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“No 25 - came home on luck.” “Fire in right engine did this” “Old Bill lost its nose and gunner”
print of The Memphis Belle, the that was living ... I was a cameraman on that
original documentary, that I considered the production .. . did five missions on “The
best film to come out of World War 2. Belle” ... Bill Wyler did a great job with
Mr Kalser leapt to his feet, almost demolishing that film ... Man that was real living! Not like
the table in the process, and turned to face me the stuff we do today ... And you have a print
... “You know about that! You know about the of it ... I wish I could see that.” I offered to
Memphis Belle?” “Yes, sir, I...” “My God. arrange a screening for him, but sadly there
was not time as he was returning to Sydney for
"And this is the a flight home the next day. (The Cambridge
ship they have
all been waiting Crew were left to finish shooting the two
for." films, based on very strict instructions and a
The Memphis stack of Polaroid pictures. The exposed stock
Belle returns was then dispatched to the US for processing.)
after 25 But I had one more question for him. “What
missions. sort of camera did you use to film The
Memphis Belle?”

"The last few “Well said KK, it was shot on 16 mm
miles have Kodachrome and blown up to 35 mm
been a joy-ride- Technicolor for release. I used mostly Bell
because and Howell Filmos, a Cine Special and a
now they know couple of magazine loading -Bells I think- for
they'll be the high altitude action stuff.” There
going home."
the conversation ended abruptly and we went
back to work.
Below: The crew receive their final orders - ‘return
to America to train the new crews and tell the
people what we're doing here.'
The King and
Queen of
England have
come to thank
the crew of 'The
Belle' for their
great effort.

REEL DEALS September 2021 7