Here's how I load all my non- P&S 35mm cameras:
1. Open the film door wide. Pull the rewind knob all the way up.
2. Pull about 2 inches of film out of the cartridge.
3. Holding the cartridge out away from the camera a little, push the film leader well into the slot in the take-up spool. Hold the camera in your left hand and the film cartridge in your right.
4. Still holding the cartridge out away from the camera sprocket, crank the wind lever enough to get the take-up spool to rotate at least 1/2 turn. Use the thumb of your left hand to crank the lever.
5. Draw the film cartridge from right to left across the "focal plane" so as to allow the film to contact the sprocket teeth properly.
6. Place the cartridge into its final position and crank the rewind knob enough to take up any slack in the film as it lies across the sprocket teeth and focal plane.
7. Close the film door, then proceed to wind and click the shutter until "1" shows in the window.
This may sound laborious, but believe me, it is simple and fast and avoids any loading mishaps that may be embarrasing later. Obviously, this procedure is not necessary with many newer cameras with the so-called "quick-loading" mechanisms.
Respectfully submitted,
w1wbz (Amateur Radio Call Sign)