Sunday, October 25, 2015

The Moviola Crab Dolly

Hitch and his crew using the Moviola at Universal Studios. No, the guy in the background isn't texting! I believe that's camera operator, Irving Rosenberg. The guy leaning in talking with Hitch, is Hitch's favorite cinematographer, Robert Burks. Click on any image to enlarge.
Moviola's dimensions are 34" x 64" which is considerably larger than the Mini-Crab. The Moviola weighs in at 530 lbs. It has a maximum reach of 60" and a minimum of 22". Sargent's Mini-Crab tips the scales at 293 lbs., and measures in at 26 3/4" x 39", with a maximum height of 56" and a minimum of 28".  In comparison, one of the best features of the Mini-Crab is that it can be completely transported by two people and in it's own carrying case!
Another shot of the Moviola on set laden down with a BNC and Mary Tyler Moore spinning the Worral Gear Head. 



10 comments:

  1. Hi there! I recently acquired a Moviola Crab Dolly! I know it's not a Mini-Crab Dolly, but I was curious about whether or not you had any information about the Moviola's or know anybody else that has one by chance?

    - Jon

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    1. Hi Jon, I also have a Moviola Crab Dolly..love to talk.

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    2. I'm thinking about buying one. I have a small studio and would love to hear your thoughts.

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    3. For all that own a MOVIOLA CRAB DOLLY
      I would like to talk with you.

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  2. Is it smooth without dolly track? Does the boom ease in and ease out? How about maintenance?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, if the floor is smooth, this dolly runs smooth

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  3. I am a Professional Crab dolly operator and have one of the original Universal Studio Moviola dollies from the early 60's. Universal Studios started throwing them away in the large trash bins in the mid 1980's. As most productions were using J.L. Fisher dollies and smaller dollies from Chapman Leonard.

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  4. The moviola Crab dolly was the cadillac of all dollies of the time.What happen was filming started outside of the studios control and more independent films were being made. Independent and non-union productions started working away from studio sound stages and shooting more on locations in the 1970.

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  5. Under the larger budgets films studio backlots were built for the camera and designed for these controlled and designed shots.
    The smaller newer crab dollies were easier to move around on practical locations where smaller budget productions didnt have the money to build backlots or specially designed sets for the camera. Now the smaller crab dollies can fit inside a practical home or building. Where the Movioala and McAister dollies were too wide to fit thru a practical doors so they were very limiting for on location filming.

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  6. The moviola has the smoothest arm to date. However it has the old hot and cold valve to rise or lower the boom arm. Newer crab dollies have one universal valve knob to rise or lower. The eight pneumatic wheels are no longer made. Some people shave down go-cart wheels. I have seem people put the moviola on skatewheels on track. About maintenance ,any fork lift mechanic will retrofit current parts for your moviola. Other than the accumulater its bombproof

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