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Image from Movie Makers, Dec. 1939, 606.

Date produced: 1939

Filmmaker(s):

T. J. Courtney

Languages:

English

Length:

400 ft

Format:

16mm

Colour:

Kodachrome

Sound Notes:

Silent

Awards/Recognition:

ACL Ten Best 1939 - General Class

Description:

"What we have all wished a newsreel presentation of an important event could be has at last been brought to actuality by T. J. Courtney in his fine Kodachrome film Royal Visit — Halifax 1939. Let us hasten to add, also, that this film, besides being the apotheosis of the newsreel presents a carefully connected story of the events of the long anticipated day of the Royal visit in his city. Chiefly outstanding is the skillful and always appropriate use of closeups and atmosphere shots made with great care before, during and after the event and cut in with real skill to heighten the effect. But, most of all, the film is remarkable for its pace and sincere interpretation of public feeling; the early preparations for the Royal visit; the breathless expectation; the high enthusiasm at the time of Their Majesties' appearance, the promise of long remembrance at their departure — all these are clearly shown by Mr. Courtney's cinematic commentary. The complications that must have confronted him on this exciting day must be considered in our approval, too. He succeeded admirably in picturing the general excitement and enthusiasm, but at no time did his camera desert its steady support and accurate framing of the principal subject. The natural, close shots of the King and Queen are unsurpassed." Movie Makers, Dec. 1939, 632.

Resources:

The film is also referred to as Royal Visit, Halifax. The film was available in the ACL's Club Film Library.

Locations:

  • Halifax, Nova Scotia (Filming)

Subjects:

Genre:

Form:

Tags:

Screenings:

  • Screened at a Famous Players Canadian Corp. convention 1939: Niagara Falls, ON
  • Screened by the Halifax Cinema Club in 1940: Halifax, NS
  • Screened by the Rockford Amateur Movie Club in 1940: Rockford, IL
  • Screened by the Norfolk Amateur Movie Club in 1940: Norfolk, VA
  • Screened by the Amateur Motion Picture Club of St. Louis in 1940: St. Louis, MO
  • Screened by the Wichita Amateur Movie Club in 1940: Wichita, KS
  • Screened by the Tulsa Am-Mo Club in 1941: Tulsa, OK
  • Screened by the Indianapolis Amateur Movie Club in 1941: Indianapolis, IN
  • Screened by the Lowell Amateur Cinema Club in 1941: Lowell, MA
  • Screened by the Movie Makers Club of Oklahoma City in 1942: Oklahoma City, OK
  • Screened by the Utah Cine Arts Club in 1944: Salt Lake City, UT
  • Screened by the Taft Cinema Club in 1949: The Bronx, N.Y.
  • Screened by the Hartford Cinema Club in 1953: Hartford, CT

Do you know where this film is? Get in touch with us at amdb@ucalgary.ca.