The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

December 1955 CINE TECHNICIAN 187 Lab Topics (Continued) that my earnest hope is that Pop Selby will be remembered by the people in this Film Industry for at least sixty-eight years, which was his age when he died. Technicolor, for various reasons, has a few employees who for some months have failed to meet their financial obligations to A.C.T. Many of us have in the recent past spent a lot of time in pointing out to them what we believe to be the errors of their ways, ending up with a visit to them from Head Office of Dan Frostick, Temporary Assistant Organiser. The result of all this effort, I am very pleased to state, is that the majority of these people will soon be back in our ranks as fully paidup members, owing no money whatsoever to the Union. This news, I believe, everybody will accept as good, but until everybody working in an A.C.T. graded job is in A.C.T. not even the latest newcomer to the Union must let up in his or her efforts to persuade the non-members to become members. Dan Frostick tells me that Colour Film Services, which specialises in the duplication of Kodachrome originals, started about eight years ago in a basement in Welbeck Street, staff at that time consisting of about three people, which included Roland Chase, the " Governor." Equipment was one Lawley Printer for mute and sound, a Victor Projector and a couple of rewinds, etc. This Company has come along well and now occupies very good premises in Portland Place and has a staff of about thirty-six. The A.C.T. membership is nearly 100%, the odd non-members being office and managerial staff. The present Shop Steward is Bro. A. Woods, and although he has had no previous Trade Union experience, he doing a very good job. The C.F.S. Lab is not a member of the F.L.A. but the A.C.T. lads have been putting in a lot of work drawing up local arrangements with the company, and the shop committee, working in co-operation with our Organisers, hope to present a draft agreement to the management in the near future. Bill Whittimore states that Jack Lucas, after 25 years' service with Humphreys, is leaving. We wish him well. There is great dissatisfaction among our older members at Denlabs regarding the method of promotion in this firm. It is felt that promotion is going more and more to new entrants to the industry and old-established members are being overlooked. While everybody concerned agrees this may well be justifiable in some cases, their opinion is that the proportion of new to old is something deeper than mere coincidence. Monica Toye and her committee will, of course, be taking this matter up locally, I hope to the satisfaction of all concerned. This is the third year Pathe have entered a football team for the Kine Cup, and for the first time they have reached Round Two by beating British Acoustics 4 — 2 on Pathe's home ground at Tattenham Way, Epsom. The few people who turned up to watch enjoyed some good football with plenty of excitement. In the first half, with Pathe kicking down the slope, but against the wind, the play was fairly even, and the boys were fortunate to end the first half 4 up, but they certainly made the most of their opportunities. Billy Hollard scored the first goal, followed by a hattrick from Jimmy Algar. Albert Richards, the Captain, was also prominent in attack, so the " Engineers " had a field day. In the second half, except for an occasional break-away, it was all British Acoustics, and the Pathe goal bore a charmed life. Two or three shots hit the woodwork and several others were only inches wide. Both goals came from good shots which gave Brian Bolt no chance. The defence in the second half played well, but Pathe were very glad to hear the final whistle. The boys meet Kodak in the next round and hope to get their revenge for the 2 — 1 defeat they suffered at Harrow two years ago. The match will again be on Pathg's home ground at Tattenham Way. A.C.T. Badges may be obtained, price one shilling each, from Head Office. Shorts & Documentary Section STEVE COX WRITES: Well done Data! Data Film Productions' December issue of " Mining Review ", No. 4, 9th year, is the Magazine's hundredth issue. Data have been producing this series for the past eight years. The sponsor is now the National Coal Board. The films are screened in 400 theatres monthly, mainly in mining areas in Great Britain. This is probably the longest running and most seen industrial news magazine to reach the public theatres. Director/Cameraman Derek Williams goes hot and cold, not through fright or excitement, but just doing a job of work. On returning from Aden, after shooting World Wide Pictures' Oil Harbour — Aden, a film for Wimpey's, he is now on his way with colleague George Lowe filming part of the Antarctic Expedition led by Doctor Fuchs. Let's hope he doesn't get cold feet. Other news from World Wide is that after eleven years' service with the company Supervising Editor Frances Cockburn is leaving to take a post at the C.O.I. as Film Officer. Congratulations Frances, and every success in your new venture. Congratulations also to Julian Bond, Writer/ Director of Green Park Productions, on his marriage on November 10th to Gabrielle Blunt, film and TV actress. Film Workship have just completed a series for A.T.V. featured in John Arlott's " Hobby Corner ". Each of these films covers pastimes of general interest. One write-up in the National Press stated that the game of " Shove Ha'penny " was the brightest spot, ideal for TV and very exciting. Film Workshop unit on these consisted of: Producer/Director, Maxwell Munden, Cameramen, Morton Lewis and Derek Taylor; Assistant Director, Ron Genders; Editor, Steve Cox; Assistant Editor, Bill Huthert; and the Rotherhithe Sound Unit, headed by Jack Miller.