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Help identify this Mystery Mitchell

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 3:43 pm
by Neil Lipes
Greetings to one and all! I am a former IATSE member who has been a life long student of Universal Pictures during the golden era of Laemmle ownership.

I have some very rare production shots of Universals first true talkie musical, 1929's Broadway, directed by Paul Fajos, and photographed by the great Hal Mohr. In one picture Mohr is shooting an insert of a Western Union Telegram, he is in back of the camera, which is no surprise, is a Mitchell device. But I am curious as to the specific model of camera this is. How can I determine this? Thanks in advance for your learned counsel, I am happy I discovered your wonderful site.

Re: The Great DP Hal Mohr!

Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 6:58 am
by Neil Lipes
Gentlemen,
After 89 people have viewed this, not one person can identify what model camera this is? Are there any old time DP's on this board? Too bad Bruce Surtees has passed away, I worked with him on the feature "Lenny" and I am quite sure he would know exactly which model Mitchell this is.

Funny side note, during lunch Dustin Hoffman asked Surtees what the BNC stood for on the side of the camera,
without missing a beat he said ... "balls no cock" ... we all went nuts:-) that was a great show to be a part of!!

Re: The Great DP Hal Mohr!

Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 4:01 pm
by Neil Lipes
Many thanks to a IATSE friend @ Local 600, the camera is as I suspected............a Mitchell NC........a true workhorse of the early industry.

Re: The Great DP Hal Mohr and help identify mystery Mitchell

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 9:22 am
by marop
Hello again, yes, this could not be an NC. As the other poster said they were not made until 1932, 1931 at the earliest. The peanut motor position is attached to the upper left corner, as with a Standard. I have seen Peanut Motors attached to the center in some production photos, which I can not explain, and it may be for an NC and a special adapter plate. If anyone knows, please share. Mark

Re: Help identify this Mystery Mitchell

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2015 4:12 pm
by Artist712
Hello I believe it's a Standard because the L plate has the Moveable Iris control knobs on the top , there are 3 knobs in the photo
also the speed control for the Dissolve . Top mid camera on the motor side, visible in the photo.
Great discussion and a great site
Artist712