Home Movies (1950)

"MOTHER, may I go out to swim . . . ?" . . . but not in this outfit, DAUGHTER!1 DRESS UP THOSE LIBRARY FILMS by HAROLD B. RICE ALL ARDENT cine fans have a large library of "store bought" films that have accumulated over a period of years. Most of them have been purchased for record pusposes, such as the news-reels, but a great many are used for pure entertainment. Those "shoot'em up" Westerns that the kids never seem to tire of and those "old time" movies that bring a touch of nostalgia to grandma and grandpa. Many of them have certain sequences that can be lifted out and with a little imagination on anyones part can be turned into laugh-provoking situations that all will enjoy. That old time movie showing the "bathing beauties" of the gay nineties parading their charms on the beach. Suddenly they turn and sprint for the water. Or waddle for the water would be more appropriate — as who could sprint in those cover-alls? Just before their run for the surf, you might insert a shot of your shapely wife or sweetheart coming out of the bath-house in a Bikini suit and waving to them. Or if you have one of those striped "old timers," put it on and get in the act yourself. Everyone has a "Limpalong Flanigan" movie of the wide open spaces and this will provide many chances to "kid" your friends, relatives and yourself as well. The chase sequence with the posse in hot pursuit of "them thar varmints" will put Grandma in the act. Get a close-up of her rocking back and forth as if on a horse. Have her waving her arms and yelling, "Wait for me." Then pull back for a medium shot and we discover her on a hobby horse. Cutting this into your film at the right place will bring a smile to anyones face. Better yet, steal a scene yourself. All Westerns have a close-up sequence with the hero behind a rock shooting it out with the villain. Each time he shoots, insert a shot of yourself ducking behind a rock or tree. On the third shot from the hero raise your trustv shooting iron and SQUIRT WATER at him. A medium shot of yourself as you swagger out from your cover will end the sequence. Corny? Sure — but the greatest comedies of all time were pure corn. Now, let's go to work on the newsreel. Remember the time you were called in to photograph the President of the United States? Every news-reel has a close-up of some President, past or present, who is smiling directly into the lens and gives a friendly little wave of the hand. Just before he waves, cut in a close-up of yourself filming the scene. After the wave another close-up as you lower the camera and wave back. On all shots of this nature you must watch your backgrounds. If the news shot is at the airport, have some friend film you at an airport so the backgrounds will blend. If a similar background is not possible shoot from a low angle against the sky. How about the travelogues? Personalize them with shots of your wife doing the shooting. If your travels take you to France (via your purchased films) a beret will be enough to place her there. A Mantilla if you are in Spain or Mexico. By now your mind is probably working overtime with better ideas. Every G. I. treasures the pictures he has of his little sojourn across the pond. But very few have actual scenes of themselves in battle, although every major conflict was filmed and is available on both 8mm and 16mm. • continued on\Page 123 105