The international photographer (Jan-Dec 1932)

Twenty-two The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER December, 1932 EASTMAN FILMS BRULATOUR BULLETIN EASTMAN FILMS Published Monthly by J. E. Brulatour, Inc., Distributors, Eastman Films, in Cooperation with The International Photographer The Academy Honors When the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences sliced its big cake at its annual banquet held at the Ambassador Hotel late in November, it handed a generous slice to Walt Disney (Mickey Mouse's papa) for his outstanding achievement in the creation and production of "FLOWERS AND TREES," a "Silly Symphony" which was the first of a series of delightful cartoons produced in Technicolor. The recipient of the other piece of cake, the Technicolor Corporation, was given the official nod for the vital part it plays in these delightful color cartoons. At the moment Disney and Technicolor are working hand-in-hand in preparation of a "Symphony" in the holiday mood, which will present Santa Claus in his workshop with a marvelous arrangement of toys doing miraculous stunts which are bound to delight every member of the family from the baby to grandpa. It is confidentially whispered that we may not be greatly disappointed if we are anticipating Mickey Mouse's bursting forth in a grand array of color during the forthcoming season. Those who have seen the new Technicolor "Silly Symphonies" will agree that the entire industry is fully justified in doffing its hat to this delightful combination. Dean Bats For Stout When Archie Stout, cameraman for Trem Carr, recently broke his toe in a rather unusual accident, Faxon Dean was called in to take his place and complete the Rex Bell production, "DIAMOND TRAIL." Dean was assisted by Russ Harlan, who has more than one qualification which might place him in front of the camera instead of behind it. Harlan is an expert swimmer and is just as much at home in a saddle as a debutante in a chaise longue. Incidentally (judging from the flashes of the femmes on the set) he's not hard to look at. But Russ is a modest chap, so he'll probably continue going along at the camera. McClung III Hugh McClung, laboratory technician with United Artists, has been confined to his home with an attack of the (un) -popular "flu," which has swept Hollywood during the past several weeks At this writing McClung's condition is greatly improved, and he expects to be back on the job within a few days. Jack/nan's Special Effect Fred Jackman, wizard of the Warner lot, who has been miraculously "putting things where they aint" in Warner and First National productions, has been a visitor in the Special Effects Department of the Santa Monica Hospital. At times Fred may appear just a bit grouchy, but it is really worry over some of his perplexing problems. However, his appendix is happy — it's in alcohol in the Santa Monica Clinic. Chicago Supplement FILMING THE "PAGEANT OF PROGRESS" OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI FOR THE WORLD'S FAIR Gene Cour is supervising production and directing the picture that will be a major part of the exhibit of the State of Missouri at the Fair next summer. Scenes are being shot at the many historical places of interest as well as the modern civic developments of the last few years. The Ozark Mountain sequences will be shot in natural color, bringing to the screen the beautiful fall colorings of the foliage in that region. In addition to Cour the production crew consists of Robert Tavenier, first cameraman ; Rufus Pasquale, assistant, and Jerry Altifleish (of Flying Family fame), recordist. Football to Film During the past six weeks the Newsreel Cameramen in the Middlewest have been busy making a photographic record of all "Big 10" conference games. Every Saturday afternoon at the "Big 10" games you would be sure to find Jack Barnett and Floyd Traynham of Universal ; Eddie Morrison and Charley Geis of Fox Movietone ; Jimmy Buchanan and Orlando Lippert of Paramount, photographing those thrills of open field running . . . ninety-five yard return of punts for a touchdown . . . long forward passes . . . hard smashes through the line . . . and so on . . . and so on . . . on Eastman Super Pan. Movies on Glass Dick Ganstrom and Charley O'Connor of Jam Handy Productions at Detroit are photographing an unusual picture on the subject of Safety Glass, visualizing many of its interesting and romantic developments of manufacture, along with the safety advantages of this industrial product. The "Dance of the Wooden Soldier" sequence is a knockout and certainly something di.ferent from what you would expect in the process of the manufacture of glass. When the cameras are clicking, it's Eastman Super that's going through. McCord Again T. D. McCord has completed another Schlesinger-Rogell production at the Warner Brothers Studio. "SOMEWHERE IN SON OR A," starring John Wayne and directed by Mack V. Wright. Bernard Guffey held the spot as second, and John MacBurnie and Bill Clothier were assistants. Jennings Blows Up The annual golf tournament of Local 659 will probably be shy one entrant when Jimmy Palmer completes his list for 1933. Gordon Jennings seems to be out of the running. The big. strong fella, who is otherwise busy in his Special Effects Department at Paramount, is posolutely off the game. He has been spending a lot of money at the golf shops about Hollywood ; new woods, new irons and even new tees, but it is no good : three straight Sundays he's tried to kill his slice with the terribly disheartening and discouraging result that he hasn't been able to do better than a 75. (Anyway, Hap Depew doesn't care. George Blaisdell is whistling at his work, and Johnny Mescall hasn't even heard the hard-luck story.) John Swain Due John Swain, popular New York laboratory executive, who is well and favorably known to most of the cameramen in the industry, is scheduled to arrive in Hollywood about the time we go to press, at which time he will be associated with the local RKO Studios. He will enter immediately upon his duties there as supervisor of laboratory work. Roach Gang Frolics Recently Charlie Levin, lab superintendent of the Hal Roach Studios, set out to promote a quiet little party among the boys and girls on the lot. It was a party — oh, yes, it was a party — but it was not such a quiet one. Lots of things happened. Very sad incident when some of the boys and girls found themselves in the bathing pool without stopping to remove even a shoe. Dancing contest brought everybody a first prize — and growling dogs. Horseback riding brought many sore recollections to the few whose jobs provide a chair at a desk. It was a grand success and they are planning another one any minute — or just as soon as the whole gang recovers from the last one. The Forgotten Man There is a group of fellows in Hollywood who are never seen and very seldom heard — the night superintendents of the laboratories in whose hands rests the result of many difficult hours spent by the cameramen day in and day out. We hear a lot of talk about contrast, high'ights, shadow details and what have you ; but here are the boys that really know all of these things and a lot more. It isn't necessary to mention that these men, who actually develop the negative, play a vital part in the success or the failure of every cameraman in the business. Among those whom we have particularly noted recently are Irvin Millard at the Consolidated Plant, who has been on the job here for eight or nine years ; Albert Douglas, in Roy Hunter's Universal Lab, who has been on the job at this spot for seven years, and Cy Spencer, who has held this spot at the Columbia Lab for about a year (according to the calendar) — but on the amount of work he has turned out — well, write your own ticket. Normal Hinckey is the chef de soup at M.G.M. and has held this assignment since the old Goldwyn days back in 1920. At the Warner Lab Glen Lewis is the czar of the developing room and has been there long enough to have a long pink beard. Mike Leshing at the Fox Lab never loses any sleep, knowing that Bud Thompson, who also has been in charge of the negative for many years, is doing his stuff with full credit to himself, to the cameramen and to his company. Fanchon Royer Completes Ernie Miller has finished another production for Fanchon Royer under the direction of Breezy Eason. This one carries the tag of "BEHIND JURY DOORS." Ernie was assisted by Monty Steadman, and upon completing the Royer picture started immediately for Mascot (Nat Levine) at the same studio. Hey, Pop! Pete Steele, who is Fred Gage's shadow at the Warner Lab, took a runout powder early last week and was mysteriously absent for a day and a half. When he came back he had circles under his eyes, and just a glance at him instantly registered that here was a man who had suffered. He handed out the cigars and weakly wispered, "It's a boy !"