Cameras in Movies: Part n+6 <i>High Anxiety</i> 1977 Mel Brooks

<p>One can argue about Brook’s movies and their relative places. <em>Young Frankenstein</em> is often considered his masterpiece, and other collaborations with Gene Wilder in various forms produced some marvelous treasures. <br /><br />However, Brooks’ humorous and reverential sendup of Hitchcock’s films in <em>High Anxiety</em>, 1977, is my personal favorite. The film actually played a role in a key personal transformation for me; but that, as they say, is another story.<br /><br />Who can forget the <em>Psycho</em> bellhop and the shower? The combination of <em>Birds</em> and <em>North by Northwest</em> in the park? Dr. Wentworth (Dick Van Patten) feeling trapped in a web (of shadows),<br />and so many others. <br /><br /><br />Very early on in the film, however, right after a dramatic flight and airport arrival for Dr. Richard Harpo Thorndyke (Brooks), he meets his “driver and sidekick” Brophy (“I got it, I ain’t got it” Ron Carey ) who is also a fanatic photographer. <br /><br /><br />After some investigations , I believe that Brophy’s camera of choice is a version of the Minolta X1 Motor (<a href="http://www.jwhubbers.nl/mug/xk.html">http://www.jwhubbers.nl/mug/xk.html</a> ). This was a sophisticated camera for a serious photographer like Brody, who also has access to a fairly nice darkroom.<br /><br /></p><div></div>

<p>In fact, when Dr. Thorndyke is framed for a murder, Brophy’s 35mm negative is enlarged to gargantuan dimensions. This is a key element in the film. Brophy's enlargement is not precisely up to the Kodak display in Grand Central Station, but pretty impressive anyhow:<br /><br /></p><div></div>

<p>Sharp enough? <br />I will grant that Brooks is also taking a swipe in passing at another classic film, Antonioni’s <em>Blowup</em>, 1966.<br /><br /><br>

I found this interesting, and that's all this time.</p>

<p>My favorite movie for camera's although older than modern , was "The Public Eye." See my post in 2005. <br>

http://www.photo.net/classic-cameras-forum/00Cnml</p>

 

<p>Michelangelo Antonioni's <em>Blow-Up </em>is my favourite photography-related film. It's also one of my favourite films, period.</p>

<p>I thought Mel Brooks' <em>High Anxiety </em>was only episodically interesting, though I guess that's the point. Since it's been almost 40 years since I've seen it, I really should give it another shot, particularly since I love Hitchcock.</p>

<p>Interesting thread, JDM. I usually notice cameras and lenses in movies as well as television programs. Good call on the camera as the only other motorized camera Minolta had was the SR-M which has an easy to recognize SR/SRT family resemblance. Thanks for posting. I look forward to more "camera in movies" sightings.</p>

<p>Most of the cameras in movies have been covered a few times already, but I ran across a new one just the other night. In <em>Howl</em>, a sort of documentary on Alan Ginsberg and his famous poem, he is seen a couple of times photographing his surroundings and friends with an Argus C-four. Probably historically correct. Ginsberg did take a lot of pictures over the years.</p>

<p>The auto racing masterpiece, <em>Lemans,</em> starring Steve McQueen was filmed in 1970 and released in 1971. Much of the film's footage was actually taken during the 1970 race. I believe it is fair to say that "the camera" in all its forms is one of the biggest extras, if not the biggest, in the entire film. Just about every scene in which the public is evident, multiple cameras are on display and in use. Even not-so-public scenes, such as when drivers are walking to their rest locations and being followed by press photographers (with press passes, obviously), are filled with camera wielding "pros." As the film progressed, it became increasingly obvious to me that the director and editorial staff were selecting key shots just because of the cameras in use or on display. These folks were having fun "taking pictures of people taking pictures." Really.</p>

<p>Being 1970, you see lots of Nikon Fs and Nikkormats and quite a few European cameras that are probably Prakticas or something similar. Hasselblads, at least one of each Bolex and B&H Filmo 16mm's and a huge "portable" video camera with backpack that must have required very fit cameramen just to lug it around. You can find the film in its entirety on YouTube. If you like to see the old camera gear in action and, better yet, seeing Porsche 917s and Ferrari 512s at full song, then you gotta watch this film (again).</p>

 

Sorry this is years after this post - but I was curious - to film the scene with the photo blowup (in High Anxiety) they must have created that giant sized blowup in real life, right? Anyone have any idea how to find out what happened to that photo? Like, if they saved it in a museum or stored it or something, or just destroyed it? I have no clue how to even find info about it. I've always had this dream of owning it LOL.

sethboy @ gmail dot com

 

<p>In fact, when Dr. Thorndyke is framed for a murder, Brophy’s 35mm negative is enlarged to gargantuan dimensions. This is a key element in the film. Brophy's enlargement is not precisely up to the Kodak display in Grand Central Station, but pretty impressive anyhow:<br /><br /></p><div>[ATTACH=full]806370[/ATTACH]</div>

I wish I knew, although my suspicion is that it was done by one of the traditional camera/set tricks rather than an actual enlargement.

A most interesting film regarding cameras is Ozu’s “Brothers and Sisters of the Toda Family.” (1941) To emphasize the family’s upper class status, the film opens with various family members noting that one of the brothers owns a Leica.

There is a prewar Hollywood film that supports the staring characters wealth by vacationing in Switzerland and using a Contax. Having a Biden moment and can’t remember title or actor. Only remember the Contax! An example of selective memory.

There was a Nick Nolte film in which Nolte played a wire service photographer in the Middle East set in the 70’s I think. He was shooting F2’s I believe but can never remember the name of the film. That I even remember the film is because I’m such a nut for the F2.

 

Rick H.

There was a Nick Nolte film in which Nolte played a wire service photographer in the Middle East set in the 70’s I think. He was shooting F2’s I believe but can never remember the name of the film. That I even remember the film is because I’m such a nut for the F2.

 

Rick H.

That is "Under Fire".

Wasn't Under Fire staged in South America? - I liked the mixed kit on Nolte with at peast one M body besides the Nikons