"Bill Turnbull of Denver entered several 8mm subjects of the Chicago Fair. To our mind they were among the very best pictures of that event that had been submitted to us in the past two years. His pictures were well cut, nicely edited and deserving of honorable mention." American Cinematographer, Feb. 1936, 73.
"University of Illinois Chicago (UICC) student film that documents the Chicago Fire Department house and fire officers of 158 West Erie Street. Images of the officers at work and play are interspersed with portraits of the firehouse, which is located in Chicago's River North neighborhood." Chicago Film Archives
"Travelogue of cities, towns, and outdoor activities found around Lake Michigan. There is a wide variety of footage, including sand dunes, beaches, parades, many shots of flowers, ships, industrial ports scenes, attractions of historic horse-and-buggy town Mackinaw City, a mansion on fire, Grand Hotel: World’s Largest Summer Hotel, camping, rafting, farmers harvesting crops, and the Prudential Building in Chicago." Chicago Film Archives.
"Attempting to film a large city with its huge skyscrapers and teeming population through the lens of an 8mm. camera would seem to be an almost overwhelming task. However, boldly tackling such a gigantic project, Richard Guetl in his entry, The Big City, proves it can be done. This competent photographic work presents a good, clear coverage of Chicago, where Mr. Guetl resides. His angles are interesting and compositions pleasing. His street shots around the Loop and his camera treatment of the human derelicts on Skid Row are worthy of special commendation. While The Big City is not an epic, it is a capable, factual presentation with just enough skyscraper shots to make it authentic, enough stores and people to give it pulsating life, and enough pathos to arouse the emotion." Movie Makers, Dec. 1952, 340-341.
"Bulbs and Beauty reveals in painstaking detail the planting, cultivating and harvesting of gladioli in the vast fields surrounding the town of Momence in the state of Illinois. In this elaborate undertaking, Haven Trecker unfolds in well planned and profusely close-upped sequences the many colorful aspects of this popular plant in the life of flower-loving America. The harvesting sequence is followed by somewhat generous footage of a flower festival, the big annual affair in glad-minded Momence; and the festival in turn is followed by a seemingly endless parade in tribute to these bounteous blossoms. Bulbs and Beauty, accompanied agreeably by magnetic sound on film, appears to have been made for informative and record purposes. It fulfills these functions in a lively and competent manner." Movie Makers, Dec. 1952, 337, 339.
"This film is 'a love letter to the city' from Chicago native and filmmaker Warren E. Thompson. It is a continuing effort to record some of the events, characteristics, problems and glories of Chicago. Footage includes architecture, sculpture, housing, Lake Michigan, Chinatown, parades, Maxwell Street Market, and the people of Chicago. Thompson captures life and culture from the most affluent to the poverty stricken." Chicago Film Archives.
"Charles and Robert Coles showed a fine knowledge of the use of filters in their twin subject, 'Cascade and World's Fair.' Also they showed a grasp of composition and camera angles that was refreshing." American Cinematographer, Dec. 1933, 342.
"Among the ten best, Century of Progress, in Kodacolor, by Herbert H. Johnson, ACL, is a striking illustration of the degree of perfection that color motion picture photography has attained. Its studied angles and dignified composition are augmented by excellent photography. Mr. Johnson paid careful attention to the very important point of exact exposure in relation to color value and, as a result, brought a new version of the Fair to the one who had never seen it in color before. By taking plenty of time he was able to single out the best camera positions and wait for the lighting that was most favorable. The excellent handling of the camera brought a sense of intimacy to each scene. The film's only fault is an excessive use of lap dissolves which detracted somewhat from the smoothness of the continuity." Movie Makers, Dec. 1933, 499.
"A Century of Progress, the one reel record of the Fair in Kodacolor, by Edmund Zacher, II, ACL, is distinguished by the freshness of its dramatic treatment rather than by the faultless excellence of technique. In this latter field, Mr. Zacher, choosing to experiment along relatively unblazed color trails (slow motion, night photography, dissolves, etc.) has on occasion made slight errors, a fact which he himself is the first to admit. Dramatically, however, his film is a joy and a delight, replete with human interest, unhurried but unflagging in its presentation of the Fair from ever fresh viewpoints." Movie Makers, Dec. 1933, 523.
"'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.
Total Pages: 2
Amateur Cinema