"In I Walked a Crooked Trail, O. L. Tapp has lured a good deal of motion and humor out of what must be one of the world's most static subjects — the Arches National Monument. Remembering that story interest is an important part of cinematics, Mr. Tapp has kept his very competent camera trained on continuous human action, letting his travelog unwind itself, very subtly, as a background. The film is limited by the essential triviality of its theme — the unfolding of a practical joke. But within its limits it does very well indeed." Movie Makers, Dec. 1950, 467-468.
A man schedules a fishing trip several weeks in advance of the date. Before the day comes, he must overcome several mishaps and hindrances that threaten the trip.
"A University of Chicago student film production and “Young Chicago Filmmakers Festival” award winner in 1971, Holden Franz Aust’s "In The Divine Plan" pits Nietzsche against Jesus in an ultimate ideological battle. Christian moralism meets Nihilism." Chicago Film Archives
"With the help of four wild ducks and two cooks, Dan Billman, jr., has produced a gay film of contrasting culinary abilities. With understandable economy, he has allotted only one duck to the novice cook, while three are given to a jewel of the kitchen. The preparation of the birds in competent hands is a delight to watch, for the closeups of each step are examples of superb interior lighting. The abandon with which the beginner mixes the dressing and what happens to her stuffed duck in cooking are presented in ludicrous contrast. The Inside Story has as its climax an attractive sequence of serving the perfectly roasted birds at a family dinner. A light touch is added by gay titles and their accompanying sketches, while special mention must be made of the fine scene shot from outside the house at night, to reveal the warm interior of a pine paneled room through the black tracery of the casement window frames." Movie Makers, Dec. 1945, 494-495.
"Everyone knows a woman's penchant for a bargain, and this time it is father's favorite shaving soap - in quantity. Storage is a problem, but to a good housewife this can soon be solved. The trouble is, she fails to tell father. Still sleepy after his vigorous morning "one-two-threes," he quickly and incautiously, opens the "storage chest." When several cans of pressurized soap go tumbling against the hard surfaces of the bathroom fixtures, disastrous, and hilarious, things can happen" PSA Journal, Oct. 1963, 40.
"'Jeep Trails Through Utah' was produced by Stan Midgley with the use of a jeep rather than his faithful bicycle. He had to leave his bicycle at home, as the deep sands of Utah can only be traveled in a jeep. In his mechanical horse he criss-crossed one of the emptiest blanks on the American map. He leaves the traveled highways and goes back into the little known areas to find fantastically beautiful and unusual natural formations. He travels over sand-blown desert trails, up rocky mountain paths and through treacherous mountain gorges to produce a gem-like picture of Utah." La Canada Valley Sun, Sept. 9, 1971.
"Amateur narrative about a young farmer visiting the big city of Portland, Oregon." Center for Home Movies.
"Leo Caloia unlimbered his new Auricon sound camera to produce much of this picture and all of its sound track, but tighter editing as well as better direction would have greatly inproved the result. The continuity has to do with a couple, seen washing the supper dishes, discussing a proposed vacation, for which they have been putting money in a joint bank account. As they discuss the various places they would like to visit, there follow a number of scenes of each, then the camera cuts back to the discussion. The wife is summoned to the door by the mailman, receives a bill from a sporting goods store. She questions her husband about it and he confesses to having spent the proceeds of their bank account for a new set of golf clubs." American Cinematographer, May. 1951, 192.
"Just the Ticket is an 8mm entry from England by the Altrinecham Cine Club. This film will particularly appeal to the average film maker, for it deals with one of the devious ways of obtaining additional filming equipment without too much static from the little wife. A good trick if you can get away with it. But then, you may have to face the consequences as the film reveals. It's in color, all 17 minutes of it, and is especially recommended for wives of movie makers. Winner of the Best Club Film Award," PSA Journal, Mar. 1970, 43.
Total Pages: 23
Amateur Cinema