International photographer (Jan-Dec 1941)

Motion pictures jn DeFense pROQRAM Through The Auspices of the Research Department of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences the motion picture industry will do its share in contributing to the defense program upon which the United States is now embarked. Arriving here recently was Major General James P. Mauborgne whose duties will be to explain the wishes of the United States Army in connection with production of motion picture film to be utilized in the national defense program. Also arrived are Colonel Major John L. Ballentvne of the Infantry and Colonel Gordon P. Savoy of the Cavalry. Major Charles Strodter, Signal Corps Officer, has been assigned to Hollywood to act as liaison officer. Major General Mauborgne has made it known that through the use of motion picture film, men will be trained four to five times faster than under normal conditions. Of significant help will he the use of motion pictures in explaining the operations of mechanical devices and equipment, as well as discovering faults these may have when employed in maneuvers and war tactics, all of which is covered in every phase by the motion picture cameraman. The Major advised that the Signal Corps of the U. S. Army is not as well equipped as Hollywood to render this service where it will be done on a cost basis without anv profit to the motion picture industry. This will be the contribution of the motion picture industry to the national defense program. Certain writers have agreed to contribute their services but the lower bracket working class which will be composed of all technical help will be paid in accordance with the union scale. At present there are writers working with the respective army officials in planning the types of pictures that ought to be made. There will be no press releases or publicity given these pictures. They will be the property of the Army and those taking part in the creation of these pictures will be servants of the United States Government. Naturally it will consist of work in 35 millimeters. There is the possibility that some of it may be done in 16 millimeter. Laboratory facilities have already been set up and different studios will be assigned their particular job. The General emphasized one important and surprising statement; that is, that the contribution of the motion picture indusry to defense can be made to be more important than that of the steel industry. CEORqE Barnes, Winner, Ac Ad e My AwARd WINNER OF THE Academy Award for the best photographic contribution, in black and white, was George Barnes, much respected member of Local 659, for his notable work on Selznick International Production, "Rebecca." Award for the best color photography was bestowed upon George Perinal for his outstanding work on the Alexander Korda Production, "Thief of Bagdad." Perinal probably will be among the last to learn of the honor, as he is now with the British armed forces. Sometime ago International Photographer published a story dealing with the activities of Lawrence Butler, who was responsible for so much of the special effects in "Thief of Bagdad." Recognition of his work by International Photographer was confirmed by the award to Butler of the Academy plaque for special effects. There is much more we will hear about from Larry Butler. By coincidence Joe Rucker, newsreel cameraman for Paramount, who went to the South Pole with Byrd on his first expedition and was awarded not only an Oscar but the Congressional Medal, was there to photograph George Barnes, winner of the award for black and white photography. The change in the manner of presenting the awards this year caused much "sitting on the edge of chairs." The tabulations by the auditors were not announced or known to anyone until the awards actually were presented at the dinner. The outstanding event at the banquet was the talk delivered by President Roosevelt in which he addressed the industry and made known his regard for its import.ance in our modern civilization and its niifi 6 Nationa cance in rendering services in the Defense Program. George Barnes, Member Local 659, awarded the Academy "Oscar-1 for best black and white photography. International Photographer for March, 1941