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From - Kev Franzi's Motion Picture Scrapbook

The Mystery of the Wilart

I have always been fascinated by man's from simple beginnings to the amazing
amazing ability to create truly wonderful instruments we use today, as man after man
machines. I first became aware of that ability adds his creative contribution, building on the
at the age of 14 when I fell in love with an work of the inventor.
illustration of a Retina camera in the
Photography Section of Hobbies Illustrated. An interesting example of this evolution in
motion picture cameras is the Wilart (and a
I just had to have one of these beautiful little rather special Wilart at that).
machines that took photos on 35 mm. A year
later (1946) I achieved my goal and for £35 I first met this particular camera on a visit to
(mostly on loan from my Dad) I became the Ron West's Majestic Theatre at Pomona,
owner of a superb little pre-war Retina. And I Queensland, some 12 years ago. It was minus
could get an ample supply of Plus X "short a lens but apart from that it looked exactly like
ends" from the cameraman at work .... oh Joy! the 1905 Pathé camera-except that the film
magazines were round on the Wilart and square
Over the years I have developed an even on the Pathé.
deeper appreciation of man's creative genius-
in every field of endeavour. But in particular
I'm fascinated by the evolution of machines

4 REEL DEALS March 2021