I Think Humongous Is The Word…
On October 9, 2013
- TV History
I Think Humongous Is The Word…
Standing beside one of the Technicolor cameras on the set of ‘Gone With The Wind’ is director Victor Fleming, camera operator Arthur Arling and cinematographer Ernest Haller. When this movie was in production, there were only about 6 or 7 of these cameras in existence and Fleming used all of them for the burning of Atlanta scenes. All together, I don’t think there were but about 30 of these cameras made for world wide use. The blimp housing is said to have weighed around 220 pounds. Add another 100 for the camera and you’ve got a hernia.
One of those cameras wound up at NY commercial production company MPO where Jerry Hirschfeld used two of the three strips for his patented infrared traveling matte process. As AC, I would start the day before production, slowly rewinding 1000′ loads in a darkroom, because the magazines had to be loaded with emulsion out. As for the ties, my brother wore one to work everyday; people might forget his name, but they would remember the AC with the tie. Thanks for posting Ira.
There is a great documentary about Technicolor, on both GWTW and Wizard of Oz DVD’s and Blu-Ray’s.
Do they make a shoulder mount for that?
The only time I ever saw suit and ties was on Alfred Hitchcock’s last movie, “Family Plot.” He and head of the departments had to wear them including the Director of Photography Leonard South, who had operated on many of Hitchcock’s films.
Supposedly, the Model D’s took 10 minutes to reload. So to save time, when it came to reloading, they would open the rear door, slide the whole camera out and shove in a second, fully threaded one and be shooting in a few minutes.
Yes, it is my understanding that only bout 35 of the D model 3strip cameras were made. And made by Mitchell Camera.
I like that number of 320 lbs much better then the 750 lbs I read some where.
It would be rare to see a camera operator wearing a coat and tie today!!!
35mm. They were able to make these cameras glide. See the wonderful photography in GWTW.
70mm?