FILM OF AIR RACE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27169, 13 October 1953, Page 8

FILM OF AIR RACE

VENTURE BY MOVIE CLUB COVERAGE FROM START TO FINISH Tomorrow evening crews of aircraft that have flown to Christchurch in the air race and members of the public will be able to see a moving film with commentary and sound effects showing scenes from before the aircraft left London to their arrival in Christchurch. The film, which has been made by the Christchurch Movie Club, will be shown at the international documentary film festival being conducted by the Christchurch Film Society.

Members of the club believe that the filming and screening by tomorrow evening of a film covering an event reaching nearly half-way across the world must constitute a record. The club has spared no effort to secure a comprehensive coverage of the race. Three months ago, when the idea of making such a film was suggested, the club wrote to Mr Leslie M. Froude, an internationally famous amateur photographer, and secretary of U.N.I.C.A. The outcome was that U.N.I.C.A. offered to film air race preparations in London and scenes at the start. At a time when the club was contemplating an approach to all captains of handicap section aircraft seeking their co-operation in taking pictures along the route, a club member recognised the voice of a war-time friend in a broadcast made by members of the crew of the R.N.Z.A.F. entry in the race? When he heard what the club was doing this man offered to take a and film scenes along the route. About the same time Captain W. Baillie, commander of the Viscount 700, was in Christchurch. He agreed to accept a camera and film m London. The club then decided to send two cameras to England by the Hastings, one to return with the Hastings and the other with the Viscount. Film Arrives A parcel of films taken before the start of the race in England was brought to Christchurch by Squadron Leader P. L. Raw in his Canberra, but the aircraft commander was unaware that the film was aboard his aeroplane. Wing Commander D. R. Cuming, who arrived in Christchurch yesterday, carried the film as far as Cocos Island, where a tyre on his Canberra burst and he was put out of the race. Minutes later Squadron Leader Raw swept into Cocos. In spite of the bad luck that had befallen him, Wing Commander Cuming remembered the film and threw it into Squadron Leader Raw’s aircraft. When he arrived at Harewood Squadron Leader Raw said he knew nothing about any film being on his aircraft, but it was subsequently picked up by officials inspecting the aircraft. When the club sought Wing Commander Cuming’s help to bring the film to New Zealand, his adjutant radio-telephoned Christchurch instructing that the club’s representative in London should see the wing commander when he reached the United Kingdom. Film from England and also Melbourne arrived in Christchurch for the club on the Viscount, and Mr E. Bristowe, a radio operator on the Viscount who is also an experienced photographer, took films on the way out. Films of the start of the race will be flown out by normal civil air services. In Australia the Federation of Australian Amateur Cine Societies sent circulars to its clubs and members asking them to be ready to take films -wherever the race aircraft landed. More than 100 letters were written to organise filming along the route. These films will be coming to Christchurch by surface mail. Some Australian film has already reached Christchurch in the Viscount. The club even expects that it ’ may receive some film from Cocos Island. It wrote to a photographer there seeking his co-operation. Extensive Tests In Christchurch extensive tests were made by club cameramen so that they would be able to operate under any conditions. At 3.30 a.m. on Saturday, there were nine cameramen between Christchurch and Harewood ready to §o into action. In spite of the weather, ie organisation was so good that there was not a hitch, and the arrival and interviewing of every aircraft and its crew were recorded to a degree that would almost seem impossible under the conditions.

Much of the film has already been processed. From 5 p.m. on Saturday members of the editing team have been busy at work, and members have also been working on sound effects and a commentary. Last night a reporter was shown scenes at London airport, including the three transport section aircraft moving off on the long flight to New Zealand. Club cameramen nave realistically interpreted the scene at Harewood during the early hours of Saturday mornwhen the first Canberras came in. “The whole thing has only been made possible through the work of amateurs,” said the secretary of the club (Mr L. T. C. Hudson) yesterday. “Otherwise, the cost would have been colossal.” Producers of the films are the president of the club (Mr R. W. Geoghegan) and vice-president (Mr A. R. Rees).