The international photographer (Jan-Dec 1934)

The Cameraman Is the Spokesman for That Amazing International Language Called the Motion Picture. THE CAM Vol. I. MONTHLY NEWS OF PRODUCTION CARRYING HOLLYWOOD TO LONDON FOX At a recent meeting of the British Kinema Society, in London, our own Lloyd Knechtel, for many years in charge of the special effects department at R-K-O, read a paper on "Trick Photography" which was accompanied by the screening of reels of film in which trick photography and optical printing were explained, says the London Kinematograph. Mr. Knechtel showed the various methods employed to overcome difficulties — optical printing, process photography, miniature work and glass painting. Mr. Knechtel then introduced Ned Mann, who has come over from Hollywood to handle the problems of H. G. Wells' "The Shape of Things to Come," for Alexander Korda. Mr. Mann soon had his audience roaring with laughter over his experiences on some big pictures, these being recounted in a dry, laconic manner. His most successful story was that of making mechanical bulls for "The Kid From Spain," to act with the real Mexican bulls in the picture. Eddie Cantor wanted four bulls and kept changing his mind regarding what he would do with them, until Sam Goldwyn, exasperated, said: "See here, Eddie, you make me laff with one bull — that'll do." Work on "Noah's Ark," when levers were pulled too soon and cameras swept away in the resultant flood; building up sets of New York with the Chrysler and Empire Buildings in one shot; complaints that skyscrapers were in the wrong place: two dozen liners and 200 barges and the sets put on railway lines to give the idea of the sliding of the city into an abyss were recounted. Following screen demonstrations, Mr. Knechtel resumed his talk, explaining how the effects were achieved and mentioning a big battle scene which was acted by only 15 men. A member, rising to propose a vote of thanks, said he had been astounded by the perfection to which the tricks he had practiced 25 years ago were brought. METRO-GOLDWNMAYER "TARZAN AND HIS MATE." Producer, Bernard Hyman; screenplay by J. K. McGuinness; adaptation by Leon Gordon ; first cameramen, Clyde De Vinna and Sid Wagner. Cast: Johnny Weissmuller, Maureen O'Sullivan, Neil Hamilton, Doris Lloyd, Frank Reicher, Paul Cavanaugh. "OPERATOR 13." Producer, Lucian Hubbard ; from the original story by Robert W. Chambers ; screenplay by Harvey Thew and Zelda Sears ; first cameraman, George Folsey. Starring Marion Davies and Gary Cooper. "HOLLYWOOD PARTY." Producer, Harry Rapf; director, Alan Dwan ; music, Rodgers and Hart, Brown and Freed ; first cameraman, Hal Rossen. Cast: Jimmie Durante, Lupe Velez, Jack Pearl, Laurel and Hardy, Polly Moran, Charles Butterworth, George Givot and others. "THE SHOW OFF," starring Spencer Tracy, was directed by C. F. (Chuck) Reisner. James Wong Howe directed the cinematography. It is an M-G-M opus. William Daniels hit the cinematographic bull'seye twice in succession when he photographed "DINNER AT EIGHT" and "QUEEN CHRISTINA," both M-G-M aces. The latter, especially, seems destined to become a classic with Garbo starred and Dupont film. George Folsey shot "GOING HOLLYWOOD," co-starring Marion Davies and Bing Crosby. The cinematography of this picture received much favorable comment from the critics. "THREE ON A HONEYMOON." Producer, John Stone; from the novel, "Promenade Deck" by 1 shbel Ross ; screenplay by Edward T. Lowe and Raymond Van Sickle ; director, James Tingling ; assistant, Bert Sebell ; first cameraman, Joe Valentine; operative cameraman, Art Arling ; stills, Emmett Schoenbaum and Frank Powolny ; recording engineer, Albert Protzman ; film editor, Alex Troffey ; art director, Duncan Cramer ; chief electrician, Tommy Ouellett ; chief grip, George Carpenter ; chief prop, Al Steinberg. Cast: Sally Eilers, Zasu Pitts, Henrietta Crosman, Charles Starrett, John Mack Brown, Russell Simpson, Cornelius Keefe, Irene Hervey. "FREE GOLD" (tentative title). Producer, John Stone; screenplay by Lester Cole and Henry Johnson; director, George Marshall; assistant, Sam Schneider ; first cameraman, Joe Valentine ; operative cameraman, Irving Rosenberg; assistants, Warner Cruze and Roger Shearman ; stills, Emmett Schoenbaum ; recording engineer, Al. Protzman; film editor, Fred Allen; art director, Duncan Cramer ; chief electrician, C. Redd ; chief grip, George Carpenter; chief prop, Frank Baker. Cast : Claire Trevor, John Boles, Harry Green, Monroe Owsley, Roger Imhoff and others. "MURDER IN TRINIDAD." Producer, Sol M. Wurtzel ; author, John Vandercook ; screenplay by Seton I. Miller; director, Louis King; assistant, Sid Bowen ; first cameraman, Barney McGill ; operative cameraman, Curtis Fetters, asssitants, William Whitley and Milton Gold; stills, John English; recording engineer, Barney Fredericks; film editor, Alexander Troffey ; art director, Duncan Cramer ; chief electrician, Si Adams ; chief grip, Charlie Hall; chief prop, Earl McKee. Cast : Nigel Bruce, Heather Angel, Victor Jory, Harvey Clark, Murray Kinnell, Pat Somerset. "TOO MANY WOMEN." Producer, Al Rockett ; author, Vera Caspary ; screenplay by June Storm, Oscar M. Sheridan, Lenore Coffee; director, James Flood ; assistant, Percy Ikerd ; first cameraman, L. W. O'Connell; operative cameraman, Harry Jackson ; assistant, Eddie Collins ; recording engineer, George Leverett ; assistant, William Brent ; film editor, Dorothy Spencer ; art director, Gordon Wiles ; chief electrician, John Blanke; chief grip, Fred Richter ; chief prop, Tommy Plews. Cast: Warner Baxter, Rosemary Ames, Rochelle Hudson, Henrietta Crosman, Herbert Mundin, Lillian Stuart. "ALL MEN ARE ENEMIES." Producer, Al Rockett ; author, Richard Aldington ; screenplay by Samuel Hoffenstein and Lenore Coffee ; director. George Fitzmaurice ; assistant, William Tummell ; first cameraman, John -S'eitz ; operative cameramen, Joe McDonald and Richard Towers ; assistants, Jack Epstein and Harry Webb ; stills, Mack Elliott ; recording engineer, E. Clayton Ward ; film editor, Harold Schuster; art director, Max Parker; chief electrician, Jack Frier ; chief grip, George Switzer ; chief prop, Edward Donahue. Cast : Hugh Williams, Helen Twelvetrees, Herbert Mundin, Mona Barrie, Halliwell Hobbs, Henry Stephenson, Una O'Connor. R-K-0 "LONG LOST FATHER." Author, G. B. Stern ; adaptor, Dwight Taylor ; director, Ernest B. Schoedsack ; first cameraman, Nick Musuraca ; film editor, Paul Weatherwax. Cast: John Barrymore, Helen Chandler, Donald Cook, Alan Mowbray, Claude King. "MEANEST GAL IN TOWN." Author, Arthur Horman ; adaptors, Richard Schayer, Russell Mack and H. W. Hanemann ; first cameraman, J. Roy Hunt; recording engineer, George D. Ellis ; film editor, James B. Morley. Starring: Zasu Pitts. METROPOLITAN Shooting: "THE CATSPAW." First cameraman, Walter Lundin ; operative cameraman, William Stuart Thompson ; assistants, Ellis Carter and Harold Carney ; stills, Eugene Kornman. Starring : Harold Lloyd. Buzz Berkeley directing a number fror F Satterfield, assistant and George Barnes, f irr :a composite made by Bert L MISCELLANEOUS Ralph Staub has begun work of direction' his ninth comedy for Warner Brothers. Hi; a' is Ben Blue. Joe Rucker, famous for his work with the rc expedition in the Antarctic, is on his way t;l Orient where he has a newsreel assignmei j< China and Manchukuo. His return to th<»' homestead at San Francisco is indefinite. George (John of Gaunt) Lancaster depart! ■' Washington's Birthday for the ghost-town o Nevada to complete the cinematography on h(| teresting little film classic, "Ghost Towns C" Mother Lode." The Academy of Motion Picture Arts ancfl ences, in its annual primary awards, nom.J' as candidates for "Best Photography" Cl» Lang of Paramount, as cinematographer o ' Farewell to Arms" ; George Folsey of M '* photographer of "Reunion in Vienna" ; Struss, Paramount, "Sign of the Cross." M. A. Anderson photographed the Chestil picture, "MURDER ON THE CAMPUS.' ' was directed by Richard Thorpe.