a Goof in Goofs (the bomb sight)
This film's Goofs section says in part, "Factual errors: The secret weapon bomb sight is a standard photographic enlarger with the bellows and lens set upside down. If it were turned on as it is set up in the movie, the light would shine brightly upwards into the bombardier's eye."
Wrong!
The enlarger in question was made by Omega. It looks to be their 4x5 model. I know because at one time I owned one. Also while in the US Air Force and at various colleges and newspapers I worked with other 4x5 Omegas. Nothing about the one in the film is upside down.
I just watched the scene several times on http://www.hulu.com/watch/81702/sherlock-holmes-and-the-secret-weapon. All Dr. Franz Tobel (William Post Jr.) is doing is lifting the upper section of the enlarger (consisting of the light bulb holder and condenser). He is using a lever arm on the right side of the enlarger but we can't see that arm due to the movie camera angle. Dr. Tobel "pretends" to be looking intently at something on the top of the enlarger but all that is there, in reality, is the power cord and a metal plate containing the manufacturer's name, product model, etc.
If one looks closely one may see the round metal condenser section rising from the area of the enlarger where one places negative holders.
The "bomb release switch" is simply the enlarger's On/Off switch made of black Bakelite that is installed in-line as part of the electric power cord. At the end of the scene is an insert shot using stock footage where someone presses a different thumb switch that is at the end of a cord, most likely from actual military footage.
Funny enough, in the scene where Dr. Tobel returns to 221-B Baker Street having just been attacked and his head bandaged by the police doctor, the enlarger is in the background when Holmes and Watson are talking with Dr. Tobel. Then later in the film the same enlarger prop is used in a darkroom scene! Didn't the filmmakers think anyone would notice these multiple uses?
Ah, the magic of making movies. I should know I make a living working on them!
Terry Thomas
Character Actor and Film Unit Stills Photographer
Atlanta, Georgia USA
www.TerryThomasPhotos.com