BABIES QUEUE UP

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20208, 29 March 1940, Page 4

BABIES QUEUE UP

BUSY AFTERNOON OVER 100 SUBJECTS ST. JOHN CONTEST FILMING IN GISBORNE Babies queued up in large numbers at the Majestic Theatre yesterday afternoon to await their turn before the film camera. In the morning there was a steady stream, and in the afternoon there was a rush. This was evidence that the St. John Ambulance Association’s Dominionwide baby contest had attracted the interest of Gisborne parents, and at one stage the lounge of the theatre was uncomfortably crowded with mothers and babies, together with an occasional father. And, of course, when there is a gathering of babies, there is not always complete silence. The interest displayed seems to have assured the success of the contest, so far as Gisborne is concerned, at least, and as some excellent “shots" were secured the films, when they are screened, should provide interesting material. Nobody knows belter than a pho- 1 tographer the difficulty of securing good child studies, but Mr. Havelock Williams, the cameraman, seemed to have a knack of putting the children at ease, despite the strange 'surroundings, and he lost no time m taking | his pictures. The following is a typical example:— The child was seated on the table, which was arranged in a pleasing setting in the corner of the lounge. Baby looked round wonderingly at the many strange faces and gadgets He was given a rattle, and, shaking it, he forgot his self-consciousness. The powerful lights flashed on. The baby blinked at this new intrusion into his private life, stopped rattling and just stared with solemn face. Frantic endeavours were made to produce movement and a more happy expression. Mother and an attendant started some baby-talk and made gestures. Baby became interested, and the camera whirred. The noise attracted the child, who looked the camera direct in the lense. Mother spoke again, and baby looked at her and smiled. A final call from the cameraman brought further movement before the machine stopped whirring. “Thank you,” said the cinematographer, as he clicked off the lights- “ Next please.” And so they went on, one after another. The cameraman had a busy day, and photographed 102 babies. He was assisted by Mr. E. T. Doddrell, jun., whose movie camera was brought into use during the afternoon, following an accident to Mr. Williams’ machine. At least a further 50 babies were expected to come before the camera to-day.