Movie Makers (Jan-Dec 1947)

19 FUN IN FILMS A novel method is offered by Western filmer FRED EVANS, ACL HAVING two little boys in our family, we found that making a child's birthday film was not an entirely new venture for us. Our past birthday films, and others that we had seen, generally consisted of opening shots of youthful guests arriving, scenes around the birthday table, the inevitable cake cutting, followed by opening gifts. Soon we were to be faced with our youngest boys second birthday, and I did not want to offer the same old routine again at screenings. Why not work out a little story that would have a novelty "twist" which would command interest, so that people outside of the family could enjoy our film record also? My wife and I began one of those film planning discussions which develop into a lot of fun and interest, as one idea leads to another. To start with, we wanted a "punch" opening and closing, with a little novelty footage sprinkled in between. The ideas began to come, and down on paper they went. We did not write a shooting script, but listed the various episodes and shot each from memory as the filming progressed. The final screen result was a black and white, 125 foot birthday film record, which, incidentally, took first prize in the annual contest of the Los Angeles 8mm. Club. The picture opens with the following series of titles — SPECIAL NOTICE! — The management, of this theatre proudly and excitedly presents — An M G M preview— MIGHTY GOOD MOVIES present (the capital letters are arched over the head of a kitten meowing) — Fred Evans' own production of — HOW TIME FLIES! (double exposed over face of clock with hands revolving). The opening scene shows a closeup of a man's feet coming down the sidewalk. A longer shot reveals the postman turning up the walk to our house. He is loaded down with his mail bag and a large wooden barrel. As he sets down the barrel, which appears to be very heavy, I come out of the house. The postman hands over a batch of letters and, as I shuffle through them, I remark (through title) , "Bills, bills — nothing but bills!" The letter carrier nods approval and says, pointing at the barrel, "Yes, it beats all what comes in the mail these days." A close view of the barrel top shows that it is addressed to my little boy. A medium shot shows me looking at the barrel, scratching my head in wonderment and then calling the other members of the family. Out comes Mother with our two little boys, to group near the barrel. Daddy pries off the lid and up jumps a little girl who hands out a card which reads in closeup, HAPPY BIRTHDAY— 2 YEAR OLD, to Billy from the gang. Daddy lifts the girl out and, to the amazement of all, up pops a little boy. The magic barrel continues to disgorge small children, one after another, until finally out comes a large boy who certainly must have filled every inch of the container. A title— NOW FOR THE PARTY— introduces the actual birthday sequence which was staged in the garden. The scene following the title shows a ping pong table. By stop motion, it sets itself. First the table cloth rolls on; then silverware, glasses, plates, decorations and chairs appear out of nowhere and seem to know just where to go. Next comes the big moment, with scenes of the guests [Continued on page 32] 8mm. scenes by Fred Evans, ACL • Replete with trick camera shots. How Time Flies! presented Billy's second birthday and earlier life with novelty and understanding.