Bill and Marguerite Roozeboom interview
- AAAB4291
- Item
- 1981-05-07 [date recorded]
Part of Provincial Archives of British Columbia audio interviews, 1974-1992
CALL NUMBER: T3843:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Interview with Bill and Marguerite Roozeboom PERIOD COVERED: 1933-1946 RECORDED: White Rock (B.C.), 1981-05-07 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Bill: "Roozeboom" pronunciation and meaning; born Hendrik Willem Bakhuys-Roozeboom in Schin-op-geul, Netherlands, 17 February 1921; immigration of family to Canada induced by C.P.R. land promotion scheme; settled in Alberta. Move to Vancouver, 1934. Marguerite: born 13 February 1923 in Vancouver; Marguerite Ellen Goulding before marriage; desire to be an artist and education at Vancouver School of Art. Family influence on artistic career. Influence of Bert Binning, Charles Scott and Jack Shadbolt. Binning's reaction to her decision to go into filmmaking. Bill: aerial reconnaissance work for Royal Netherlands Air Force in South Pacific during World War II. Childhood film experiences, 1933-34. Projectionist for squadron in WW II; tale of Japanese soldier who came to a movie and was captured. Marguerite: childhood interest in film. Engaged to Gus Roozeboom (1921-1944). Went to work for Vancouver Motion Pictures (1944) owned by Leon Shelly, also owner of Screenadz. Gus killed at Arnhem. Marguerite decided to go into commercial instead of fine art. Went to Los Angeles commercial art school, way paid by Shelly. Shelly Films relocated to Toronto (1946), spent a little time there. Came back to Vancouver, met and married Bill. Oscar Burritt, Wally Hamilton (now in Philippines), other filmmakers in Vancouver in late 1940s. TRACK 2: Marguerite: Wally Hamilton first experienced cameraman in Vancouver; Ernie Kirkpatrick; Hamilton's background. Bill: Hamilton's background. Marguerite: E. Kirkpatrick, cameraman; Ed Taylor from Hollywood gave Marguerite first animation experience on salmon film. Kirkpatrick went back to Toronto; deceased. Helen Semmens, editor. Bill: Lew Parry's entry into filmmaking and personal background. Marguerite: story of trying to get hired at age 14 by Parry, art director at Neon Products. CALL NUMBER: T3843:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Interview with Bill and Marguerite Roozeboom PERIOD COVERED: 1955-1981 RECORDED: White Rock (B.C.), 1981-05-07 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Bill: production history of "Take Four Giant Steps" (1958-59). Marguerite: print asked for by National Film Archives. Bill: problems of cold weather motion picture photography. Roy Minter's role in "Take Four Giant Steps" as writer. Entertainment value of "Take Four Giant Steps" and public reception. "Rogers Pass" film, prints for. Marguerite and Bill: "Ripple Rock" film versus "Take Four Giant Steps" as drama. TRACK 2: Bill: production history of "Ripple Rock" film. Marguerite: art work for "Ripple Rock" film. Bill: clarification of loss of ships on Ripple Rock. Marguerite: art work for "Ripple Rock" film and story of feeling Bill had been killed in explosion. Enjoyment of abstract animation and use of in various films. Bill: explanation of broadcast scatter system. Marguerite: continues story of abstract art in telephone film on broadcast scatter system. Art work on film by Bill for government of Saskatchewan. Bill: high cost of animation and art work by Marguerite (satire). Bill: summary of involvement in film; 1955, joined Parry Films permanently; 1958, on his own; signed on Jack Lindsley to do promotion and selling of film; Pageant Productions, incorporated, 1961, made about 12-14 films a year; Werner Franz, Shelagh Reljic, editors; sold about 1965 to KVOS-TV but Bill remained on for three years but departed before contract expired over artistic dispute with Jack Gettles, manager of KVOS-TV. Present (1981) working conditions as Bill Roozeboom Productions. Marguerite: statement on film as communication tool. (End of interview)