THE BARGEE

I heard that there was a film being made with some big stars on the local Grand Union Canal. I remember after work, I went with a friend to where Rose's Lime Juice used to be. Right next to a pub called The Whip And Collar, where there was a barge. Two men were being filmed with a parcel. One was Ronnie Barker and the other Harry H. Corbett. I recall seing some lights on the opposite bank and at least Eric Sykes.

I also heard that there was to be a filming session at what was then John Dickinson's Apsley Mills. (Their most famous product being Basildon Bond.) I went along on the Saturday morning to see what was happening. I crossed the field opposite my house. When I arrived at the canal bank the Book Depatment's factory, on different levels, had young women at the windows. I do not know how many were actresses or extras. They had to shout and wave at the barge going by that stretch of the canal. I found it interesting that the best wavers were placed more centrally

Ronnie Barker was the only star required that day and it was the last day of location filming. Before shooting started, I recall Ronnie Barker walking past before he boarded the barge.

I had with me my first cine camera. A Kodak Brownie standard 8. I took some brief film. I thought that there might be objections to this. But surprisingly, the film crew came up to me and showed interest in my primitive camera. We also had a brief chat about the film.

The session was very long and after awhile became tedious. Particularly when occupants of a barge had to collect a spanner, further along the canal bank.

I cannot recall if I was on my own or not. But sooner or later, I popped home for dinner. The filming session was still on.

When I saw the film at the local Hemel Hempstead Odeon, it was on and off the screen very quick.

Today, Rose's Lime Juice is B & Q. The Whip and Collar is an Indian restaurant called K2. The field is now built on plus a marina called Apsley Lock. The cine film, I intend to get transferred but I do not know when. It is inconvenient at the moment. When a few years later I joined The Hemel Hempstead Cine Society, now Hemel Hempstead Movie Makers, someone recognised me from that day, and stated that they wished they had a cine camera at that time. As for Ronnie Barker, I remember when I went home for my dinner, there was a comedy show on radio, and he was in it. I thought to myself, "I have just seen him."

I hope that this has not bored you all.

Usless Information:
The member who recognised me was David Harrington.

This item also appears on the britmovie website.

.Alan French

A MOTION PICTURE QUIZ FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

1: What film characters' adventues did Samuel Goldwyn reputedly decline to distribute as blown up on the big screen, they could frighten women?

2: What have Chief Thundercloud and Jay Silverheels in common?

3: What have Robert Livingston, John Hart and Klinton Spilsbury have in common?

4: Who portrayed the doctor and the woman he had a love affair with, in BRIEF ENCOUNTER?

5: When Pam Cundell visited us in June, she said she was rejected for an audition at which legendary theatre?

6: Who portrayed Mrs. Fox in DADS ARMY?

7: Who portrayed Mrs. Jones in DADS ARMY?

8: Anita Dobson played who, in EASTENDERS?

9: Which actor, in the television version, has replaced David Tennant as Doctor Who?

10: What was Hemel Hempstead Movie Makers title before it was changed?

11: What have Walt Disney's Donald Duck and Charlie Chaplin have in common?

12: Who was the leading lady opposite Bob Hope in THE PALEFACE and SON OF PALEFACE ?

13: Who sang the title song for the film THE GIRL CAN'T HELP IT ?

14: Who portrayed the girl?

15: In GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES, who was the blonde?

16: What is said to have been the first film in Cinemascope?

17: Who portrays Ebeneezer Scrooge in the new Disney film A CHRISTMAS CAROL ?

18: INVICTUS: Who portrays Nelson Mandela?

19: Who starred in SONS OF THE DESERT?

20: What has the two Bing Crosby films HOLIDAY INN and WHITE CHRISTMAS have in common?

A MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY, AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! FROM ALAN FRENCH
(Answers at the very bottom of this page)

WHEN IS A JUDGE RIGHT?
WHEN IS A JUDGE WRONG?

Ah! That is the question. There has got to be some form of order, and at competition times, there must be someone who is responsible for making a judgement regarding what is right or wrong, and even which production has won. But the interesting thing is, we are all individuals who have our own opinions. Great, if things are going your way, but not so great, if they are not.

Evidence of this is, if more than one judge is involved, and that they disagree. Who can say who is right or wrong?

I can well recall going down to Hornchurch in Essex. We had a super 8 film about a tramp who dies, and when he arrives in an after-world, finds that he has won a prize and is sent back to earth to start afresh. The judge's comments were on the lines that he liked the film. His son liked the film. The judge then pondered and wondered if they have computers in Heaven? Then he went on to the next film. This I do know annoyed Brian, who after, in the car park felt that he had come all this way to hear a query as to whether they had computers in Heaven? He was unhappy that there was no constructive criticism that could be learned from the judge.

However, sometimes a judge can give very useful advice. I can remember, at an IAC Triangle competition, a judge gave the advice, should you not be in a position to carry a tri-pod or a mono-pod. He simply produced a piece of string from his pocket. Then he tied one end to the bottom of a cine camera. Then trod firmly on the free end. Whilst doing this, he raised the camera to eye level, ensuring the string was taught. Amazingly, although not as good as a tri-pod, it was a very good substitute. We were impressed.

There have been some incidents, where some people have felt that judges have gone too far. Some of these incidents have been recalled elsewhere. But in cases like this, should we sit and listen in stoic silence? Or should we display our disgust? I am normally placid, but there was one incidence, where I was not. It was not a case where I felt I was getting constructive criticism, it was a case where I was not convinced that the judges knew what they were talking about, and I was an inferior form of human being. I felt that I was being spoken down to. I, sooner or later, disagreed. And amongst other things said that I felt that instead of encouraging me to make films, they had discouraged me. I did get an apology, and therefore shall not convey more detail.

The only other time I have come close to this, was at a HACCA competition being held at Potters Bar. When most people in the audience whistled down in between their teeth, and voicing, "No! No!" to a judge over his comments.

On rare occasions I have found myself a judge. It is not easy. If I find that I must point out something, I have tried not to be insulting. If a method could have been used to improve the film, I spoke to the film maker as a fellow human being. After all, if someone has spent time and money as a film maker, they want not only praise, but if criticism is required, then surely it must be constructive and in a friendly advisory capacity.

I find that judges vary. But one thing that does bug me is when you notice that a certain degree of comments are made based on written notes. In some cases it may be OK if the judges make some quick word or two, even not looking at their writing. But when they write a lot while the film is playing and miss some of the pictures, then there is a danger that something important may be lost. That something could make a difference to the position of a production in competition.

I shall now practise keeping a stoic silence as I see, at the time of writing, HACCA and the IAC Triangle are coming shortly. But on the other hand..?

Copyright Alan French 2009.

Useless information:- Are you aware that critics slammed a particular stage show, and said it would not last. It has lasted and has even been a film. What was it? THE SOUND OF MUSIC.

One film critic highly condemned a film of yesteryear saying it was too frightening and horrific for children. The Film? Walt Disney's SLEEPING BEAUTY.

At a Holiday Film competition our club held, a particular film received some severe criticism. The maker was in a state of shock as it was the winning film!

Competition incidents have popped up in some of my other blogs.

Alan French

FORMER CODING MARVELMAN

This year World War 2 is seventy years old.
A few years ago I partook in an exercise on the BBC People's War.
 I was given a personal page...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/user/28/u1540928.shtml


HAPPINESS IS A FILM

Looking back at our club, I must ask myself, which film did I enjoy being involved in the most? Firstly, I am not sure how many productions I have somehow been connected with, but I think there are some that have definitely stood out more than others. As far as really enjoying the atmosphere on the set, the number one contenders have got to be;

THE BIDFORD AFFAIR

This film was shot on 16mm. I was involved in part of the production. Where I was involved, it was a pleasant experience. There was such a lovely atmosphere on the set. I was sorry to go home. It was shot in Hemel Hempstead and Sheraton. It received mixed revues from judges. But a joy to be in.

THE DACORUM CRUISEWAY

Three attempts were made to commence shooting under the guidance of Geoff Whitby. It was attempt three which was successful. It was an Easter Day, and the weather broke from the miserability which had prevented us from starting. The Grand Union Canal was a hive of people enjoying and relaxing within its domain. We were there with them, and were also enjoying the atmosphere. I am not sure how many sessions we had to do our filming on this super 8 production, but on one of them there was a complete surprise. We saw a white horse walking along the canal tow path. It was pulling a barge, as horses used to in days of yore, with harness and rope. Every so often, we would see the horse and the people with it, and the barge, further up the canal. At one point, I remember David Harrington was almost in trouble as he filmed this happening. The reason being, the vessel was a huge Thames barge and had just physically missed some moored boats and barges. Therefore certain individuals, associated with the moored boats, felt that this large barge was too big. Someone queried as to whether this was anything to do with David? David obviously stated that it was not. The only time I did not enjoy myself was when I slipped and rolled down the outer muddy slope of a reservoir, clinging to a cassette recorder.

WHAT HAPPENED IN EL-PASO?

This western film was submitted as THE DODGY HORSE. However, it has been changed. The atmosphere on the day we shot (if you pardon the expression) the production at Pix Farm, was a good one. Everyone was friendly, I think that I can safely put this on my list. I was sorry the session finished. I would not say that I have not enjoyed making anything else. But that is my current shortlist.

© Alan French 2009

ALIEN FRENCH STRIKES AGAIN!

Elsewhere, I have referred to a UFO (unidentified flying object) sighting. I would like to add more to that and fetch in the film media, a little fact, and even reference to this club.

Firstly, the one that was witnessed by me and partly by another member is not the first strange thing I have seen in the sky. The first time I saw an unidentified flying object was with a friend, John Blackman, in 1956. There was something on just after school. We were going home to have our tea. It was whilst walking down a lengthy driveway from Bennetts End Secondary Modern School, (now part of Longdean), leading into Hill Common. We suddenly saw a strange glowing orange ball in the sky. It seemed to be on fire or whatever. It was hovering over near the Great Elms Road area. We got a closer look at it shortly afterwards.
About a year or two or after I was walking my dog, Flash, in Belswains Lane. For some nights running, I saw a distant green light flying across the sky. Satellites were in their early days. I am suspicious that it was one. I read a newspaper report some years later that a satellite had crashed into the sea. It gave off a green flash of light. So that is why I think that the second UFO, was one of these. But the first one? Your guess is as good as mine. It was just plain weird.

However, in the world of reality when they lose their UFO status and become IFO's (identified flying object), they turn out in most cases to be disappointing. Most UFO's are found to be weather balloons for example. Some still remain a mystery.

But, in the world of science fiction fantasy, when UFO's become IFO's, they usually turn out to be alien spacecraft.

It is in the sci-fi scene that the IFO's can contain friendly aliens or unfriendly aliens etc. From the motion picture perspective, there have been some interesting and exciting films. e.g. EARTH Vs FLYING SAUCERS, THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, THIS ISLAND EARTH, etc. The early films that I saw in this vein were  Hollywood's INVADERS FROM MARS and the British DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS.

QUATERMASS 2: The second 1950's story dealing with Professor Bernard Quatermass, who was created by Nigel Kneale. In this drama both the television original and the Hammer Film cinema version introduce us to not high tech alien space crafts, but something very different. Alien containers at first thought to be meteorites! Hollow inside with a small living shapeless substance in each one. If you got too close to look, something would quickly come out of the "meteorite" which opened up, and the small substance would enter you. Thus leaving a mark and you under alien control. For further reference please refer to my 2008 contributions, plus a Quatermass 2 locations forum on www.britmovie.co.uk and an article with photographs on quatermass2.webeden.co.uk

QUATERMASS AND THE PIT: The third adventure with Professor Bernard Quatermass. Something strange is found during an archaeological dig. Further uncovering reveals what Quatermass and his friend Matthew Roney believe is an alien space craft. How they know it came from Mars is not made clear. But Colonel Breen believes it is an unexploded rocket or bomb from World War II. This, despite evidence that it landed on earth four million years ago, and there are three dead preserved alien creatures in one of its segments. How the craft worked is quite ingenious. Unfortunately, strange forces are unleashed, with disastrous consequences. There is also an excellent moral to the tale during the final scene, prior to the credits.
WHIRLIGIG: Above all programmes! Described as a magazine programme for children and screened in the early 1950's. One of its items would be a serial. One of these serials was about a man from Mars. He crash landed on earth in a sky boat. He befriended an earth boy who called him Bill. This was because there was difficulty in pronouncing the Martian's real name.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND: A cinema production with a mind blowing climax by Stephen Spielberg. The main alien spacecraft/mother ship is breath taking and spectacular. It must be watched properly on the big screen. There was at a later date, a special edition issued.

WAR OF THE WORLDS: When originally written by H. G. Wells, circa 1898, Queen Victoria was upon the throne. This remarkable tale tells of a Martian invasion. The Martian spacecrafts land in Kent. They leave a crater. Eventually, the Martians emerge. They are similar in appearance to that of an octopus. But have ten legs. They are bulky. Eventually their war machines are constructed and are revealed as deadly contraptions that travel on three legs. Within the metal war machines, the Martians are in control. Not only do these tri-pod devices travel on land, but they produce fiery death rays. The British army fights them on horseback with their most dangerous weapon the cannon. Many versions of this story have been made for cinema, radio and even a stage musical. One radio version as many of us know was updated and broadcast in the United States during 1938. Orson Welles starred. Unfortunately, the story was updated and re-located to the USA. It received an adaption that gave to some people the impression that it was actually happening. This resulted in many people believing that the Martians had landed, which led to panic. Many screen versions have also adapted the story to the USA with updates. One of these must have featured the biggest alien spacecrafts featured in a film. This was INDEPENDENCE DAY.

UFO: A British television series made by Gerry Anderson. He started out making marionette films and had success i.e. THUNDERBIRDS, FIREBALL XL5, STINGRAY, etc. However, he did drop the idea of puppets and went in for real people. The sets, hairstyles and clothes may have looked squeaky clean, and UFO became very popular on commercial television.

THE DALEKS: In some ways their similarities are comparable to H.G. Wells' Martians. But these have not got tri-pod legs. There is also some other similarities between them. They are repulsive creatures who are in pepper pot style containers which move not on wheels. They also are able to produce death rays. In their first story, we learn that there is a planet which had eons ago, experienced nuclear war. Society had developed two intelligent species. The Thals who were peaceful and the aggressive Daleks who lived in a city of which they were frightened to leave. In some ways this can be compared to the peaceful Eloi and the aggressive personality of the Moorlocks, who appear in H.G. Wells' THE TIME MACHINE. Originally The Daleks made their debut in series one, story two, of DOCTOR WHO. The Daleks depicted were killed off. But other sets of Daleks have popped up since. They have gradually progressed in their ability and skills. They even eventually, over the years, have been able to fly up staircases. They can now fly in the air? Oh Calamity! With the 21st Century seeing the long awaited overdue return of DOCTOR WHO, there was talk that the Daleks would not be seen ever again. Apparently, their creator, the late Terry Nation, had had a disagreement with the BBC. There was a question mark as to what the argument was about. But Terry Nation said that he did not want the Daleks to appear ever again on the BBC. However, negotiations between the BBC and Terry Nation's estate took place to resolve the issue.

THE TARDIS: My favourite alien space craft. Worthy of Heath Robinson, George Melies, Jules Verne, H.G. Wells and Edward Lear. In the very first episode of DOCTOR WHO, we learn that the name was dreamed up by The Doctor's granddaughter. It stands for Time And Relative Dimensions In Space. We also learn that The Doctor and his granddaughter were wanderers in the fourth dimension, and were cut off from their own planet. They had materialised in 1963 London. The Tardis did not appear to be in perfect order. It seemed you started it off, but where it went was anybody's guess. This malfunction has gone. Although it still occurs every once in a while. One malfunction that is still featured is that The Tardis is supposed to change appearance and blend into the respective surrounding area. One attempt by The Doctor tried to rectify the matter, but it still seemed to like being a British police box. The inside is still marvelled at by newcomers, as it is bigger inside than it is outside. It can materialise anywhere in space and time. It has been suggested that it is alive. But in one recent episode, it was quickly said that a Tardis is not manufactured, but grows. We, have on occasions seen other Tardis' in action. But what we did not know until 1969, that The Doctor was a Time Lord and disatisfied, went off in a Tardis to do his thing. However, it is now officially his.
In the cinema version, made by Hammer Films, there is no reference to the fact that The Doctor is an alien. One gets the impression that he built the Tardis in his shed. In one story from the television series, Dr Who meets H.G. Wells. This fictitious encounter suggests that Wells got the idea for his story THE TIME MACHINE, from The Doctor's Tardis. The BBC broadcast a 60 minute play of THE TIME MACHINE on January 25th 1949 and a revised production, with a partly re-written script a few weeks later on February 21st. The earliest known sci-fi play televised that I am aware of by the BBC is RUR. Written in 1921 by Karl Capeck. It was broadcast from Alexandra Palace February 11th 1938.

HACCA WACCA: I have referred to a sci-fi drama made on film by the Company of Ten, when they were members of HACCA, in another blog. It was about a flying saucer landing on earth.
UFO's ARE NOT RECENT: Many people say that UFO sightings were seen originally in the 1940's. This is not true. The term UFO may have been created in the 20th Century. But they have been seen for hundreds of years. For example, the mass sighting seen over the city of Basel in Switzerland in 1566.

VRIL MACHINES: During an episode of HANCOCK'S HALF HOUR, which was influenced by QUATERMASS AND THE PIT. Hancock thought he had discovered a Martian spaceship instead of a bomb in his back garden. Despite the fact that it was small and had a swastika upon it, he thought it was a spaceship with a Martian hieroglyphic. Oddly enough, he could have been a hairs breadth away from being close to the truth. Some early flying saucer sightings during World War ll could have been Vril Machines. These were believed to be secret aircraft, developed by a group of Nazi's who went to New Maudland in the Antarctic. The Vril machines would have given the impression of a circular or saucer shaped flying craft. In recent years officialdom has stated that many UFO sightings were secret aircraft. And that a lot of disinformation was put out. That may well be the case, but what of the many pre 20th Century reports? Your guess is as good as mine. As Mr Spock would say, "Illogical!"

THE ROSWELL INCIDENT: Again your guess is as good as mine. But if the popular belief is true, an alien aircraft crashed in the USA during 1947. There had been some film taken of an operation or autopsy upon an injured or dead alien. Recent reports have declared that this was faked. This would not surprise me. But as they say in THE 'X' FILES, "The truth is out there."

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD MOVIE MAKERS: Just think, there we were taking pictures outside. Then we went inside. Then we pack up our equipment. Then we leave. Then a UFO in the form of an oblong of lights is seen. How frustrating! Just think. If the UFO turned out to be an alien space craft, and the aliens proved friendly, we could have signed them up for a science fiction drama!
Alan French 2009

Useless Information:-

Kenneth Seeger of Finchley Cine Society, who has narrated at least two of our documentaries, at one time was a jobbing actor. He appeared in the television version of QUATERMASS AND THE PIT as Dr. Klein and has acted as a cyberman in TOMB OF THE CYBER MEN with Patrick Troughton as Doctor Who.

Richard Wordsworth held a private showing for his friends, of the Hammer cinema version of THE QUATERMASS EXPERIMENT in which he appeared. The projectionist was our Alan Willmot.

Former member Tony Rogers, visited and witnessed the location, part of Hemel Hempstead, for QUATERMASS 2.

William Russell acted as one of Doctor Who's assistants in an early episodes. He lived in Hemel Hempstead.

I once passed Jon Pertwee coming out of a shop in Birmingham.

I have never been abducted by aliens (there’s still time, Webmaster).

The previous season saw an emphasis in encouraging new productions, irrespective be they club or private. Certainly drama. Although there may be a documentary in this trend. I am looking forward to seeing the results of these productions.

However, years ago, both professional and amateur, productions were on different film gauges. Then came more technical methods with the video, be it on disc or tape. Now this has been enhanced by digital. And of course instead of cutting and splicing the film together, we now use our friend or enemy, the computer. We still use the term film, perhaps a force of habit? But but irrespective of the terminology used, technology is getting more sophisticated. Will, as at one meeting it was stated by Peter Gray, the disc will become holographic? Discs have now become hugely progressive since John Logie Baird, or anyone else, used them, during the early experiments in television, of the late 1920's and early 1930's. Examples Phonotone and Silvatone discs.

But what of today? W. H. Smith are already selling cheap movie cameras, that do not use tape or disc. The image is captured on either USB sticks or STD cards. Mobile telephones can now capture moving images. Some of the shots of the 7/7 London bombings broadcast on television news programmes, were from these 'phones.

I think it should be interesting to see what future season, our club will premier productions made on USB, STD and mobile telephones. It may not be that far away. Again the fear of obsolescence creeps in.

And of course, should it become common place to combine all motion picture making equipment with television broadcasting, will people remember to pay their licence fee? Or will they pack in making films because of this fee? Will there be a licence fee? Will it be abolished? If it is, I doubt that it will be during our 2009 - 2010 season.

But it should be interesting during a drama being made, can you imagine it?

Actor: To be or not to be? That is the question. Whether it is no..

Mobile camera 'phone: Ring! Ring!.

Actor: Oh! Will nothing rid me of this pestilence? Just one moment.

Mobile camera 'phone: Sorry to bother you, but have you considered having a new kitchen?

Whether this will happen or not, I am confident that Hemel Hempstead Movie Makers will continue with the methods of the day and continue to make good movies.

Useless or Not Useless Information; Are you aware that new technology is adapting an old idea? It is now possible to buy a digital camera which is also a digital projector. Nikon are the first, and other companies will follow.