The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

June 1954 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN 121 there is an abrupt dissolve to the editorial offices of the magazine, as the editor picks up the phone and calls Stewart. Until now, not a single word of dialogue has been spoken in the entire shot. " It was a terrific routine to plan and execute," said Burks. " We mounted the camera on the biggest boom on the Paramount lot, augmented by an extension. The chassis of the crane was moved by grips according to plan. It required many rehearsals to enable all concerned to familiarise themselves with the routine, the cues, etc. We laid out the whole thing one afternoon, completed the rehearsals, then next day shot it. We made ten takes before we finally got everything just as we wanted it. We spent half a day shooting. It was worth all the time and effort. We couldn't have told that much of the story in a whole day's shooting, using conventional methods." . . . The Flight of the White Heron — contd. with knowledge of their homeland and we found this the case wherever we went on the tour. Movietone freelance cameraman, Roger Mirams, head also of his own company, the " Pacific Film Unit," could, as they say there, " jack up " anything at a moment's notice, the impossible only taking a little longer. In Australia, our own band of colleagues at Movietone headed by the " guvnor," Harry Lawrenson, Chief Cameraman Syd Wood, known throughout the islands of the Pacific and certain pubs in Wardour Street, Cameramen John Leake and Mark McDonald. Mark came with us when Paul broke his wrist at Canberra, and we were indeed sorry to part with him at Perth. Wally Bird and Gordon Peck were true sound engineers — the inevitable cigarette, packet of sandwiches and a quiet hideout which only soundmen can discover. Sorry, Reg, but bless 'em, all the same. In Australia, too, were the film unit of the Department of Information and Cines^und, a fine lot, all union members, all working for what they can put into film making and not what they can get out of it, which in most cases was very little, compared with here and taking into account the exchange rate and high cost of living. Norman Fisher joined us at Colombo, then after Ceylon we went our different ways, Norman to Malta and Gibraltar and we went on to Uganda and then — home. We have now shaken the moths out of our winter overcoats into our tropical wear and console ourselves with a portable brazier. That reminds us — Paul and Jack did meet Marlyn Monroe when they were in Hollywood. Lucky people! " Kia ora koutou." Mr. George Moss APT members will learn with regret of the ■^ • ^ • -1• death of Mr. George Henry Moss, ot A.C.T. Head Office staff. A popular and familiar figure to all callers at Head Office and to all attending the Association's annual meetings, Mr. Moss joined the staff in October 1948. In the film industry, and likewise at A.C.T.'s Head Office, first names are used freely, surnames seldom. Rarely was George Moss, however, addressed other than as " Mr. Moss." This was due to no lack of friendliness on either side, nor was it intentional. It was rather an unintentional, wholly unconscious respect for formalities and manners that, long vanished, somehow embodied themselves in the methodical, dignified and occasionally censorious figure of George Moss as he went about his daily tasks. Like his father before him, George Moss was in the service of a wealthy society family; birth, training and ability enabled him to negotiate the intricate hierachies of the servants' hall and rise to a top position, having at one time no less than forty indoor and outdoor servants under his control. He knew most of the stately homes of an England long gone; and the country and town houses and even palaces of European aristocracies and royalties now extinct. His anecdotage, though suitably discreet, was considerable and admirable. It was after retirement that he took himself into A.C.T.'s office; if he found it an odd contrast to places known before, it was not apparent in his talk or behaviour. Quite the opposite. He very quickly won a special place for himself among staff and members, and was highly regarded by all. We shall miss him. On behalf of A.C.T. members and staff, " Cine " expresses sincere sympathy to Mrs. Moss and family Left: Reg Sutton with Leevers-Rich Tape Recorder. Right: Paul Wyand with Wall Soxind camera. Mr, Jimmy Hodges TPHE news that Jimmy Hodges, F.I.B.P., met his -1 death in a diving accident came as a grievous blow to his many friends. Hodges was chief underwater cameraman to Dr. Hans Haas' latest expedition to the Caribbean which set out from London in August. So far, the only news is that he died in a diving accident off Curacao on Good Friday. Lieut. -Commander H. J. Hodges, R.N.V.(S).R, was a brave man. A bank clerk at the outbreak of the war, he joined the Navy and, seeking dangerous work, was one of the first frogmen, and later Commander of a midget submarine. After the war he was engaged on Admiralty research into underwater photography, developed his own under-water camera (the Vinten-Hodges) and was one of the first to use colour under water. He was in charge of the under-water photography for many films. His courage, devotion to duty, coupled with his cheerful outlook and great modesty, gained him friends everywhere. His loss is a serious blow to the industry, and it is particularly tragic that he died only three days before the end of an eight-months' long expedition. Our deep sympathy goes out to his young wife and to his parents. The sea is his grave.