Fiction film that can be inscribed in the tradition of the “mountain films” that were relatively popular at the time in Europe. It is one of the best filmed fiction films of the amateur movement, with interesting camera movements.
"Telemark, filmed in the Swiss Alps by William G. McKelvy, ACL, is, as its name suggests, a skiing picture. However, it is more than that — it is also a very delightful and neatly plotted comedy that is the more convincing for being uncomplicated with the usual subsidiary plot and counter plot. Four or five youths who are expert skiers, one who is a novice, and a girl are at the beginning of a down mountain ski trail. The girl offers a kiss to the boy who can catch her. She tarts off, the able skiers follow hard on her trail, while the beginner stumbles and lags far behind. But the girl decides to trick her pursuers and hides on the way. The ending is obvious. The picture was exquisitely planned and sequenced for, as the camera follows the skiers down the mountain, there is complete smoothness in the shift of viewpoints. The action is made the occasion of splendid studies, as the boys on the run swerve and turn in stems, Christianias and Telemarks. Mr. McKelvy did not neglect to select charming compositions and to take full advantage of clear air and the contrast between the dark figures and trees and the white snow." Movie Makers, Dec. 1933, 500.
"Effective film transitions spark an interesting story of a trip to Texas. The narration indicates careful preliminary research into the geology, history, economic and social conditions of this state." PSA Journal, Dec. 1955, 37.
"Sweeping in its conception, stirring in its execution, Then Came the King is a vivid and beautiful epic of honest patriotism. In it, Earl L. Clark has examined the Western way of life, and he has found it good. With elaborate but never exhausting detail, the film traces the history of Canada — and more briefly her American neighbor — from 1800 to the present day. Then, in a world challenged by war and a Canada accused of waning fealty to the Empire, Then Came the King pictures with a magnificent climax the deep and unfaltering affection in which a loyal people hold their rulers. People of all classes and occupations are shown saluting Their Majesties. Sensitively planned and superbly titled, the film very definitely has something to say — and says it with distinction. Viewpoint after viewpoint strikes sensuously on the eye as exactly right for the effect desired. Sequence after sequence marches down the screen with the brave and stirring rhythms of epic poetry. On a few occasions, Mr. Clark's striking imagination has outstripped his straining technical skill, but. from his first frame to his last, the work is stamped unerringly with a fresh and genuine creative spirit." Movie Makers, Dec. 1939, 632.
"They Brought India With Them is the story of many of the natives of India who have moved to South Africa to make their home. This film points out that they didn't take to So. African ways as much as they brought their own ways and customs with them" PSA Journal, Aug. 1967, 37.
"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
"Edward F. Cross covered an extensive territory of national parks and vacation spots in the Southwest and Western sectors of the United States and has brought back an attractively filmed record of his tour. Unique rock formations have been pictured from well chosen vantage points to make the most of light and shadow. This Land of Ours is climaxed by particularly colorful units in a rodeo's grand parade and a dexterous camera handling of Indian dances. A full narrative indicates careful research to supplement the scenes on the screen." Movie Makers, Dec. 1947, 539.
"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.
"Three of Everything, the winner in Class C, is a cross section view of the advantages, equipment and materials the junior high school student finds today in a modern educational institution. Filmed at Mr. Gleason Junior High School in Sunland, Calif., the film depicts the print shop, the wood shop, the metal shop, the foundry, physical education, cooking classes, math and science, and finally graduation. With so much to assist his learning years, the film rightfully concludes that each student has, indeed, had three years of everything" PSA Journal, Sept. 1965, 51.
"Tierra de los Incas by Dorothy Ruth Orr, M.D. and Othel G. Goff, APSA, both PSA members of San Francisco, Calif. Dottie and Ot have made a beautiful film on this remote South American civilization of centuries ago. This 16-minute 16mm film was awarded a Ten Best Medal and the Travel Film Award" PSA Journal, Nov. 1971, 42.
Total Pages: 36
Amateur Cinema