News on Screen

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 6th Year

Issue

Issue No.

1

Date Released

Sep 1952

Stories in this Issue:

• 1. FIRST CUT
• 2. FREE WEEK
• 3. CLUB MEETING
• 4. ON SET

Story

Story No. within this Issue

4 / 4

Summary

NoS Summary - Filming "The Brave Don’t Cry" at Southall Studios.
BFI synopsis: Includes scenes from the film; consultant Bill Withes with art director Michael Stringer; how to make coal from plaster and canvas; the director Philip Leacock with the continuity girl Tilly Day; comments from actor John Gregson.
NCB Commentary - That was a scene from the new British film The Brave Don’t Cry, with a mining disaster as its theme.
And here’s the man whose job it is to see that all the details are right, retired Inspector of Mines Bill Withers, from Scotland. He’s come to talk over plans with designer Michael Stringer. Every set in the film is modelled in miniature before shooting. What looks OK to the maked eye may not be all the same seen through the camera.
Want to know how to make you own coal? Here’s how it’s done - in the plasterer’s ship. Over a plastic mould you lay plaster and canvas, layer upon layer. When it’s dry, you peel it off - and see the results for youself.
These sets are complete in every detail, down to the fungus on the timber, but it’s not until they’re seen through the camera that they’ll really come to life. Michael Stringer made scored of paintings underground like this one to guide the studio carpenters and prop men.
Back on the working set, Bill Withers checks the next set up with director Phil Leacock and continuity girl Tilly Day. In a minute the cameras will be rolling again on another scene, but here’s John Gregson, star of The Brave Don’t Cry, with a word for Mining Review.

Researcher Comments

BFI sources suggest that this story was filmed from the 18th to the 19th February 1952. Commentary recorded 1 August 1952.

Keywords

Arts and crafts; Mining; Cinema; Accidents and disasters; Performing arts

Locations

London; England

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases   Used for Synopsis
Viewing Copy - bfi screenonline
National Film Archive Catalogue
Film User   Vol.8 No.87 January 1954, p32.
The National Archives COAL 32   /3 Scripts for Mining Review, 1949-1956
BFI Screenonline synopsis   ID No.955780

Credits:

Director

Basil Somner

Production Co.

Documentary Technicians Alliance

Camera

John Gunn

Sponsor

National Coal Board

Support services

Stanley Goulder

Camera

Wolfgang Suschitzky