International photographer (Jan-Dec 1935)

Fourteen The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER January, 1935 "THE OLD MOVIE DAYS" Under this head Paul Powell is writing a series of stories of the times before sound, which appear three times a week in the Pasadena Independent , published by Fred F. Runyan. Paul Powell needs no introduction to the moving picture public. Just why he is not still directing motion pictures is a question that must be answered by himself, but if the reader happens to be one of those who does not know Mr. Powell, it may be said here that he is one of the best directors that ever handled a megaphone and may he return soon to his rightful place in the spotlight of the screen. Here's the yarn: Candor compels the admission that the story was pretty bad. It was handed to the writer by the late Abraham Carlos, for several years general manager of the William Fox West Coast studios, and the official who was in direct charge of all the company's production activities. Mr. Carlos knew nothing about the story except that it had been sent on from the New York office with instructions to put it into production at once. The New \ork office had also expressed the opinion that it seemed to be a first rate vehicle for George Walsh, one of the Fox stars. Puzzling Story Having just been given the assignment to direct the next Walsh picture, the writer took the story home that night to examine. To say that it puzzled him would be a gross understatement. It amazed him that the head office, usually so critical about expenditures on the coast, should have wasted postage on it. Hundreds of similar scripts in those days poured into the studios from amateurs who had heard that the moving picture companies were paying fancy prices for stories, and who felt confident that their ideas would make better pictures than they ever saw on the screen, but stories such as the New York office had approved never got past the boys who opened the mail. Gets Instruction This one was amateurish to the last degree, incoherent and wholly devoid of plot. Assuming that a mistake had been made the writer returned it to Carlos next day. Carlos read it and agreed that it was impossible. He wired New York about it and received a laconic message repeating the instructions to produce it. In the face of this order the story could not be ignored. It was finally decided to retain the title and put a couple of contract writers in the studio's story department to work on an entirely new story which would fit the title. This was what was eventually done, and the picture was made. There was, of course, nothing in it remotely resembling the original script. Believe It or Not While the picture was being prepared for shipment to the New York office the writer went to work on a new picture. He was on location with his company when the previous picture reached the head office. Next day came a telegram from Carlos stating that in accordance with telegraphic instructions received from New York he was obliged to discharge the writer instantly and recall the company to the studio. On returning to Los Angeles the writer found Carlos mystified over the instruction to fire the director without any reason being assigned, but he had no alternative. The explanation did not develop until weeks later when Carlos returned from a visit to the New York office. What he learned there was, that the script was the maiden effort in scenario writing of William Fox. Of interest to both amateurs and professional pro NEW DE VRY REEL FOR 16 MM. jectionists is the new reel just placed on the market by H. A. DeVry, Inc. Rims and spokes are made entirely of spring steel bands, so that no matter how violently reel is bent, it immediately springs back in perfect alignment. Even stepping on it doesn't hurt it. This feature is greatly aided by spaces left at the bottom of each spoke, for molecular expansion — a well known characteristic of any metal which suffers violent strain. No existing reel has made provision for this scientific fact. The spokes are riveted to the rims — not zvelded, as is customary, because welding adds to brittleness. Automatic Clipping Another innovation. The operator can clip film to reel as easily in the dark as in the light. Merely lay film over a well in top of hub, and press down lightly with finger. Perforations catch automatically in two prongs, which hold it securely until end of run. The reel is for 16 mm. film and holds 1600 feet. A companion reel for 35 mm. film is under way. OBITUARY Funeral services were held December 28 for Jules Cronjager, one of our pioneer motion picture cameramen, who died Christmas day, ten days after suffering a paralytic stroke. Two of Cronjager's nephews, Eddie and Henry Cronjager, Jr., are also cameramen. Jules was 54. The services took place at the Reynolds-Eberle Mortuary in Pasadena. Phone CLadstone 4151 HOLLYWOOD STATE BANK The only Bank in the Industrial District of Hollywood under State Supervision Santa Monica Boulevard at Highland Avenue ICTER^ In OO^rlJ'OOiJ^ Us* ac? rO^^nlisjbt' and (SJi^br Is in Daytime ~Fvy Scenes&A F^cus.anJ many ^tt?«r ef fscrs With any Camera ~ In any Ulimare GeorcjG H. ScKeibo ORIGINATOR OF EFFECT FILTERS 1927 WEST 78™ ST. LOS ANGELES, CAL. Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.