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Land Snakes Alive!

Date produced: 1945

Filmmaker(s):

Leo J. Heffernan

Description:

"Few individuals make so bold as to approach a snake either in a cage or its natural habitat. Leo J. Heffernan, however, not only approached a large number, but he has made a brilliant record of them in their natural surroundings and normal pursuits. No mere collection of harmless grass, garter and black snakes, this film of the field shows rattlesnakes, copperheads and coral snakes in their deadly dangerousness. Land Snakes Alive! is a comprehensive record of a series of field trips made by a group of amateur herpetologists, specialists in the study of reptilian life. An effective sequence deals with milking a rattlesnake of its venom; here, unusual and intelligent use is made of a split screen which shows simultaneously a medium shot of the subject and a closeup of the detailed action. Although the film is popular in style, it is highly informative. Even persons who shudder at reptiles will find amusement in the scenes of the common hog nose, or puff adder, playing dead when it believes itself in danger. Mr. Heffernan lets snakes put their best coils forward." Movie Makers, Dec. 1945, 494.


Lassie Stays Home

Date produced: 1945

Filmmaker(s):

Raymond J. Berger

Description:

"Children and pets are generally lovable and always interesting; but filming them is not a simple task, as many amateurs have found out. Raymond J. Berger, in Lassie Stays Home, accomplishes it with a sure touch and an ease that will be the envy of his fellow filmers. The excellently planned story tells of a lost child who is found by Lassie, the loyal canine family member, after the baby's somewhat older sister hunts her frantically. No adult appears in any of the footage; and remarkably enough, one does not sense the directing mother, just out of camera range. The whole movie goes forward as if the children and Lassie were entirely alone, with the camera miles away. Here is 8mm at its best and here is a film that every amateur would be proud to have made." Movie Makers, Dec. 1945, 494.


Last Review, The

Date produced: 1934

Filmmaker(s):

George A. Ward

Description:

"The Last Review, by George A. Ward, ACL, is an almost faultless example of a military motion picture, into which is woven a story that has the rare quality of evoking deep emotion from the audience. Actually, the film is a record of the camp life of the 105th Field Artillery of the New York National Guard, in its summer instruction quarters at Pine Camp, N. Y. Dramatically, it is the story of a Field Artillery private soldier and his friend, the oldest horse in the regiment. Condemned to be shot because of age and the approaching motorization of the command, the horse is reprieved and is given a review by the entire regiment in honor of "the artilleryman's best friend." The tale was not fictional, but actual. The hero was a member of the regiment, he loved the veteran horse and the review was actually held, not for purposes of filming but as a tribute. The film ends with the review, while actually the reprieve was only temporary and the equine actor has since been destroyed because of age. In this film, Mr. Ward exhibited cinematography of high quality and much incidental beauty. He contrived, as well, to give a military record that errs in no detail and that has no false note. To crown it all, he filmed a scenario, in itself moving and acted with complete sincerity." Movie Makers, Dec. 1934, 534.


Least Tern, The

Date produced: 1936

Filmmaker(s):

Ed N. Harrison

Description:

"In the educational class, E. N. Harrison's two reel subject, 'The Least Tern,' was excellent. For general showing the film unquestionably did have too much repetition, but for strictly educational use this would be an asset. More serious was the lack of necessary explanatory titles. The photographic technique was truly excellent, for virtually the entire film must obviously have been made with extremely long focus lenses, shooting from a blind, and the results on the screen were practically perfect." American Cinematographer, Feb. 1938, 76.


Letter, A

Date produced: 1943

Filmmaker(s):

Henry E. Hird

Description:

"Henry E. Hird offers the framework of a timely continuity plan for a scientific record in A Letter. A naturalist father writes a film letter to his sailor son who shares the father's scientific interest in bird and insect life, as well as in floral beauty. We see the father writing and the son reading a letter, the information in which is brought to life in film. Mr. Hird is a very capable observer and movie maker, and the combination of these abilities has enabled him to offer, in this informal style, a wealth of information. Extraordinary sequences of nesting birds are included." Movie Makers, Dec. 1943, 477.


Little Hunter: A Story In Stone

Date produced: 1960

Filmmaker(s):

Glen H. Turner

Description:

"Tells the story of 'Little Hunter' hunting a bear using images carved into stone walls near the Colorado River by a Native American tribe." Church History Library.


Madame Hummer at Home

Date produced: 1941

Filmmaker(s):

Emma L. Seely

Description:

"Birnam Wood has moved again, this time across the ocean from Dunsinane to Cleveland, where Mrs. Warner Seely dons evergreen branches to film Madame Hummer at Home. Thus concealed, Mrs. Seely has made a fascinating record of the life cycle of the hummingbird. Although a dual approach to a film is not generally advisable, she has managed to combine ornithological data with a great deal of human interest. While we are learning much about the habits of the hummingbird, we sense a spirit of friendliness and informality about the film which gives it a wide appeal. A charming introduction leads us from a bird book, out into the garden and finally to the well concealed nest of Madame Hummer. Reaction shots of two young girls discovering the nest and scenes of Mrs. Seely at work in her "elephant hideout," as she calls her camouflaged vantage point, add much to the interest. Verse titles, occasionally too ingenious to scan, contribute to the overall feeling of warmth in this nature picture." Movie Makers, Dec. 1941, 566.


Magic Mush

Date produced: 1941

Filmmaker(s):

Eric N. Unmack

Description:

"The plot of Magic Mush is one that is fairly familiar to movie makers. A youngster saves up enough of the coupons that come with a breakfast food to get a free magic set, complete with wand. It turns out that the magic wand actually works, and Sister and Brother make things appear and disappear to their hearts' content. The trick work involved is done by stopping the camera, removing some article from the scene, or adding one to it, and starting the camera again. To this familiar plot, Eric N. Unmack has added some clever ideas of his own. One amusing device is the return of a kitten, rescued from the limbo of magic; she comes floating down, tied to a small parachute. Other clever tricks and especially good acting make this a first class family reel. All of it is presented with uniformly excellent interior filming." Movie Makers, Dec. 1941, 566.


Magnificent Accident, The

Date produced: 1946

Filmmaker(s):

Raymond J. Berger

Description:

"In a relatively short period of filming, Raymond J. Berger has mastered a type of photoplay which a great many persons have expressed a desire to make, the story film featuring a child and a pet. His script, a simple and unpretentious recounting of how an invalid child wills herself to walk again, to go to the aid of her injured dog, proves an ideal vehicle for Mr. Berger's young daughter and her handsome collie, Lassie. This 8mm. Kodachrome picture, scored with re-recorded music, is noteworthy for its excellent framing and splendid closeups. Particularly engaging is the sequence, after the accident, showing the mutual recovery of the two stars. Young Miss Berger, considering the limited histrionic ability of a natural child, plays her role with grace and assurance; her crying scenes and the ingenuous frolics with Lassie are unusually credible and well performed. Mr. Berger deserves credit for his planning and fulfillment of a screen play that revolves around two such charming personalities." Movie Makers, Dec. 1946, 486.


Meshie, The Child of a Chimpanzee

Date produced: 1932

Filmmaker(s):

Henry Raven

Description:

"This film records, in the informal style of a home movie, some of a young chimpanzee's (Pan troglodytes) activities while raised in the Ravens' home. She plays with a hose, joins in games with the Raven children, manipulates tools, encounters snakes and mice, writes with a pencil, eats with a spoon, rides a tricycle, and feeds a human infant." University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries.


Total Pages: 17