"Among the films awarded honorable mention is Remote Control, by Louis W. Bleser, ACL, which gives a fine cinematic exposition of the activities of a train despatcher, by means of an unusually well equipped miniature railway system. Here the technical problem is especially important, calling for closeup studies of the first quality, the aim being so to light and photograph the subject that there would be a semblance of realism. In effecting this result, the use of well chosen titles and fine editing played no small part. Such a film as this upholds the maxim that "cinematics begin at home." " Movie Makers, Dec. 1933, 522.
"In view of the increasing use of substandard motion pictures for practical purposes by scientific and professional men and women, it is to be expected that among the ten best would appear a surgical film. Philip A. O'Connor, of Rochester, N. Y., filmed A Reparative Operation for a Congenital Defect, which was performed by Dr. William L. Wolfson, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and this film is included by Movie Makers in this annual listing because of two chief reasons. This very delicate operation required a large degree of manipulation by the surgeon, without the use of instruments, which adds to the danger of the operator's obscuring the field of vision and, consequently, to the difficulty of securing a clear motion picture record of his work. In spite of this handicap, the admirable cooperative effort between surgeon and photographer enabled Mr. O'Connor to present an exceptionally visible study of Dr. Wolfson's technique. In the second place, the film gave a complete record of the entire operation, from start to finish, including the preliminary anesthesia. Whatever hazards may have existed photographically were so easily hurdled by Mr. O'Connor that the person viewing the film is almost unconscious of the fact that it is a film. Needless to say, the technical photographic details of exposure, focus and lighting were of the highest order." Movie Makers, Dec. 1933, 500.
"Documentary: On peasant farm life in Korea, the rice crop and family labor." National Archives.
"'Rice,' a three reel subject in the educational class entered by F. C. Ells of Yokohama, Japan, demonstrated a fine appreciation of production and photographic values as well as how to combine it so as to make entertainment. Many were of the opinion that this picture, if it were in 35mm, would be worthy of professional theatre presentation." American Cinematographer, Dec. 1933, 321.
"Sahuaro Land, by Frank E. Gunnell, is as clever and painless a teaching film as one may find in many a classroom screening. Here, in a colorful Arizona cactus desert, we find the surefire ingredients of a boy and his dog. The boy is an enthusiastic nature student who, in the course of his explorations of the region, contrives to make sundry entries in his notebook, which find their way to the screen. These data are all so natural a part of the story, however, that the information conveyed does not assume the rather forbidding status of an instructional title in any case. The outdoor color work is excellent, and the viewpoints are well chosen. Mr. Gunnell's use of telephoto technique for making closeup studies of distant, inaccessible objects (such as the bloom atop a tall cactus) was particularly effective. We learned a lot from this film." Movie Makers, Dec. 1940, 604.
"A Joint Production Committee film, complete with 'Teaching Notes', which sets out to describe the Skye crofter's seasonal employment in the salmon fishing industry of the 1930s." (EAFA Database)
"In order to acquaint university students with courses of study other than those which they pursue, Mervyn V. Miller has filmed The School of Physical Sciences. In so doing, he has given each department significant and generous footage to display its particular factors. The result gives other students a general understanding of an activity which otherwise might remain obscure to them. Mr. Miller's project is believed to be the first of its kind. He presented it as a thesis for a doctorate. The film is intelligently planned, edited and executed in such a way as to introduce the student to the unusual features, as well as the commonplace facts, of each of the physical sciences of the school. Through the shrewd handling of the script, the picture is developed as an excellent medium of orientation." Movie Makers, Dec. 1944, 496.
"Marine and seashore life on the Pacific coast. Includes: tidal plants, crustaceans, fish; oolichan fishery and its importance; seabirds of Triangle Island and Queen Charlotte Islands; seals and seabirds on the Pribilof Islands, etc. Also footage of Victoria Inner Harbour area, houses and gardens." (BC Archives)
Compiled from Clifford Carl's BC Provincial Museum films for use on an Audobon Screen Tour. Appears to have been revised in 1959.
"Sitting Right, a lively, attractive argument for good sitting posture, directs its message to the 'teen aged young ladies of America. Shrewdly, its producers — Grant, Flory and Williams — have brought complete authenticity to this possibly unpopular thesis by presenting it throughout in the playing of actual (and average ) high school girls. These same girls, adds John Flory, the director, even contributed many of the situation suggestions which are woven into the swiftly moving message of the film. The production is marked by fine lighting and camera work, heightened in their effect by a modern and refreshing treatment of the narrative track." Movie Makers, Dec. 1946, 490.
"A bicycle safety education film produced by The Bicycle Club of Rufus King High School of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, led by their teacher Harold M. Kuckuk." University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries.
"The Steam Locomotive, second release in the Know Your Railroad series, sponsored and produced by the Motion Picture Bureau of the New York Central System, is a worthy successor in this intelligent line of educational films. In it, Frederick G. Beach, supervisor of the bureau, has set forth in clean cut cinematography the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the famous Hudson type locomotive. An animated model of a steam cylinder explains the otherwise hidden functions of this key piece of machinery, while a soundly conceived narrative points up the film's visual teaching throughout. A stirring sequence showing these great coal eating giants at their daily tasks brings the picture to a dramatic close." Movie Makers, Dec. 1944, 495.
Total Pages: 14
Amateur Cinema