Dambusters film stills....

[Trev Clark]

Whilst installing an internet connection at a friend's house this morning, she asked if I was interested in seeing 'aircraft photos' she came across in a box of old photos.


What she showed me, will all be scanned and put up on the internet!!!


Her uncle was Erwin Hillier, the director of photography on the 1954 Dambusters film (as well as many other famous films).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erwin_Hillier
The photographs are wonderful 8x10 B/W production stills, about 20 odd of them. Here are the first 4 I have scanned and uploaded. I am not sure if they have ever been in the public domain before??

Sorry, they are bit BIG! Also look at the 'damage' on the trailing edge!







Anyone any ideas?

[Garry Russell]

HI Trev

Thanks for those


Unfortunately I can't see all the pics

Can you not get them down to 800X600????

Garry

[Trev Clark]

I put them at that size for 17in screens Gary, can you right click as save?

[DispatchDragon]

Trev

Wonderful stuff

a real find that!. The amazing thing is that except for the "trailing edge damage" they could so easily be passed off as real.


Thanks

Leif

[FlyTexas]

Fan-frickin-tastic!! What a treasure! Can't wait to see the rest of the photos. Thanks very much, Trev!

Brian

[PeteP]

I am not sure if they have ever been in the public domain before?? ... Anyone any ideas?

Excellent, Trev. I've not seen the first two before but the last two have been in various publications. Incidentally, I don't think they're public domain - the copyright is with Canal Plus these days, I think but I doubt anyone will complain about you showing them here!

Photo 1 - shows George Baker as Flt Lt D H Maltby with the "crew" of "AJ-J"
Photo 2 - the main characters are (with hands on hips) Basil Apleby as Flt Lt R C Hay (617's Bombing Leader), Bill Kerr as Flt Lt H B Martin, Basil Sydney as ACM Sir Arthur Harris, Michael Redgrave as Barnes Wallis and Ernest Clark as AVM the Hon. Ralph Cochrane.
Photo 3 - this one is frequently published and shows Richard Todd starting the Lancaster's engines under the supervision of one of the RAF pilots crouching out of sight on the cockpit floor.
Photo 4 - shows Bill Kerr as Flt Lt H B Martin and Tim Turner as his navigator Flt Lt J F Leggo.

Looking forward to seeing the rest.
Pete

[Tomliner]

Pete,in picture 4 is the guy behind Bill Kerr's right shoulder John Laurie?(private Fraser in Dad's Army).Theree seems to be a likeness.EricT

[PeteP]

Pete,in picture 4 is the guy behind Bill Kerr's right shoulder John Laurie?(private Fraser in Dad's Army).Theree seems to be a likeness.EricT

Yes I see the likeness, Eric, but John Laurie doesn't appear on any cast list I've ever seen for this film so it's unlikely.
Pete

[Trev Clark]

Pete,in picture 4 is the guy behind Bill Kerr's right shoulder John Laurie?(private Fraser in Dad's Army).Theree seems to be a likeness.

Not according to this list it isn't, he was quite well known then, so would have had a credit. One who went un-credited is the RAF guard on the door to the HQ, one Patrick McGoohan of 'The Prisoner' fame.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046889/fullcredits

I will post the rest as links to my hosting site, as I do not want to reduce such quality shots to fit small screens. Sorry for posting them here this size, I believe those with laptops cannot see them properly.

[AllanL]

The still of Richard Todd is all the more poignant today, how tragic that he lost his two sons.