"'Moods of Nature' by Paul Brunford, recently won a prize in the Institute of Amateur Cinematographers' contest in England. Not only does Brunford show a fine sense of rhythm, but a keen eye for composition and a splendid sense of cutting and dramatic values in nature. This picture merely deals with a storm arising and then subsiding. Brunford uses both water and earth to show this. The smashing waves, bending trees and waving wheatfields combine to create his drama. His photography however, is something for which he is to be especially congratulated." American Cinematographer, Jan. 1936, 24.
"'Red Clouds Rides Again,' the 8mm picture by Dr. Loscher which was given first prize, was based on a poem that dealt with the pioneers crossing the desert. Its main action had to do with a wagon train being attacked by Indians. The manner in which Dr. Loscher handled this sequence would have done credit to a studio production. With only one wagon, three horses and six people at his command, he made it look like a production employing more in the way of properties and talent. His angles, his composition and his cutting are things for every amateur to observe. His story could have easily become hackneyed by poor cutting and editing, but he kept it moving at a fine tempo." American Cinematographer, Jan. 1936, 24.
(Catalan): Film humorístic amateur, en el qual l'autor especula, irònicament, amb el significat literal dels diaris de l'època (1934), com per exemple, un presoner està llegint el diari LA LIBERTAD darrera de les reixes de la presó.
Film about the social impact of newspapers in the everyday life of the interwar period. It mixes fiction with documentary styles and warns against the political implication of mass media, especially in relation to their effect on workers, from a conservative perspective. [Description from the Filmoteca de Catalunya catalog]
"a soggetto"/fiction
Vita, regia di Enrico Parnigotto e Fernando De Marzi. L'azione del film ha luogo in un'officina, e la trama e imperniata sulla figura di un operaio la cui moglie attende di essere madre. Egli va al lavoro come ogni mattina ma appare piuttosto preoccupato fino a ehe gli giunge la notizia della nascita di un maschio e il direttore della azienda gli concede libera uscita. L'azione è narrata con molta semplicita, e pur procedendo in taluni punti con qualche incertezza, non manca di qualche inquadratura efficace.
Vita, directed by Enrico Parnigotto and Fernando De Marzi. The action of the film takes place in a workshop, and the plot hinges on the figure of a worker whose wife is waiting to be a mother. He goes to work as every morning but appears rather worried until he gets the news of the birth of a boy and the director of the company grants him leave. The action is narrated with much simplicity, and while proceeding at some points with some uncertainty, does not lack some effective framing.
—Il ventuno 26 (Review of the G.U.F. of Venice) March 1935
Filmmaker Émile Gallet plays dual roles in this film as a antique dealer offering a promotion for his store's thirteenth year, and a customer who attempts to cash in on the prize. The film is spliced in two to allow Gallet to perform against himself, and features hand-written intertitles in both French and English.
documentary
"In Ultima Thule and Peggy's Cove, produced by Edward A. Bollinger, ACL, and Mrs. Bollinger, one finds what must be the ultimate in beautiful scenic photography, magically infused throughout with a sensitive feeling for the relationship of ordinary people to their natural backgrounds. Beyond the veritable perfection of many of the scenes in these pictures it seems impossible for camera and film to go, even when guided by skill and imagination as superb as Mr. and Mrs. Bollinger's. Compositions, cutting and sequence structure are incisive and stirring, while the title wordings and execution leave little to be desired in suave good taste. The two subjects are first and last reels of a four reel study of Nova Scotia, in which, it is understood, Mr. Bollinger has done the camera work and his wife the editing and titling. It is a happy combination, from which have resulted documentary reels of magnificent skill and breathtaking beauty." Movie Makers, Dec. 1935, 550.
"In Birds of a Feather, Edmund Zacher, II, ACL, exhibits the patience and skill necessary to compile a complete story entirely with telephoto lenses. All the particular points which must needs be observed to make successful telephoto pictures — careful centering, sharp focusing and rigid camera support — are exhibited in this film, which is interesting withal, as it tells the story of a thrush family from the time the youngsters are hatched until the last laggard leaves the nest. Some scenes, which show the parent bird in closeup by means of telephoto magnification and in which the bird fills the entire frame, are truly remarkable. Good fortune gave Mr. Zacher the beautiful background of a flowering tree for this springtime idyll. A suitable musical background — compiled from discs — accompanies the film. Mr. Zacher made this picture entirely from a window in his home, and his patience and skill in capturing every needed shot are remarkable." Movie Makers, Dec. 1934, 534.
Total Pages: 299
Amateur Cinema