|
This cave is leased by the MAKC. Pittsburgh Grotto's history with the cave goes way back, as evidenced from these photographs of an early videography effort in the cave and by the grotto's first attempts at gating the cave along with Challice Bruce, who had hopes of commercializing the cave. Here is the trip report from the Frank Mielcarek photo trip. For more on this cave visit the preserves section of the website.
Field Trip Log
November 1 and 2, 1958
Harlansburg Cave
Stu Wilson, Challis Bruce, Frank Mielcarek, Bob Dunn, Graham Ward, Viera Kulamer, Clarence Sandy, Wally Jones, Bill Jones, Harry Howard, Lou Hemlinger, Dave Shearer, George Howard, Chal Howard, Dale Acklin, Frank Schorr, Frank Schorr, Jr.
Talk about 'fealthy peektures'! Certainly the production of a film in Harlansburg cave will rank as an outstanding achievement in the realm of dirty movies. Stu Wilson, of the Youngstown TV station WKBN, had asked the grottoís help in the above project. Fortunately for his sanity (?) he had been in the cave before; and had no grand illusions of a Carlsbad.
Wilson, Mielcarek, Dunn, Kulamer, Ward, and Sandy arrived at Mr. Bruce's farm at about 10:30 Saturday morning. Most (around 1000 feet) of the cable (used previously in the Schoolhouse movie) was then loaded into his station wagon and conveyed to the cave. There Wilson operated one camera, Dunn or Ward operated another camera and the others operated on the cable in the mud. Much of the footage involved footage; ie, mud-enveloped boots schlooping through the -- you guessed it. Thus until nearly seven in the evening.
Tired but happy, our little band made its way to the local fireman's hall for an oyster stew supper; from thence went Dunn, Mielcarek, Kulamer and Sandy to Sandy's farm in Mercer for the night.
Sunday was about the same only with more people. Midway in the day's operation the cable was abandoned, it's end having been dropped in the mud; and the rest of the pictures were taken with light powered by the (barely portable) battery. The cease fire was finally called at around eight p.m. when the camera became, despite precautions, so enshrouded with mud that they could no longer (literally) grind. The cable was left in the cave at Mr. Bruce's request. Also left in the cave were Mielcarek's and George Howard's bootsoles.
The project was much indebted to Mr. Bruce, not only for the use of his cable, and for arranging for power from the garage down the road, but also for heaven-sent coffee; to George and Chal Howard for their incomparable guide service; and to the owner of the garage for his large, warm furnace.
Whatever might have been left of Stu Wilson's film after editing was broadcast on his show 'The Roving Camera' on Thursday, November 20, at 7:30 p.m. on WKBN, Channel 27, UHF Youngstown.
The film used was Dupont 931 (black and white) and Super-ansochrome, both 16 mm. The portable light was a 'Fresolite'. On the cable, two crosses with four 375 watt medium beam photo-floods per cross. The cable was connected to 220 volts. The cameras were both Bolex.
Viera Kulamer.
The Netherworld News, Volume 6, Number 11, November 1958, Page 248.
Back
Home
|
 |
