"Children Grow Up, photographed by Charles J. Carbonaro, ACL, and produced by The Religious Motion Picture Foundation, is one of the best examples of effectively handling amateur actors in a story telling film yet made. This three reel film was avowedly produced to point a moral in parent and child relationships and, as such, may be classed as social propaganda, a function in which it succeeds admirably. Yet the story it tells seems genuine and is of general audience interest. The film is carefully cut so that the action is logical and smoothly paced. Mr. Carbonaro is particularly to be congratulated for his handling of the difficult technique of parallel action, which occurs as the development of the children of two separate families takes place. Both streams of interest merge into one in a well planned, dramatic climax. The story is told entirely with the aid of amateur actors. Interior shots are in the majority and, for these, no special sets were built, the furnishings of the ordinary home being used. The lighting and exposure under these conditions are excellent throughout." Movie Makers, Dec. 1935, 534.
A documentary film demonstrating how learning and education in the classroom can be supported by an engagement with the local community and natural history.
"Documentary: Depicts lives of children in the Belgian Congo and French Cameroon." National Archives.
"Excellent documentary of the care and treatment of (cerebral palsy) spastic children. The very thought of the subject may bring us sharply to the realization of our good fortune. The picture handles the subject with fine touches of human interest and may cause us to feel thankful that there are those who will devote their time and energies to this work. It must be tremendously rewarding to see the children learn to walk and do things under their own power and control. A truly enlightening picture" PSA Journal, Nov. 1959, 48.
"During the 1940s, Mrs. Gertrude McGill ran the Children's Garden Library in the garden of her home at 1170 Tattersall Drive in Victoria. Open to children aged 4 to 12, this program aimed to improve reading habits and instill citizenship. It is seen as the beginning of cooperative preschools on Vancouver Island.
"Amateur film. Part 1 shows a day's activities at the Children's Garden Library, including games, calisthenics, playground equipment, dancing, and reading and storytelling at the "Book House". Part 2 shows the children participating in May 24 celebrations at Beacon Hill Park, which includes a May Queen pageant, maypole dancing, and activities honouring the "Queen of Health", the "Queen of Music", the "Queen of Drama", the "Queen of Race Friendship" and the "Queen of Art". A mothers' study group, and the toymakers' group, are also shown." (BC Archives)
"Bringing Kodacolor indoors was the task E. M. Barnard, ACL, set for himself in Christmas 1933, and the result is a 400 foot reel of very charming Christmas studies. One of the few attempts at a complete personal story in color, this picture presents a well photographed and adequately planned film of the youngsters' enjoyment of the holiday. Exposure for interior Kodacolor seems to be no problem to Mr. Barnard, for the majority of his scenes have perfect color rendition as well as very effective and interesting lighting. Some of the studies of his small daughter have an appealing loveliness that is impossible to get in black and white, for they present the very delicate flesh tones with perfect faith as well as the colors of costumes and incidental Christmas background. This film marks a new step in personal indoor filming and leads the way to more extensive use of the color medium by artificial light." Movie Makers, Dec. 1934, 546.
"The producers of 'Chronicle' must be commended for a novel treatment. They employed the hands only to show the life of a boy from his third birthday until maturity. Into this novel treatment they spun a story of the boy's downfall until he is found guilty of murder and is incarcerated. All of it was interior and was well photographed." American Cinematographer, Jan. 1936, 40.
"A Margaret Conneely amateur film starring St. Tarcissus’ Cub Scout Pack 3969 in a circus production. Children dress as both circus animals and performers." Chicago Film Archives
"Mrs. Anne Filut of Milwaukee, possibly entered the most ambitious undertaking to be viewed by the judges. Eleven reels of 8mm film on 'Creative Work in Fractions,' in which she clearly shows the principles of her subject and the fundamentals of the work she is teaching, taken in the class room with the children themselves as the actors. She was given honorable mention." American Cinematographer, Feb. 1936, 73.
"Miss Luther has brought forth a delightful yet simple episode involving a little girl, a little boy, and a bouquet of daisies in the hand of each. We watch them as they walk across the meadow, play in the streams, give attention to the small animals and their attention to each other. Grandmother is ready with the kind of reward little children expect" PSA Journal, Oct. 1961, 47.
Total Pages: 12
Amateur Cinema