The Visual Guide To Press Cameras/Speed Graphics In Movies

I've always held a suspicion that large format press cameras such as the Graflex Speed Graphic are the most widely used prop cameras in cinema. Doing the research for my Photography in Movies and Television series of posts certainly helped me keep that belief. Attempting to create a list of every sighting would be a massive task, but who says I can't try?

This list will most likely never be complete, and currently isn't very big or even near complete, but I'll keep adding the sightings as I come across them. I already have a list of movies to get screen shots from, but I can only have so many Netflix movies out at once. Plus, instead of just fast forwarding through a lot of these movies which I haven't seen, I want to actually watch them.

If you know of any other movies which aren't listed here, mention it in the comments. I'll go hunting for video still and give you credit when I post them.

Band of Brothers (2001)

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During Episode 7: The Breaking Point a team of war journalists is seen interviewing the men. One of the journalists is using a Speed Graphic.

Back to the Future: Part 2 (1989)

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There is a very quick glimpse of a flash pan taking a photo of Biff. Don't blink or you'll miss it.

Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

Very early in Creature from the Black Lagoon a doctor runs out of his tent with a Speed Graphic to photograph their latest discovery. I'm not quite sure about how the man is framing his scene. He appears to look into the back of the flash pan when he makes his exposure. In a more authentic depiction of how a Speed Graphic is actually used, it is visually obvious that he forgets to flip the dark slide after exposure.

Enemy at The Gates (2001)

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Plenty of Speed Graphics are present during the press meeting at the Soviet headquarters. Would the Russians have had access to this many American cameras during World War II?

Flags of Our Fathers (2006)

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Considering that the plot of Flags of Our Fathers resolves around the people involved in what is probably the most famous photo to ever be taken with a Speed Graphic, you would expect there to be a lot of press cameras in this film. Don't worry, there is.

Futurama (2001)

Wait? Isn't Futurama a cartoon? Yes! But that doesn't stop a press camera from making an appearance in the episode Roswell That Ends Well.

The Great Muppet Caper (1981)

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Throughout The Great Muppet Caper Gonzo is seen holding, and using a medium format press camera. As an added bonus, during the darkroom scene, he is actually shown inspecting sheet film. No photography fail for the Muppets. Thanks to Charles H. for tipping me off.

Hollywoodland (2006)

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H.O.T.S. (1979)

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My sassy comments for the appearance of a Speed Graphic in H.O.T.S can be found in my earlier post Beyond 35mm.

James and the Giant Peach (1996)

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At the end of the movie a photographer is seen slinging a Speed Graphic. In perfect eBay seller form, the bellows appear to be way over extended.

L.A. Noire (2011)

L.A. Noire is an upcoming crime drama video game being produced by Rockstar Games. The first trailer that they have released depicts a photography using what appears to be an accurately modeled Anniversary Speed Graphic. The full trailer can been seen at the Rockstar Games website.

A League of Their Own (1992)

In one scene a press photographer who appears very bored sits ready with his Speed Graphic in hand. Dotti decides to liven things up and give him something worth photographing. Like a true pro he jumps to action without hesitation gets his photo. Old timer didn't even need to use a cable release.

Midnight Express (1978)

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After the Turkish police rummage though Billy's possessions near the beginning of the movie, he is forced to get his photo taken by a man with a press camera. I'm not sure of the model, but it doesn't look like a Graphlex. It also looks larger than I'd expect, so possibly it is a 5x7 instead of a 4x5 press camera.

The Money Pit (1986)

During the opening Rio de Jeneiro sequence, a photographer with a Super Graphic pops a photo of the newly wedded couple. Strange enough, for a photo taken with a full flash bulb mounted on the upper right side of the frame, the resulting image appears to be strongly lit from the left. Notice the shadow form the man's head being cast onto the arm of the woman behind him. The air in Brazil must make light behave differently.

Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (1985)

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There are a few press camera cameos at the beginning and end of Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. The late Phil Hartman also makes an appearance alongside one of them!

Raging Bull (1980)

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Plenty of Speed Graphics appear ringside in Scorcense's boxing drama set in the mid 20th century. One lucky photojournalist even manages to get his hands on a model with a top mount range finder for a fight that happened several years before they were introduced. Also noted is the close up of 127mm Wollensak Raptar.

Road To Perdition (2002)

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Evil doer Jude Law uses a Speed Graphic throughout Road To Perdition. He actually puts it on a tri-pod!

Seabiscuit (2003)

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Shawshank Redemption (1994)

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That Taco Bell Commercial Where Charles Barkley Raps

Probably one of the worst commercials of all time, in my own humble option. View it here. But hey! We get to see the rare left handed Speed Graphic! Any by rare, I mean that it is just footage of a typical Speed Graphic obviously mirrored during post production.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

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