The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

December 1955 Readers' Letters TV Production at Highbury The General Secretary's rather sweeping statement regarding the abilities of the production crew at Highbury studio, in his article in the October "Cine Technician", invites criticism. May I say, Sir, that in no case, excepting those of David Bowen, our Boom Operator, and Arthur Graham, our Cameraman — both of whom are doing a wonderful job coping with our Multi-Camera technique — is a purely "television" job carried out by an ex-film technician. The members of the electronic side of High-Definition Films were all recruited from industries other than the film-making industry. Good luck to the " Cine Technician." Yours faithfully, John C. Bartlett. Sale of Ealing The strange thing is that while Ealing goes out of films and our production facilities shrink, the number of pictures made in British studios has slowly been increasing over the past three to four years. Your editorial on Ealing rightly draws attention to the fact that the sale of the studios "must lead to a general contraction of total employment." We ought to face the fact that the employers are squeezing more work out of less workers and fewer studios. Productivity is rising, but our members and those of the other film Unions are not gaining anything out of this greater productivity. The cost of living has been increasing by leaps and bounds, so we need more money in our pay packets. Let us determine that the employers are not going to keep all the fruits of our greater productivity, by seeing we all get salary increases. That is the lesson of the sale of Ealing Studios. Yours faithfully, Christopher Brunel. Our Cover Picture shows cameraman Egil Wexholt preparing to shoot under water. (See article on page 185) CINE TECHNICIAN Lab Topics 183 — Edited by — Alf Cooper \ T all times I wish my fellow ■'* A.C.T. members prosperity and good fortune, so it being Christmas time I can only emphasise these wishes and hope that in spite of rising costs in this wonderful land of ours where Tory freedom works, you will all have a good time at home with plenty of eats, drinks and fun. Also, having wrangled with the bosses all through this year round negotiation tables of one sort or another, I wish them Good Cheer, Good Luck and Prosperity, and hope that in the New Year ahead we may all enjoy equitably together the fruits of their finance and our labours. Death of Arthur Selby At the request and on behalf of the Denlab committee and members Bro. Bremson writes the following : With feeling of deepest regret I have to report the death from coronary thrombosis of Arthur Selby of Denlabs. Our sympathy goes to Mrs. Selby on this tragic occasion. Arthur Selby Arthur had devoted his working life to the film industry. As far back as the 1920's, when manager of Pictos, at Tottenham, he was one of the most popular men in the plant. When he had occasion to haul anybody over the coals he did it in the most forthright manner, not pulling any punches, but for all that he was fairminded and never bore malice. He had an amazing capacity for work and did not hesitate to don overalls and work side by side with the men in the developing-room. This will mean something to the older Lab members, who will remember just what conditions were like in the frame developing days. With the introduction of sound processing Pictos closed down, and Arthur Selby went to work at Olympic Kinematograph in the Joe Skitterel era — no managerial position for him — just a man learning to print on a Debrie sound-printer, and it speaks volumes for this man, who adapted himself so well to the new technique, that he became the first technician in this country to operate a combined picture, sound and superimposing title printer, which in the year 1933 was a most complicated affair. The machine had no master control band as we know them today. When Denham Laboratories opened towards the end of 1936 Arthur determined to work there, and on February 15th, 1937, was installed as Foreman Printer, training personnel and helping to overcome the teething troubles of a new Lab. With unflagging devotion to the job he helped to make Denlabs one of the foremost Labs in Europe. The management, recognising Arthur's capabilities, promoted him to various positions, culminating in his being made Progress. Superintendent, a job which he did with his usual quiet and cheerful efficiency. This roving commission around the firm brought him into even closer contact with the remainder of the staff, who got to like him so much that he lost the name that he had been christened with and became affectionately known as " Pop ". One could write reams about Pop Selby's cheerfulness and good nature; the way he overcame all difficulties on the job, but space sets it's own limitations, so let me end by saying that he worked hard — real hard — for over fifty years, and in humble tribute may I add (Continued on page 187)