English
16mm
B&W
Silent
"Thornwell Orphanage, planned and made by Willis Osborn, is a film study of Thornwell Orphanage, showing the scholastic, industrial and religious training of the youngsters there and presenting a subtle argument for its support. This is a difficult subject because of the problem of selecting significant and coherent action from among the almost endless possibilities. Most welfare films are too discursive and too general in treatment to secure the effect desired. Mr. Osborn has succeeded in avoiding this and has produced a film as coherent and informative as it is well photographed." Movie Makers, Dec. 1932, 560.
Osborn discusses the making of a successful welfare film in "Thornwell Goes on the Screen" (Movie Makers, Sept. 1933, 370, 387). His article states that Thornwell Orphanage is also known as A Day at an Orphanage.
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Amateur Cinema