Arvard Wooden

He was a Key Grip in the 50s, 60s, 70s, until his retirement in 1973. Two of the shows of mention were "People's Choice" and "Hennessy". They were filmed at General Service Studio on Las Palmas. He also did "Land of the Giants" at ZIV studio (which used to be across the side street from Goldwyn's Studio).

He and the crane were mentioned in a book about a German director, who made two films at Universal in the late 1940s using the crane.

He left High School and went to work at Hal Roach Studio in 1924, but went back and finished High School at the request of his mother. After completing high school, he worked at several studios, Hal Roach, William Fox and independent productions. He began as a grip, but worked with several different designations. Went to work at RKO in the early '30s, becoming a crane grip. The first two Fred Astaire musicals they had problems with the crane grip timing the movements with the dancing. Woody was assigned to the third and because of his work Astaire requested him for the rest of the pictures at RKO. When Astaire moved to MGM, he asked 'Woody' to come along. He declined, saying that he lived across the street in the second story corner apartment (which is still there on Gower). When RKO slowed down in the late 30s, he went to work for Selsnick Studios. There he was the crane grip for "Tom Sawyer" and "Gone With The Wind", among others. He became a Master Sargent in the Army Air Force during WWII in one of the Hollywood Units. His unit made the air photographs that the topographical maps were made for Alaska, pending Japanese attacks there. After the war 'Woody' worked at Universal. One of the pictures there was "It's a Wonderful Life". While there, inspired by the gunners control on bombers, he built his own stage crane, which became very popular for use and was used through "Beverly Hillbillies".

Arvard Wooden was born in Stockton, Kansas. The family moved to California in 1922. Arvard went to Lincoln High School one year behind actor Robert Young.