Problem of the Third Dimension

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22391, 11 April 1936, Page 12 (Supplement)

Problem of the Third Dimension

Only one great problem remains to be solved in screen photography, according to John Arnold, camera chief at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. In spite of the tremendous progress of screen photography, the third dimension is still the same bewildering mystery. Arnold, who is responsible for many outstanding developments in film photography since sound was introduced, believes that the problem of colour has been solved as nearly as it ever will bo. Camera motions and effects, he says, have been to a great degree perfected. Arnold has announced the discovery of a noiseless camora principle that will permit work with tho light equipment of silent days, thus removing the last barrier the advent of sound placed against location work. Super portable sound recording equipment is now in common use. Arnold considers that the future will see this perfected, possibly through some refraction process, and then "actual life" pictures will become possible. It may, however, ho adds, take years. "Whether colour will last in screen drama is hard to predict," he says. "There have been many improvements since, and its popularity in cartoon subjects is established in the ITarmari(sing and Disney creations. But seeing an entire feature in colours still carries the danger of eye fatigue, in spite of the fineness of the new colour films."