After the war government financial cuts limited the production of the more prestigious ( & costly ) documentary films. Hence I found myself working on some rather unusual projects, one of which was a film about Lourdes, directed by Guy Brenton. He would make all the official arrangements & meet me in Dunkirk ( he said ) except that he didn't - make any arrangements. These included permission to make a commercial film, import film stock, the van, equipment etc. plus a host of government & film union restrictions, all of which were ignored. I drove from London & across by ferry to Dunkirk. I presented myself to the French customs, who appeared to be expecting me & was duly arrested. Sat for hours in a goods yard, late at night, thunder & lightning, gendarme ( complete with pistol ) standing guard. Very dramatic !
Eventually allowed to proceed to Paris but placed under ' open arrest ' prior to our trial. This would have been incredibly funny had I not been the major offender of the two accused. Hence, two days later, in the courtroom ;
Interrogator; " What was the purpose of your film ? "
GB; " To make a record of our holiday " - Oh dear, GB is desperately clutching at straws, a totally ludicrous excuse.
Int. " What size film were you using, 8mm./ 9.5mm ? "
GB. " It was larger than that"
Int. " You mean 16 mm.? " Some indistinct muttering from GB, then Int. turning to me; " What size film have you brought with you ?"
Me. " 35mm. "
Int. " But that's for showing in the cinema ! How muich film did you bring with you ? The interrogator sounding cross.
Me. Realising, oh well, here goes, " Thirtysix thousand feet " ( uproar, a mixture of groans, whistles & hysterical laughter ). He even made me repeat it, further laughter.
Int. " You are expecting this court to believe all this was for a little film of your holiday ? You will remain under arrest whilst we investigate further. "
Ultimately, the British Embassy intervened & we were able to continue our journey to Lourdes.
Eventually allowed to proceed to Paris but placed under ' open arrest ' prior to our trial. This would have been incredibly funny had I not been the major offender of the two accused. Hence, two days later, in the courtroom ;
Interrogator; " What was the purpose of your film ? "
GB; " To make a record of our holiday " - Oh dear, GB is desperately clutching at straws, a totally ludicrous excuse.
Int. " What size film were you using, 8mm./ 9.5mm ? "
GB. " It was larger than that"
Int. " You mean 16 mm.? " Some indistinct muttering from GB, then Int. turning to me; " What size film have you brought with you ?"
Me. " 35mm. "
Int. " But that's for showing in the cinema ! How muich film did you bring with you ? The interrogator sounding cross.
Me. Realising, oh well, here goes, " Thirtysix thousand feet " ( uproar, a mixture of groans, whistles & hysterical laughter ). He even made me repeat it, further laughter.
Int. " You are expecting this court to believe all this was for a little film of your holiday ? You will remain under arrest whilst we investigate further. "
Ultimately, the British Embassy intervened & we were able to continue our journey to Lourdes.
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