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Production still from the making of Not One Word. Movie Makers, Jan. 1935, 17.

Date produced: 1934

Filmmaker(s):

Kenneth F. Space

Ghex Foster

Production credits:

Languages:

English

Length:

1 reel (480 ft)

Format:

16mm

Colour:

B&W

Sound Notes:

Silent

Awards/Recognition:

ACL Ten Best 1934

Description:

"Not One Word, by Kenneth F. Space, ACL, is an all around triumph of amateur photoplay production. It is a simple melodrama of the keeper of a lighthouse, his wife and the rejected suitor who returns. A wreck at sea (beautifully staged in miniature) is the complicating dramatic factor, and, with these ingredients, a dignified motion picture story of remarkable unity has been produced. In it, Mr. Space and his able staff have blended dramatic lighting, authentic settings and superb photography to achieve a distinguished whole. Under restrained but smoothly paced direction, the three leading players have enacted their roles with definite histrionic skill. If one were to try to select a single quality in the film which is outstandingly brilliant, the vote of this observer would be cast for the cutting. It is accurate and incisive, adding that last bit of dramatic "punch" which is perhaps the quality least often achieved by the amateur producer. Not One Word speaks for itself, but in the wordless and potent idiom of cinematic imagination." Movie Makers, Dec. 1934, 534.

Resources:

Discussed by Kenneth F. Space in "Producing the Plot" (Movie Makers, Jan. 1935, 17, 34-37).
From the article: "Entire time spent on production—four months. Actual time in rehearsals and filming—three weeks. Film exposed—1750 feet. Length of finished picture—480 feet. Film used—panchromatic reversal. Photoflood bulbs burned out—43. Lighting units—4. Cost—approximately $125" (37).

Movie Makers (Nov. 1934, 468) lists production credits for the film.

The film was available in the ACL's Club Film Library.

Locations:

  • Binghamton, N.Y. (Filming)
  • Barnegat Light, N.J. (Filming)

Subjects:

Genre:

Form:

Screenings:

  • Screened by the Hartford Cinema Club in 1935: Hartford, CT
  • Screened by the Movie Group of the Telephone Camera Club of Manhattan in 1935: Manhattan, N.Y.
  • Screened by the Amateur Cinema Club of Buffalo in 1935: Buffalo, N.Y.
  • Screened by the Toronto Amateur Movie Club in 1935: Toronto, ON
  • Screened by Arthur L. Gale at a presentation at New York University in 1935: New York City, N.Y.
  • Screened by the Detroit Society of Cinematographers in 1936: Detroit, MI
  • Screened by the Medford Movie Makers in 1936: Medford, OR
  • Screened by the Y.M.C.A. Movie and Camera Club in 1936: Des Moines, IA
  • Screened by the Metropolitan Motion Picture Club in 1938: New York City, N.Y.
  • Screened by the Davenport Cinema Club in 1938: Davenport, IA
  • Screened by the Bay Empire 8mm. Move Club in 1938 : Oakland, CA
  • Screened by the Flint Amateur Movie Club in 1938: Flint, MI
  • Screened by the New Castle Cinema Club in 1941: New Castle, IN
  • Screened by the Amateur Motion Picture Club of St. Louis in 1941: St. Louis, MO
  • Screened by the Tulsa Am-Mo Club in 1941: Tulsa, OK
  • Screened by Kenneth F. Space at the Seventh Annual Alumni Dinner Dancfe of Ridley Secretarial School at the Arlington Hotel on June 29, 1946 : New York City, N.Y.
  • Screened by Kenneth F. Space at the Binghamton Civic Club in February 1947: Binghamton, N.Y.