George Lancaster of Paramount News discusses some bits and pieces of his trade – including his colleagues and how to be first in getting your film to New York from Washington State back in 1932.

One of the most general characteristics of men in news reel work for any length of time is a dual personality — merry, happy, fond of a joke and handy with wisecracks out of working hours, but hard boiled and intent on getting the story when working.

This is a game where you get assignments, tough or pleasant as they come, with no thought other than to get the picture. There is no time to think of danger. Of course, if there is a chance for a scoop or an exclusive the thrill of getting on the screen first outweighs all other considerations.

Each man on the job goes at it in a two-fisted manner, trying to outdo all others and deliver the best pictures. But just as soon as the packages of film are in the mail business is shelved and forgotten. Relaxation and a friendly discussion of the day’s work replace the strenuous efforts expended in behalf of keen-edged competition….

…There are a lot of professional tricks in this game. It is not at all unusual for one cameraman to try and slip something over on the gang to make a beat.

One of these tricks is known as “the Post Office gag.” I saw this worked on a shipwreck assignment on the beach at Hoquiam, Washington. All the different newsreel men were on the job, of course, and later we all congregated in the post office to mail our packages of film to New York.

One of the boys in the line asked us how we were going to ship the film, straight or air mail. Then he remarked he was shipping his straight as it was only another ship on the rocks. Walking over to the mail chute he dropped in his package.

A cameraman who was wise to this gag walked over to the chute and stood near the opening to listen how the package sounded when it dropped. It had a decidedly empty like sound. Not being acquainted with this trick I asked for information and learned that the package which was dropped was a dummy.

The real package was in the smart guy’s car. He wanted us to think he was mailing straight hoping the rest of us would follow suit. He would then beat it over to Pasco, the air mail terminal, and ship his film to New York via air, outside handling.

That would put his story in New York and on the screen about four days ahead of the others. Then we could consider ourselves scooped. Get the angle?

“Just what do you mean by ‘outside handling’?” I asked.

“Well,” was the answer, “that means the news companies have an agreement with the Post Office department not to put in the mail bags or through the regular post office routine packages so marked by a label provided.

“When the plane leaves the airport we wire the editor that the plane left on such and such time. The office keeps tab on its flight and has a messenger waiting at New Brunswick Field for its arrival. The aviator hands the special messenger the package. He rushes it to the laboratory, thus saving a day for the regular delivery.”

Editor’s note: There’s over 100 more stories like this listed at this link.