"In a gondola we move about the canals of Venice to see the sights and wonders of that ancient city, at one time home of the masters of the Mediterranean. There are boats, buildings, people, some in their windows ornamented with flower boxes, children at play in the land of no streets, gardens for the better-to-do citizens, and the famous clock and doves of St. Mark's Square. On the first Sunday of September each year the regatta is shown in all its color and pageantry" PSA Journal, Oct. 1961, 49
"The prizewinner for color, 'This Side of Paradise,' was in Kodachrome and entered by A. Scott Moorhouse of Toronto, a member of the Toronto Amateur Movie Club. The locale of the subject was the Italian and Swiss mountains and lakes. The decision on color or rather the reaching of it constituted one of the committee's chief headaches. There were some remarkable examples submitted. Mr. Moorhouse has a right to feel proud of his product." American Cinematographer, Jan. 1938, 27.
"Venezia, Pearl Of The Adriatic - Oscar Horovitz, in his recent world travels, gives us the benefit of his discerning eye with a studied and beautiful account on color film of the beauties of Venice, Italy. In this picture, he especially demonstrates his uncanny knack for searching out the most dramatic points of interest and for capturing them with his camera in such a manner that even without a running commentary, the picture has an unusual appeal. The secret, of course, is Horovitz's trick of following up his shots with more descriptive shots, in order to tell the complete story. Every sequence, no matter how brief or what the subject, is complete -sufficient. His compositions are artful, adding much to the interest of the picture. Considering that he spent two days in Venice, he has achieved a remarkable documentary of this beautiful and interesting city." American Cinematographer, May 1952, 224.
"Venice, with the misted Italian sun glowing softly on her mosaic domes and sparkling spires, is truly gem-like in her pearly beauty. And Oscar H. Horovitz has succeeded to an extraordinary measure in capturing the warm opalescence of this ancient capital. Such standard subjects as the Grand Canal and St. Mark's Square, in sequences of rewarding detail, have been blended in with less familiar scenes along the city's less famed waterways and few narrow streets. Such a detailed study belies the widespread belief that one must have unlimited time in which to do full justice to one's subject; Mr. Horovitz reportedly spent but two days here. However, his expert command of the technical elements of movie making, plus a pleasing sense of composition and eye for human interest, combine to make Venezia a memorable travel-film experience." Movie Makers, Dec. 1951, 410-411.
"Venice, another Kodacolor achievement by John V. Hansen, ACL, exemplifies in a new way the amazing versatility of the amateur color medium in the hands of a master craftsman. The significant accomplishment in this case is capturing the brilliant, yet delicate, Andrea del Sarto mosaics in the arched recesses above the doors of St. Marks in Venice. Although the sunlight does not strike these mosaics directly and lighting conditions for any type of photography are difficult, Mr. Hansen succeeded in registering the tones and colors, from the most subtle pastel shades to the brilliant yellow of metallic gold. This latter quality, so difficult to simulate in any medium other than the real thing, here is shown with the rich luster of the metal itself. Turneresque interpretations of Venice in another section of the reel are equally beautiful, if less obvious accomplishments, while studies of colors of buildings, as reflected in shimmering water, succeed in preserving what otherwise would be the most elusive memories of beauty. Mr. Hansen richly deserves the accolade of the Ten Best." Movie Makers, Dec. 1934, 534, 545-546.
"An impressionistic look at the sights of Venice from morning until evening." (EAFA Database)
"In 2 parts, the film depicts a cycling journey around central Europe through Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, Yugoslavia, West Germany, and the Netherlands. Tourist scenes includes shots of Venetian canals, the leaning tower of Pisa, and Dutch windmills.In 2 parts, the film depicts a cycling journey around central Europe through Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, Yugoslavia, West Germany, and the Netherlands. Tourist scenes includes shots of Venetian canals, the leaning tower of Pisa, and Dutch windmills." Chicago Film Archives.
"From the Island of Capri, Helen Welsh has brought home a charming, sunny vignette in Where the Sirens Sang. It is the sort of film any traveler would like to have as a memento of a pleasant sojourn. Miss Welsh's seeing lens has captured the spirit of the countryside, its people, its luxurious beaches, its typical transportation. For this reviewer, Where the Sirens Sang plays a beckoning tune indeed." Movie Makers, Dec. 1953, 334-335.
"This amateur film captures Edwin and Minnie Mayer’s worldwide adventure across Australia, Asia, Africa, and Europe in the 1950s. This segment documents stops in Thailand, India, Egypt, Greece, Vatican City, Italy, the Netherlands, and England" Texas Archive of the Moving Image.
Total Pages: 3
Amateur Cinema