon. In London, boffo. And for the 300 following years of legit., he's been it. But could he repeat on television?" It seems that Will could and did repeat on television, thanks to Dr. Frank C. Baxter, " idol of the University of Southern California." " With USC idol Dr. Frank C. Baxter in charge of the class, Shakespeare and Baxter were an immediate hit." LIKE Westerns? Listen to Terry Ramsaye in " Motion Picture Herald " : " There is probably as much shooting every year in metropolitan New York as in the whole history of Tombstone, Cripple Creek, Dodge City, Cheyenne and Santa Fe." Programmes at the National Film Theatre in February and March include Stroheim's Foolish Wives; Harry Langdon in Long Parts (1927); Anthony Asquith's Shooting Stars (1927); and Pudovkin's Storm Over Asia (1928).