"'Chicago the Vacation Center of the Nation,' which was awarded the honors in the Documentary class, was photographed in 16mm. color by Theodore D. Shaw of the Metro Movie Club of Chicago. Mr. Shaw has been making movies for eight years, which fact perhaps explains why he was able to accomplish what he did without the use of filters or other effects. The film gives an excellent portrayal of life in a big town, starting with the day as Chicago appears at sunrise. Perhaps it would be difficult to name a city which possesses so varied a background in its lake and river and bridges. Certainly educational authorities searching for subjects that portray with authenticity life in metropolitan centers could not go wrong in seeking this fine picture of Chicago. The subject rates in all departments as a finished film." American Cinematographer, Jan. 1939, 17.
"A “city symphony” film, produced to encourage Photographic Society of America members to attend their 1963 conference in Chicago, City to See is a surprising film. It combines footage of Chicago with a deadpan commentary that pokes fun commercial travel films: “Chicago is my town,” the narrator says wryly, “and no other town will do.”" Chicago Film Archives
"Interior shots of a woman with a young child sat on her knee. Cuts to a shot of a woman and child playing in a field. The child sits on an adult's bicycle and the woman pushes it across the field towards the camera. A dog follows on behind" (NWFA Online Database).
"A Child's Introduction to the Cosmos is a humorous attempt to describe, in child language, what the Cosmos must be like. Actually, the charm of this film comes in its telling. Somehow the message doesn't matter too much" PSA Journal, Aug. 1967, 37.
"Family footage shot in the garden of a house situated on The Beeches in West Didsbury; April 1925. Includes various scenes of a baby and child, sitting in a pram and playing with their nanny" (NWFA Online Database).
"Children playing in the Behrens family garden. Includes shots of two little girls sitting on a small wooden horse and a toddler wearing a knotted handkerchief on its head" (NWFA Online Database).
"Children Grow Up, photographed by Charles J. Carbonaro, ACL, and produced by The Religious Motion Picture Foundation, is one of the best examples of effectively handling amateur actors in a story telling film yet made. This three reel film was avowedly produced to point a moral in parent and child relationships and, as such, may be classed as social propaganda, a function in which it succeeds admirably. Yet the story it tells seems genuine and is of general audience interest. The film is carefully cut so that the action is logical and smoothly paced. Mr. Carbonaro is particularly to be congratulated for his handling of the difficult technique of parallel action, which occurs as the development of the children of two separate families takes place. Both streams of interest merge into one in a well planned, dramatic climax. The story is told entirely with the aid of amateur actors. Interior shots are in the majority and, for these, no special sets were built, the furnishings of the ordinary home being used. The lighting and exposure under these conditions are excellent throughout." Movie Makers, Dec. 1935, 534.
A documentary film demonstrating how learning and education in the classroom can be supported by an engagement with the local community and natural history.
"Documentary: Depicts lives of children in the Belgian Congo and French Cameroon." National Archives.
"Excellent documentary of the care and treatment of (cerebral palsy) spastic children. The very thought of the subject may bring us sharply to the realization of our good fortune. The picture handles the subject with fine touches of human interest and may cause us to feel thankful that there are those who will devote their time and energies to this work. It must be tremendously rewarding to see the children learn to walk and do things under their own power and control. A truly enlightening picture" PSA Journal, Nov. 1959, 48.
Total Pages: 299
Amateur Cinema