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From Kev Franzi’s Journeys in Time –

The Saga of 16mm — Part 3

1939 to Posterity

By the end of 1939 Europe is again engaged in total war and the photographers and
filmmakers will again play a vital role in recording its history and providing information
and training for the millions of people for their new role in Britain’s fight for survival.
The manufacture of 16mm equipment would require a high priority.

The USA would remain largely remote from the
conflict until the Japanese attack on Pearl
th
Harbour on December the 7 1941.
This brought their involvement into
the conflict on a world wide scale
both as an ally of Britain in
Europe and the war in the Pacific
to the west. The US
Government’s aim to record the
history of every aspect of this
huge commitment would require the
urgent training of thousands of
Combat Cameramen. Add to this the
training of a vast multitude of civilians
for their new wartime roles would suggest
that the Kodak factories and every other
industry associated with 16 mm and 35 mm film would be very busy indeed.
Above: Typical of cameras “Called-up” for War Duties, this Victor exhibits original Serial Number
on the name plate and it’s Wartime Number on the body plate. I wonder what adventures it had.

Both 16mm and 35mm cameras were in very short supply, so the American people were
asked to donate their movie cameras to the war effort with a promise that the
Government would replace them after the war – and that’s what
happened. Thousands of 16mm movie cameras “Joined-up” to fight in
the war – their role would be vital.

This magazine loading B&H is typical of the many
donated by the American people that were vital for
filming the high altitude scenes in The Memphis
Belle. This was in spite of their small 50 foot
capacity (1 minute 20 seconds) the cameras could
be quickly reloaded with gloves on -- saving the
loss of fingers.

6 REEL DEALS September 2023