Still image from Prelude to Performance in Movie Makers, Dec. 1951, 393.
English
00:56:00
1350 ft
16mm
Kodachrome
Silent
"If you are engaged in any phase of little theatre work, Prelude to Performance is certainly your picture. However, even if you are not engaged in any phase of little theatre work, Prelude to Performance is also your picture. That fact of universal appeal is the true measure of this movie's success. Made by John W. Jones with the cooperation of the London Little Theatre, in Ontario, Canada, the primary purpose of this picture was to outline (and, if possible, teach) the basic steps of putting a play together. This it most certainly does, from the inception of the idea down to the rise of the opening night curtain. But in the process — through a sound sense of cinematic treatment and smoothly integrated subtitles — the picture maintains a lively and appealing interest for all." Movie Makers, Dec. 1951, 412.
Discussed by John W. Jones in "Prelude to Performance" (Movie Makers, Nov. 1950, 410-411, 429-430). The article describes the origins and production process of the film, as well as its eventual country-wide distribution. Jones states that the film's full production credits read: Produced by the Motion Picture Division of the London Little Theatre, with technical assistance from the National Film Board, and with the cooperation of the Physical Fitness Division, Department of National Health and Welfare, Ottawa.
The film was accompanied by a book of the same title, Prelude to Performance, written by Blanch M. Hogg of the Department of National Health and Welfare, Physical Fitness Division.
This film is a part of the National Film Board of Canada Collection held by Library and Archives Canada.
National Film Board of Canada Collection, Library and Archives Canada
Amateur Cinema