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Ofice Memurmdam l UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : Dr. Charles Dunham, Deputy Director, IXvision DATE: November 5, 1954 of Biology & Medicine, Room 1309 T-3 Bldg. DMA asked you to concur on a memorandum to the task force indicating that AEC at this time had no specific need for a picture on 'the natives, you asked me to run down information on film on the subject. You have indicated that you wish to know where film is in the event there is a sudden need for it. As you lmow, Lookout ,MountainLaboratory, USAF, has a large batch of 16 mm. color material on the entire native situation with regard to Castle. During the period of November 8-12 I shall be in Hollywood and will ask the Air Force to prepare and forward to me a listing of the rough footage. You will hear further on this aspect. Last July, a 30-minute color film on the return of the Uterik natives and the relocation of the Rongelap people on Majuro.was shown to the -UN's Trusteeship Ccuncil by the U. S. representative, Mason Sears. It was a silent film, and Sears arranged that Frank Midkiff, then High Commissioner of Trust Teritories, do a running commentary. From State Interior personnel, CI it has been determined that the film was taken by oIficials of the Trust Territory (Midkiff*s staff). Allegedly it is not professional quality material, but was timely for the UZ showing. It is not believed there is a script of Midkiffts commentary. It seems doubtful that the film is still in this country, and the Interior boys have advised that information on the whereabouts of the film and a possible transcript of Midkiffls remarks 1ikelJ could be obtained from D. 8. Nucker, Deputy High Commissioner of: the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, headqluarteredat Guam. 'I assume you will contact Nucker. Curtis Strong at State said that he thought it likely that State mi&t well find need for another more updated picture for next summer's session of the Trusteeship Council. Obviously it would have to be shot in the field. Strong said that they might also want access to some of the Air Force footage. I tola him I would attempt to get a listing here. You may find that the "Midkiff" film has a future stop-loss worth. The USE footage would take time to.whig into.usable shape, but if you have the funds, Gaflordla init no doubt would be glad to make a rough-cut fib of whatever
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Dr. Charles Dunham -2- November 3, 1954 you might wish simply to pay for a sin,_nfe workprint of all the footage, or selected scenes -- something rough to have on hand here for emergency editing or evaluation. At State I talked to Strong (Ext. 4347). or to Bill Yeomans cc: Morse Salisbury, Director, DIS Capt. Vm. Guthrie, DMA John Hall, Special Projects