Home Movies (1944)

PACE 314 HOME MOVIES FOR AUGUST CINE ROUNDUP *k News Topics of Interest in the Realm of Movie Making Gasparcolor, a newly developed color photographic paper makes it possible for the amateur to make frame enlargements in color directly from his Smm. or 16mm. films. The paper is placed in the enlarger easel and the film frame image projected upon it, then developed as simply as black and white prints. At present entire product is going to armed forces; but as soon as the manufacturer, Gasparcolor, Inc., 1050 No. Cshuenga, Hollywood, can enlarge upon its plant, some of the material will likely be made available to amateur and professional photographers. ★ ★ ★ Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's short subjct department has purchased "Sons of the Conquistadores," a Princeton Film Center production. Originally trade in 16mm. kodachrome as a twoleeler, the picture has been re-edited to one-reel length, given a new musical score and will be released late this month for theatrical distribution. Its new title is "Somewhere in America," since the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, foi whom the subject was originally made, will retain both the 16mm. title and the rights to distribute the picture in that size throughout South America after its theatrical release in this country i« completed. Sale of the production to MGM ranks it as one of the first 16mm releases to be purchased by the Hollywood corporation for enlargement to the 35mm. size, reprinting in Technicolor and eventual theatrical use. The trend is notworthy in that it marks a precedent in the unending search for good short subject material. ★ * ★ George O. Smith, whose youthful cine career was chronologed in the December, 1942, issue of Home Movies, is now rounding out his second year as cinematographer with the Army Signal Corps. Much of his success in the pursuit of his cinematographic career is clue to the guidance and encouragement received from his devoted mother, Bess Foster Smith. His recent 23 rd birthday was the occasion for a memorable letter from her in which Mrs. Smith expressed the highest encouragement and optimism for his future. Part of the letter follows: "Dear George: Today is your twentythird birthday. . . . Although since your twenty-first birthday you have had to detour from your original plans, such detour, I believe, has been a shorter road to your life's work. "You, of all service men, it seems to me, have either been most fortunate in being able to serve your country with your best talents, or have adjusted yourself and your talents to their service— I do not know which. Therefore, you have added to your experience and knowledge in your chosen line of work and at the same time, fulfilled your duty. "So, in your postwar planning, there is not the worry about the kind of a job you will get. I can see you are eager to create your own job in the field of opportunities that await in the motion picture business. This is evidenced by your wanting to spend your spare time taking pictures even after working long hours. . . . "I know, of course, that you will never return to the simple 'one man picture making' ventures you followed before the war when, as a mere youngster, you were promoting, directing, producing and exhibiting your own films. . . . "The important thing, it seems to me, is to be qualified for living, if and when you are released from service. And this means to have fitted yourself to give out with the best that is in you, and you will not have to worry about what comes in. It all goes back to the axiom, 'Give to the world the best that you have and the best will come back to you.' "With love. . . . "Your Mother, Bess." ★ ★ ★ After the tragic circus fire in Hartford, Connecticut, newsreel companies made a frantic search for amateur movie makers who might have made movies of the conflagration. Only one was located who successfully made pictures of the fire at its height, but because pictures were on 8mm., they were not adaptable for enlarging to 35mm. Most filmers who had their cameras along, were fortunate to escape with their lives, and the fire was over before they could compose themselves sufficiently to get their cameras into action. Arthur Hebert of Bristol shot 100 feet immediately after the disaster which he offered to Metro's News of The Day and Paramount News. ★ ★ ★ The American Air Force's First Motion Picture unit in Culver City, California, with a comparatively small group of soldier motion picture technicians, now produces more films in a month than any major studio. "Production of films for the Air Force," said Colonel Roy M. Jones, Commanding officer, "now exceeds the • Continual on Page ^42 • Embarking upon commercial film exhibition with a toy 16mm. projector several years ago, T. Sgt. George O. Smith has zoomed steadily up the ladder of success, is now chief cameraman with a Signal Corps unit at Long Island, New York.