At the start of World War II, the United States Army bought Paramount's motion picture studio at 35th Avenue and 35th Street in Astoria, Long Island City, Queens, New York, taking over in February 1942.  The studio became the Signal Corps Photographic Center, later Army Pictorial Center, home to filmmakers and still photographers who covered the war and who produced countless training films.  This is the story of the people who served there.


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A daughter's memories of her dad at APC.

Photos provided by Adrienne Shane Esposito include this picture of her dad, Master Sergeant Theodore F. Shane, behind the camera at APC in the early 1960s.

 

Signal Corps Mobile Television Unit

In the early 1950s, Signal Corps Pictorial Center was home to a mobile television unit evaluating and demonstrating the potential use of this developing technology.  Dick Robinson and Edward Boykin supply details and photographs.

Film industry in WWII:

Producer needs film, stills;

Personal collections sought

A French film company writes,

"We are currently in development of a documentary film about Hollywood Film industry during WWII.

"We are more precisely in search of photos and film footage concerning the involvement of Hollywood (directors, movie stars,...) in the war, directly (being enlisted, or in charge of filming battles, or directing training films) or undirectly (filmed during showes held for troops,...).

"We are very aware of Library of Congress and Nara's (National Archives and Records Administration) collection concerning this subject, but are looking also for more private or personal collections, which could help us find some more unreleased or badly known material.

"More specifically, we are looking forward to locate photos and/or footage of the following persons, during their involvement into Army Pictorial Center : John Ford, Sterling Hayden, George Stevens, Owen Crump, William Wyler, Darryl Zanuck, Franck Capra, Jack Warner,..."

If you know of collectors who may help, please forward a link to this site to them.  If you have any materials or information -- or would like contact information for this French film company, please write to the Webmaster.


 

Yesterday's Headlines

Headlines, stories and photos that previously appeared on this home page may have moved to Yesterday's Headlines, where you can still find helpful links.

Commander's secretary

 Sgt. Bilko

Main Stage

Television

 

 

 

 


APC / SCPC

 

Help!

Yes, we still need your help to answer the questions about SCPC/APC and films made there. 

Did Glenn Miller bring his famous Army Air Force band to the Astoria stages?  We'd like to know!

Film producer Christine Fitzpatrick needs footage for Korea War Battle of Ch'ongch'on River and Battle of Chipyong-ni, and also the Vietnam War Battle of Ap Bac (1963).

 

What was that artillery film made in Ft. Hood about 1965?  James (Jim) Strizich, of the Artillery, 2nd Armor Division, appeared as a lieutenant.

Is that Truman Bradley showing us how to select and pack an animal in 1943 training films?

A WWII re-enactor seeks information about Signal Corps Field Caption Cards.

"It is quite rare and information is scarce."  Someone has acquired a WWII Oneida Photographic Lab Trailer and is seeking information, manuals, or photos.

It isn't an SCPC connection, but an Army photograph led Lisa R. Gerardi  here in her search for records made by her grandfather, PFC Bernie Rattet.

Who was Jerry, the editor on "Public Shelter Living: The Story of Shelter 104"?

Was Dorothy McManus the original Emmy, the model for television's top award?

Did anyone ever respond to the a question about the film, "Invasion of Poland," asks researcher Jeff Grehan.

See if you can answer any of the questions on the Help page.

Artifacts sought

Alumni of Signal Corps Photographic Center / Army Pictorial Center have been asked to donate artifacts to the collection at the Museum of the Moving Image.

Collection Curator Barbara Miller wrote, "We would be very interested in collecting 'artifacts' from former SCPC/APC staff. These would include cameras (not necessary that they be in working condition) and other technical equipment, photographs, scrapbooks, manuals, or any other objects used in the production or promotion of media created by the military. We have a fairly significant group of objects related to the APC in our collection, and are committed to preserving APC history through collecting and exhibiting this material. Please note we do not collect moving image media (i.e. film and video), only objects related to their production, promotion, and exhibition."

If you have artifacts you can offer to the museum, send a note to this site's Webmaster.

Visit the museum website at
http://www.movingimage.us/

 

 

 

Saturday, March 30, 2013 05:30:39 PM

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