"'Overdose,' filmed by Francis J. Barrett, of Seattle, Washington, is an expertly photographed dramatic photoplaylet, done in 8mm. black and white. The story concerns two young men sharing a room together. One, a writer is upset by annoying tactics of other who, sensing this, plans to put his friend out of his misery. He brings him a cup of coffee to which he has added sleeping tablets. A fight ensues and the other strikes his benefactor down with an ashtray. It is then he discovers the sleeping pills are not fatal. The plot is simple, but the acting is expert, and complemented by the dramatic low-key lighting and highly effective camera handling, presents a very professional bit of cinematic artistry. Barrett used a Bell & Howell 8mm. 'Sportster' camera and Ansco Hypan film." American Cinematographer, Apr. 1950, 134.
"'Cup of Fear' produced and entered by the Stamford (Connecticut) Cinema Club and photographed by John Harms, is a well directed, acted and photographed 'whodunit' in which one of several office employees who have been passed up in a company promotion, murders the hapless executive promoted to the vice-presidency. A cup of wine, antidote for poison supposedly fed the murderer at a dinner, proves his undoing. All shots are interiors and save for one or two, are excellently lighted and photographed. Many professional touches, such as dolly shots, dramatic camera angles, and story-telling closeups highlight the picture. Harms used a 16 mm. Bolex camera and Kodak Super-X panchromatic film." American Cinematographer, Apr. 1950, 146.
"Florida's colorful Seminole Indians, who never have taken kindly to the white man's rule, generally are no more responsive to visiting filmers. Thus it is a rare and rewarding pleasure when an understanding amateur cameraman gains both their confidence and their cooperation. Such is the stimulating accomplishment of Elmer W. Albinson in his picture called simply Seminole Indians. Among the film's outstanding achievements are its detailed studies of the Indians' arts and crafts, its exceptional work in ultra closeups, and its pictorial probing of the Indian character and customs. An extraordinarily good musical score enhances the appeal of this informative ethnic documentary. The picture needs, however, a somewhat stronger ending, the present one impressing these reviewers as artistically indecisive." Movie Makers, Dec. 1950, 466.
"'Navajoland' entered by Richard V. Thiriot, of Salt Lake City, is a travelogue on that part of the great Southwest where dwell the dwindling and not-to-well-off Navajos. Thiriot has caught the beauty of this colorful country with his camera and Kodachrome film, and concludes the picture with intimate shots of some of the Indians who inhabit Navajoland. Had Thiriot been able to schedule his filming during the stormy weather season and thus been able to capture the colorful skies abounding in Navajoland at that time of the year, his photography would have greater pictorial interest, highly neccesary where subject material is predominantly static. Thiriot used a Filmo 70-DA and Kodachrome film." American Cinematographer, Apr. 1950, 145.
A film with the artist Morris Blackburn as its subject.
"Cincinnati Movie Club is producing a motion picture glamorizing the nursing profession. Had it been done for the hospitals by commercial professionals, the production would have cost more than $25,000. The film, 'Deed To Happiness,' is designed to promote interest in nursing among high school girls and alleviate the shortage of nurses in hospitals of Greater Cincinnati and Southwestern Ohio. Prints of the full color motion picture, with narration by Howard Chamberlain of VLW, are to be sold at cost to Cincinnati hospitals and screened in high schools." The Cincinnati Inquirer, May 22, 1949, 95.
Total Pages: 299
Amateur Cinema