Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 4:33 pm
The Debbie Reynolds auction was a once in a life time event to collect the most rare of the rare in Mitchell equipment history. (among many other things she collected). This VistaVision camera was a beauty. The text and photo below are from the Debbie Reynolds "Profiles In History" auction catalog. Click the photo to enlarge.
VistaVision Motion Picture Camera #29 used in Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief, Disney’s Mary Poppins and Lucas’ Star Wars. (ca. 1950s) Historic VistaVision Camera #29 on dolly. The camera was originally purchased from Mitchell camera by Paramount Pictures. It was used on numerous projects including several Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis films including Artists and Models. It continued to be used by Paramount for Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch A Thief, Fred Astaire’s Funny Face as well as Lil Abner, and Spartacus before it was rented and then sold to Walt Disney Studios as a special effects camera. The camera was then used by Peter Ellenshaw to photograph background plates for Mary Poppins, Pete’s Dragon, Bedknobs and Broomsticks and the original Tron. George Lucas borrowed the camera from Disney to photograph special effects on his Star Wars series of films.
The camera returned to Paramount Pictures in the late 1980’s where it was used by Roy H. Wagner ASC, Director of Photography on numerous occasions as a special effects camera principally on the skydiving film Drop Zone. This VistaVision #29 camera shot the very last film shot in VistaVision: Debbie Reynolds’ My Six Loves (1963). Camera features Baltar 100mm lens by Bausch and Lomb, Rare Mitchell off-set geared head with riser. Fully functional camera movement, matte box and Mitchell viewfinder. Consisting of 8 pieces. Outer metal casing is 27 x 25 x 15.75. Includes lens cover and (6) carrying cases ranging in size from 12.75 x 8.75 x 7.25 in. to 27.25 x 16.5 x 25.5 in. Accompanied by a stomp-up “sputnik” dolly. Special shipping arrangements will apply. Comes with a letter of provenance from Roy H. Wagner, ASC. $60,000 - $80,000
VistaVision Motion Picture Camera #29 used in Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief, Disney’s Mary Poppins and Lucas’ Star Wars. (ca. 1950s) Historic VistaVision Camera #29 on dolly. The camera was originally purchased from Mitchell camera by Paramount Pictures. It was used on numerous projects including several Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis films including Artists and Models. It continued to be used by Paramount for Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch A Thief, Fred Astaire’s Funny Face as well as Lil Abner, and Spartacus before it was rented and then sold to Walt Disney Studios as a special effects camera. The camera was then used by Peter Ellenshaw to photograph background plates for Mary Poppins, Pete’s Dragon, Bedknobs and Broomsticks and the original Tron. George Lucas borrowed the camera from Disney to photograph special effects on his Star Wars series of films.
The camera returned to Paramount Pictures in the late 1980’s where it was used by Roy H. Wagner ASC, Director of Photography on numerous occasions as a special effects camera principally on the skydiving film Drop Zone. This VistaVision #29 camera shot the very last film shot in VistaVision: Debbie Reynolds’ My Six Loves (1963). Camera features Baltar 100mm lens by Bausch and Lomb, Rare Mitchell off-set geared head with riser. Fully functional camera movement, matte box and Mitchell viewfinder. Consisting of 8 pieces. Outer metal casing is 27 x 25 x 15.75. Includes lens cover and (6) carrying cases ranging in size from 12.75 x 8.75 x 7.25 in. to 27.25 x 16.5 x 25.5 in. Accompanied by a stomp-up “sputnik” dolly. Special shipping arrangements will apply. Comes with a letter of provenance from Roy H. Wagner, ASC. $60,000 - $80,000