Universal's Camera Crane

[earlytalkiebuffRob]

Having just watched BROADWAY (1929) I was wondering what happened to Universal's great crane which is used to such spectacular effect. Does it still exist? When was it used last?

[David Alp]

not sure, but there are a LOAD of pictures of said crane over at this website

http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/broadwaycrane/Recent" target="_blank

According to the above photo's it appears that Universal were still using it in 1943, on what looks to be the remake of "Phantom Of The Opera" (1943).

[earlytalkiebuffRob]

Nice one! And wondered if Welles and Metty used it for the opening of TOUCH OF EVIL...

[Neil Lipes]

The Universal Crane aka The Broadway Crane came into being after Director Paul Fejos and Cinematographer Hal Mohr approached Universal production head Julius (Carl Jr.) Laemmle and "pitched" the idea of a giant crane that would all but revolutionize modern film production. Once the project was "green lighted" the Los Angeles engineering firm Llewellyn (sp) Steel Corporation was entrusted to design (with input from Fejos and Mohr) and build this amazing piece of equipment, which had almost total ability to move in any position the director required. The cost of this wonder crane was $50,000.00 1929 dollars! Factoring in inflation, this would be over $600,000.00 2016 dollars!!

This crane was put to good use on many Universal productions three in particular........All Quite On The Western Front, The King of Jazz, and ...The Bride of Frankenstein.

Sadly, with the passing of time the crane was utilized less and less as more modern variants came into being.
The Broadway Crane was sitting idle on the Universal back lot as late as the mid 1970's......rotting away.....Hal Mohr was interviewed in the mid 1970's and related the sad ignominious end of this amazing piece of equipment.

[Neil Lipes]

Nice one! And wondered if Welles and Metty used it for the opening of TOUCH OF EVIL...

I have attempted to find the answer to this very question.........for several years........only production stills hold the answer to that question........and those repose out in Universal City.

[Neil Lipes]

not sure, but there are a LOAD of pictures of said crane over at this website

http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/broadwaycrane/Recent" target="_blank" target="_blank

According to the above photo's it appears that Universal were still using it in 1943, on what looks to be the remake of "Phantom Of The Opera" (1943).

That crane was not The Broadway Crane........not even close.

[BixB]

Pretty certain it was used for Dracula's entrance in the 1931 Spanish language version.

[Neil Lipes]

Pretty certain it was used for Dracula's entrance in the 1931 Spanish language version.

Bingo.........you are correct........the Broadway Crane was utilized in the Spanish version as I have a production still of the crew with the crane on the stairs leading up to the top of Carfax Abbey.

[Michael F. Blake]

They also used it on Whale's THE ROAD BACK in 1937. My dad remembered it quite well during filming.