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Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 4:33 pm
by mitchellbnc
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

Re: Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 1:44 pm
by mitchellbnc
Another shot of Debbie's fabulous VistaVision camera from the Profile in History auction catalog.

Re: Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:18 pm
by mitchellbnc
For more information on the Mitchell VistaVision camera, please check out the Widescreen Museum web page at:
http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/widescreen/wingvv2.htm

A great FRONT and BACK comparison photo of the "elephant ear" camera from their web site.

Note: Mitchell VistaVision #29 sold on 5/17/2014 for $130,000. Final bid confirmed at the Profile in History web site, price realized details page.

Theodore Wilhelm
MitchellCamera.com administrator

Re: Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2014 5:48 pm
by mitchellbnc
OK so this isn't VistaVision #29 but still great hero shots from the icollector web site. I just can't get enough of this fantastically designed but odd looking machine!

Re: Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2014 12:22 pm
by yoyo29_monica
IMHO, this is the best thread at this site! This beauty resides in New York at the Museum of the Moving Image. Go see it when you are in the Big Apple!

Monica of Tarzana

Re: Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 8:56 pm
by marop
The VistaVision that is at the museum of moving image has a lot of history. It first went to Egypt with DeMille to film the Ten Commandments, and toward the end of its life was used by ILM. The other VV pictured on the short metal base, or hi-hat, is also significant, but I can't remember the number, I am thinking no. 3? If that is correct it also went to Egypt! Lots of great great history here!

Mark

Re: Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:27 pm
by Stein8perf
I was offered this very camera by Martin Hill around 1995 for 18k. I didn't purchase it at the time because I was looking for a smaller-lighter 8 perf camera and settled on a Stein that had 3 reg pins. I have detailed photos of this camera that I took when it was at Martin's place. I can post them if anyone here wants to see them

Mark

Re: Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 11:53 am
by admin
Hello Mark. What a small world regarding this being the same camera. We would love to see detailed pictures! Please post as many as you can or alternately, I could devote an entire "Photo Tour" page on our web site with a credit to you. In that scenario, I would love to see 50 or so photos and I could send you a link where you could upload them all at once. This is one of my most favorite Mitchells.

Regards,
Theodore
Site admin

Re: Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2017 1:43 pm
by Stein8perf
Sorry about the delay posting these. I had completely forgotten about doing this. Better late than never I guess.

Re: Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2017 1:44 pm
by Stein8perf
Back of #29