Fascinating NBC Studio 3H Photo, 1939
On November 12, 2012
- TV History
Fascinating Photo
1939, NBC presents “Mamba’s Daughters” staring Ethel Waters, seen here in the head scarf. The play is running on Broadway and is similar to the movie ‘The Help’, which is pretty interesting television fare for the time. The cameras are Iconoscopes and the cameramen are ‘interesting’. On the left, one is wearing a pith helmet, the one in the center has a handkerchief taped to the viewfinder and draped over his head and the guy on the right has some nice suspenders. With as many jackets as I see, the AC must be working given the immense banks of flood lights. Interestingly, not many shadows to be seen.
When I started in broadcasting we had to “dress up” to go to work. Just shirt and tie. Used a clip-on tie if I worked video tape. Those quad machines could kill you if your tie got tangled in one of the reels in fast fwd or reverse. Took off ring too. Also in the late 60’s into the 70’s we often had to light in studio up to 500 foot candles. Needed good AC. The performers would sweat under the lights and the camera people needed heavy jackets!
I assume this is Experimental Studio 3H?
Was your Dad one of those people??
It looks like a place to cook bacon with all those lights. The camera’s were probably about ASA 10 in light sensitivity.
The heat must have been incredible.
Although there’s likely some very heavy duty AC going, I’m guessing camera ops with the pith helmet and handkerchief are right in the direct heat of those lights– and the helmet helps keep light off the vf.
Bobby – it is interesting to see that there are no shadows! Very interesting indeed!
@Harold – as someone who works in outside broadcast, I sure am glad that we don’t have to wear ties and jackets to work! In fact I love the fact that I can wear shorts on a production1
The days when the Engineering Crews use to wear jackets and ties to work when it was a real profession.
Great photo. wonder how they felt being in on the beginnings of an industry