American Cinematographer

May 1933

fast, economical production introduced in a long time.
While its primary purpose is, of course, facilitating the
making of travelling shots, it has proved equally valuable
as a means of saving time and effort in changing camera
set-ups. The new device combines the functions of crane,
perambulator and tripod, as it allows the camera to be
placed instantly in any position from 26 inches above the
floor up to 6 feet 6 inches high; moreover, in any of these
positions the device is sufficiently rigid to obviate any
necessity for a conventional tripod.
In appearance, this new device, which is the design of
Grover Lahbe, comprises a low chassis of cast aluminum,
surmounted by a six-foot crane arm, also of cast duralumin,
and running on four small wheels with solid-rubber tires.
The camera is mounted on a standard blimp-type friction
pan-and-tilt head placed at the end of this arm; this head
is maintained in equilibrium by a pivot-mounting and a
radius-rod of conventional design. The crane-arm is raised
or lowered by two short arms pivoted to it approximately
two feet from the fulcrum, with their lower ends threaded
and fitted on to a pair of worm-gears which lie horizontally
along the low chassis. These two screws are in the pres¬
ent, experimental model, operated by a hand-wheel placed
low at the right-hand side of the device; but in the sev¬
eral production-models now under construction, they will
be driven by a silent electric motor.
The hoist-arm is
counterbalanced by two powerful helical springs mounted
in the chassis, so that little effort is required to raise or
lower the camera, while the crane is, in any position, per¬
fectly stable.
As will be seen from the illustrations, a removable seat
is provided on the crane-arm for the use of the operative
cinematographer when the crane is in the lower and medial
positions, while removable running-boards can be attached
to the sides of the chassis for making travelling-shots with
the camera at higher elevations.
The device is intended to furnish horizontal and vertical
movement, while the tilthead produced any necessary pan¬
oramic or tilting motion.
In addition, the rear wheels are
so designed that they can be turned parallel to each other,
enabling the device to be rotated about the front wheels,
thus revolving the camera about its own axis. The tongue
by which the carriage is pushed or pulled is fixed to the
steering-handle, and can be removed when not in use.
In the production models, tie-off feet will be provided, so
that the device can be rigidly braced when it is used in
place of a conventional tripod.

The new Fox Film Company camera car¬
riage.
At top, used 26 inches from the
ground.
At bottom, used at a height of
six feet, six inches.

New

The remarkably small size and weight of the device are
important factors in its utility.
It is remarkably compact,
being but thirty inches wide and five feet five inches long.
As has already been said, it gives a range of camera-heights
(lens-center measurements) of from 26 inches to six feet
six inches.
Being made entirely of duralumin, it is ex¬
ceptionally light, weighing but three hundred pounds; less
than half the weight of comparable devices of earlier design.

Camera-Carriage
Saves Time
by
John F. Seitz, A.S.C.

HE new mobile camera-carriage recently developed by
the engineering department of the Fox Film Corpora¬
tion, and now in use at the Fox Hollywood and Westwood studios, promises to prove one of the greatest aids to

In actual practice, it is extremely difficult to say whether
the device's greatest utility lies in its application to travel¬
ling shots, or to its convenience as a substitute for ordinary
tripods.
In the former use, it meets the demands of
practically all types of scenes ordinarily encountered, with
a few rare exceptions which demand the use of a larger
crane.
In addition, it is compact enough to be used freely
on even very small sets. Due to the narrow width, it will
easily pass through any door.
The action is smooth and
easily controllable, while by virtue of its light weight it
does not demand excessive additions to the stage-crew.
When used as a substitute for conventional tripods, the
Continued on Page 35

American Cinematographer - May 1933

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Cinematographer - May 1933

American Cinematographer - May 1933 - 7

American Cinematographer - May 1933

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Cinematographer - May 1933