"Lovers of boats and devotees of movie making alike will probably never see enough of Rochester Race, produced by Walter F. Chappelle jr. in the summer of 1952. For this picture is one of the most complete and authentic records of big-league yacht racing that has been produced to date. For big league indeed was the 72 foot yawl Escapade, owned by Wendell Anderson of the Detroit Yacht Club and sailing as scratch boat in the Rochester point-to-point race westward to Hamilton, Ont., eastward to Stony Point Light, and then back to the Rochester inlet. And big league too was Mr. Chappelle's detailed coverage of this grind, as the proud beauty — with a crew of fourteen and 2630 square feet of working sail area — barreled through heavy seas, slatted and drifted in the calms — but came home by 38 seconds the winner. Working under difficult (and often dangerous) conditions, the producer nevertheless achieved a variety and quality of scenes which are amazing. His handling of side or back lighting, as a big Genoa or spinnaker jib arched out from the Escapade, creates many moments of breath-taking beauty. With Rochester Race Mr. Chappelle has proved beyond the cavil of superstitious yachtsmen that a fine movie may be made on a fine racing craft — and yet still win the race." Movie Makers, Dec. 1953, 332-333.
"Black-and-white home movie provides a tour of Rockefeller Center, including scenes of Mary Pickford and Buddy Rogers at a garden event." oldfilm.org
"After alighting at Langport East railway station and following a long walk, a young man and his fiance check into the Anchor Inn at Little Langport, noted for its fishing. The man's fixation with angling, his fiance's slow mastery of the technique and the romantic threat of an attractive, ace woman angler are the obstacles in their relationship. Humorous intertitles typify the era's social manners" (EAFA Database).
"Comprehensive record of the event at London's White City stadium, with U.K., U.S., and Commonwealth entrants. Cowboys and cowgirls, saddled and bareback-riding, bucking broncos, roping, steer riding and dangerous horseback acrobatics. Named riders - Hardy Murphy, Ted Elder and Homer the Rodeo Clown." (EAFA Database)
"In Rogge (meaning "rye"), G. J. Gast, jr., of Almelo, Holland, set out to make merely a record film of farm life in a community still committed to primitive farming methods. An ardent realist, he lived with his subject family for nearly a year before shooting his film, which was another full year in the making. An artistic cinematographer. he came up with something more than a record film. Exquisitely framed filter shots emphasize the contrasting values of light and shadow, giving the film a richly rewarding old-master quality. He achieved this by an understanding exploitation of the black and white medium. Unfortunately, his overzealous realism caused some of the interiors in Rogge to be very poorly lighted, detracting from the overall excellence of the film." Movie Makers, Dec. 1948, 495.
"Film opens with views of commercial apiaries, working along into close up of hive. Hive is opened, queen shown, also drones and workers. Handling and shipment of queens and workers. Macrophotos of workers gathering honey. Production of wax and comb, also honey. Water carriers and guards. Production of queen and brood. Novelty hat and beard fashions from bees. Operator takes mouth full of bees. Closes showing 2 young boys beekeeping and gathering their crop." Educational Film Guide, 1937 Edition, 54.
"Bert Seckendorf is at his best documenting interesting places and events of this land of ours, and in editing and titling such films to impart sustaining interest on the screen. In 'Romance of Gloucester' he has focused his camera on both the interesting places and much of the contemporary life of Gloucester. His discerning lens brings satisfying multi-scene sequences of activities of Gloucester natives, instead of the one-shot treatment so often accorded such material by the uninitiated cine filmer. Result is, one experiences something in viewing this picture on the screen. Seckendorf's photography is clear-cut, discerning, and shows good taste in composition." American Cinematographer, May 1952, 222.
Total Pages: 295
Amateur Cinema