Home Movies (1954)

lot more likely than your ficticious monster, Buster!" Reluctantly, I handed over the 16. I still felt that somewhere in the green depths below there was a sensational subject just waiting to be finally put on film. She took about twenty-five minutes to clamber down and shoot the remaining film and climb back up again. "There's babies there all right," she mused rather dubiously, "but I dont' know if there was enough light. I hope they come out okay — cute little rascals." Without warning, the water in the center of the cove began to boil and roil. I clutched her arm. "There's no film left" I began digging franctically through all my pockets. "I haven't got any extra, either!" she wailed. And while we stood there petrified, the biggest damn Manta Ray this side of the Fiji Islands surfaced, floated like an enormous black triangular blanket and finally swam leisurely out of the cove and out of sight. Do you know that to this day I can't stand the sight of baby sea gulls. But every fish story should have a topper. And if you don't think I have one, you're battier than a Peruvian belfry. Trouble is, it hurts to remember it much less go into it in great detail. Not long ago we took the kids down to our local amusement pier for a day's outing. As I loaded everybody into the car, the wife noticed the faithful old 16 dangling in its case from my shoulder. "Oh, don't lug that thing along today!" she complained. "Just for once I'd like to have you take the boys on the rides with me . . . instead of wandering off and spending all your time shooting the pier-zoo animals through the bars. Can't you devote just one day to your family?" I allowed as how I guessed I could and when we parked the car, I left old 16 behind for the first time since I bought it. Sometime later, after a frenzied afternoon among the candied apple stands ,the merry-go-round, the whiprides and all the other pike attractions — we were writing finis to an enjoyable day with one last ride on the ferris wheel when the shrieking began below us. The ferris wheel stopped, leaving all four of us swinging gently in the gondola some sixty feet above the crowds and concessions. I craned my head cautiously over the gondola's edge for a looksee at what all the yelling might be about. "Good grief!" I exclaimed. "Look at that!" Three more heads peered over the edge. Walking up the middle of the amusement zone with stately dignity came a lonely old lion that somehow had escaped his cage. He strolled along, completely ignoring the hysterical masses of fleeing humanity and those who pressed themselves against the concession stands in frozen terror. "Quick!" demanded the movieminded girl I married. "Slap the telephoto on and get him before they block him out of sight in an attempt to capture him." I leaned back and laughed softly. It had a rather hollow sound to it and the vaguest trace of agony in it. She whipped around, her eyes snapping with excitement. "Wings to grow," I said evenly, pointing to the car keys and then to my cameraless shoulder. "That first step down looks like a honey." You want to know something? Our kids get their little mouths washed out with soap whenever they happen to slip and say "ferris wheel" in front of momma and daddy. They don't understand why, of course, and I'd tell them except they both are getting interested in how daddy makes home movies and I don't want them prejudiced against their mother. New Auricon Camera PlantCompleted in Hollywood Berndt Bach, Inc., manufacturer and world-wide distributor of Auricon 16mm Sound-On-Film Cameras and Equipment Since 1931, has announced the completion of a new and modern plant at 6900 Romaine Street, Hollywood 38, California. New office and plant facilities were especially planned by Berndt-Bach for efficient design, development and production of high-quality, precision motion picture Cameras and Kinescope Recording equipment for the Film and Television Industries. Special facilities have been provided for research and development of natural-color film equipment for Television, Film Studio, and Educational use. Instant Threading with the "Clip" on all Compco Reels End the annoyance of trying to slip film into tiny slots! Exclusive Compco Reel with patented "Compco Clip" lets you thread reel instantly and surely even in the dark. Holds film firmly . . . releases film easily when unreeling. It costs no more to enjoy this annoyance-free feature. In all 8mm and 16mm sizes up to 600 feet wherever photographic equipment is sold! Ask for "the reel with the Compco Clip". I 2251 CORPORATION W. St. Paul Ave. Chicago 47 Manufacturers ol line photographic equipment since 1932 FISHER FILM CLEANER for Clear Pictures, Faultless Sound! Cleans! Preserves! 8 and 16mm Films! Save your precious films. Show them at their best, free from dirt, dust, specks and spots Eliminate annoying magnified fuzz and lint from your screened picture. With sound film you get undistorted, smooth reproduction without disturbing noises due to dirt on the sound track. Dry chemicals on soft, replaceable cleaner pads assure brilliant highlights and sparkling color. Easy, simple to use! For sale at your dealers, or send $3.95 direct. Postage paid. Satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded. FISHER MFG. CO., 1185 MT. READ BLVD., ROCHESTER 6, N. T. I. GOT A PROBLEM? ASK YOUR PHOTO DEALER 1 317