The films included in this database are winners of amateur movie contests or works that have been identified as significant by archives and historians.
"Perhaps the first experimental film made in British Columbia, this short uses found footage, painted and scratched emulsion, negative and reversed images, chaotic camera movements, and holes punched in the frame and filled with other images. Some portions are hand coloured." (British Columbia Archives.)
Amateur film documenting the wedding of S. Winston Childs and Cynthia (Cheney) Childs. The film shows guests gathered in formal attire; eventually the bride and groom exchange vows, share the wedding cake, and depart from the ceremony.
The title card reads: an amateur movie reel in kodachrome. Footage includes: S. Hurok Ballet Theater : "La fille mal gardée" (excerpts); Folk Dance Demonstrations by Ukrainians; Chinese Stage Dragon Dance for Red Cross; Eaton's Santa Claus Parade (no date); A Bit of the Toronto Skating Carnival; and An Abrupt Change to Ballet on a Stage in Toronto. Library and Archives Canada
"Mr. Taylor submitted an amusing scenic film in the 35 millimeter division, showing the varied and bizarre architecture of Hollywood. An honorable mention was awarded this film. This contest contribution was made last Summer and Fall during Mr. Taylor's spare time. He used a small automatic camera, equipped with ah F .3.5. lens, and an old Pathe of doubtful vintage" Photoplay, June 1928, 137.
"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.
"The seven reel industrial film made by Sherman A. MacGregory, ACL, of the construction of a sewage treatment plant was placed among the year's ten best because of its exact and thorough handling of a difficult subject. For more than five months Mr. MacGregory served as construction engineer and cameraman on a job that progressed slowly through many stages. But only by recording in detail all of these stages could he make the film serve its purpose efficiently as an office record — with the result that 4000 feet of 16mm. film were exposed in the process. In the final, carefully edited and titled edition, Mr. MacGregory has achieved and sustained definite interest, even for the layman, in a film subject that threatened monotony at every turn. Unusual and effective camera positions played a large part in this as a complement to the exact production and editing." Movie Makers, Dec. 1932, 560.
"Film features trees and leaves, ducks, water, a statue, 2 women wearing coats, a bridge and some house-like structures. The garden was filmed in the spring/summer and fall" Archives of Ontario.
"One of these other films, showing a moose hunt, received an honorable mention. Thus Mr. Covert was the only contestant to receive two honors in the contest. His films revealed, besides brilliant photography, an unusual scenic sense. His films were no mere series of disjointed shots. In each case Mr. Cover told a story—and an interesting one" Photoplay, June 1928, 67.
"The principal award of $500 in the 16 millimeter division was awarded to B. V. Covert...for his remarkable study of a quail hunt and a number of beautiful pointers in action. Mr. Covert's photography was superb in this film and in two other contest contributions submitted for the consideration of the judges...His films revealed, besides brilliant photography, an unusual scenic sense. His films were no mere series of disjointed shots. In each case, Mr. Covert told a story—and an interesting one" Photoplay, June 1928, 67.
"In describing her film, Miss Bodine says: "I did all the camera work myself, using a Filmo double speed Camera, although some of the picture was taken using single speed. Most of the picture was made with a Taylor-Hobson Cooke lens, a 3 3-4 telephoto, the film being the regular Kodak safety stock. All of the work was done on a tiny porch of a summer cottage in Maine" Miss Bodine used small bottles, filled with sweetened water, to attract the humming birds before her camera." Photoplay, June 1928, 137.
Total Pages: 219
Amateur Cinema