"Two children and a simple plot are ideal ingredients for a family film story. In Magic Stairway, Margaret and Harlan M. Webber have used this combination to develop a lively and natural movie of their son Roy and their daughter Janet. Roy longs for a punching bag for Christmas, but he feels that it is a too expensive gift to expect from his parents. He decides to earn the money for it with the help of his young sister. In beautifully filmed sequences, the children are shown melting castoff candles and remolding them into delicate shapes, to be sold to the neighbors. The profits mount slowly until the desired goal is reached. Then tragedy strikes when Janet accidentally breaks one of Mother's treasured teacups. The direction and cutting in this sequence are particularly skillful, as each person's reaction to the broken cup is registered. All is harmony on Christmas morning when Mother's gift from the children (bought with the punching bag money) is revealed as a replacement of the broken treasure. Needless to say, the children fare handsomely, with the punching bag starring as the climactic present. Faultless camera work and intelligent direction of the children contribute to make this film far above the average." Movie Makers, Dec. 1947, 514.
"George A. Valentine long has been one of the nation's leading 8mm movie makers, because of his knack for consistently turning out capsule movies with a punch, which have won numerous awards. In 'Make Mine Magic' Valentine has scored again with an appealing story of a lad who comes into possession of a magic wand, and thereafter brings to reality numerous wishes of his and those of his brother and sister. Valentine has a slick way of injecting humor and also a surprise last-minute gag into his movies. His 8mm color photography is consistently good and his editing and titling, as always, is skillfully done." American Cinematographer, May 1952, 222
"May Day Conflict is a well executed and skillfully edited family story film of the conflict created by the opening of the trout season and a flower festival both falling on May first. The central character is a good loser (the husband, of course!), as he accompanies his wife to the flower show after elaborate preparations for his fishing trip. Herbert F. Sturdy has deftly woven into the story pattern light, humorous incidents to provide amusing comedy relief from his fine floral closeup studies. Expert camera handling and smooth transitions lend a semi-professional finish to the picture." Movie Makers, Dec. 1948, 493-494.
"A family film with intertitles made for the Amateur Cinema League. The film follows the adventures of Herbert Miller, Jr., with his parents, his dog Chips, and his toys, including a pedal car and a teddy bear. Other segments show a ski trip to Mount Hood and a Miller's Paint store." Archives West.
"An amusing, sophisticated treatment of a family Christmas. As the second film ever made by Mr. Hazard, "Merry Christmas" also won the first award and trophy at the 1955 Louisville international Exhibit of Photography. Excellent editing and directing result in the delightful skit of a tiny tot's premature discovery of Christmas tree and presents while parents are still sound asleep and of the mayhem that follows." PSA Journal, Dec. 1955, 35.
"Short story of a man, too busy with his gardening chores to be patient of the playful impulses of a little girl. His attention is drawn to a sobering event which provides time to reflect. A simple story but rather difficult for the amateur. It has been well handled by Honold Parks" PSA Journal, Nov. 1959, 49.
"Mr and Mrs Behrens are seen walking along a driveway, outside their family home. Includes footage of two young children and a toddler, kicking inflatable ball in the garden" (NWFA Online Database).
"Family members pose for photographs outside a house in Cockermouth; later they are seen running around in the garden. The photographer is seen discussing his camera. Shots of a ruined mill building after a fire." (NWFA Online Database)
"Black and white film highlighting the summer activities of ‘Little Brother,’ his older brother, and other children." Church History Library.
"Father attempts to blend his hobby of photography with "his other hobby" when mother goes off on an all day's shopping tour. Things are not so goo as father tried to figure the diaper angle, juggles the overheated bottles, tries a breakfast of dry pablum and while bananas. But finally father learns, baby is fed, and they both joyfully go through the ritual of the morning bath - a little off schedule. Father rushes through the other chores, and when mother returns, she finds both father and baby sleeping the sleep of exhaustion. Only after mother takes over can father return to his photography" PSA Journal, Oct. 1963, 41.
Total Pages: 15
Amateur Cinema