"George Mesaros, who has demonstrated his competence as a maker of good movies in other fields, turns to humor in this film comment on wartime conditions. The point of the story — for it is the foray and not the tale that is pointless — turns on providing for a picnic in the yard of the home. While the master of the house is shopping with ration points, the skeptical family gets, from the Victory garden, cooks and eats the alfresco feast, at the end of which Father — who really did find something in the shops — returns with loaded arms. First class Kodachrome pictures and a well knit continuity are used by Mr. Mesaros to bring to American audiences something of the spirit of easy and natural outdoor fun with food that for so long characterized the Europe of happy memory. Some of the scenes of cooking are so realistic that one almost reaches for what is shown on the screen." Movie Makers, Dec. 1943, 478.
"One comes from a screening of Primitive Patzcuaro, by Ralph E. Gray, with an overwhelming impression of pure beauty. Here, in compositions which often echo the Old Masters in their warmth of color and satisfying balance, an amateur movie maker has turned his camera on the simple life about him and found it pleasing. One after another, the magnificent scenes and sequences bring from the spectator that involuntary expression of deep pleasure which is ambrosia even to the great of amateur movies. In Primitive Patzcuaro, Mr. Gray has portrayed, with leisure, the life of the Tarascan Indians, remote from civilization in a rarely visited section of Mexico. Although magnificent in its color studies, the film is abundant in human interest as well; in portions devoted to the bright native dances and religious ceremonies, it presents a series of tableaux that are breath taking in their effectiveness." Movie Makers, Dec. 1937, 626-627.
"Cheering crowds greet the Prince of Wales - later to be the uncrowned Edward VIII - as his car passes by. The crowds also turn out for the third World Scout Jamboree at Arrowe Park on the Wirral. With tens of thousands of scouts attending, the event commemorated the 21st birthday of the Scouting Movement and the publication of 'Scouting for Boys', so it became known as the Coming of Age Jamboree." (BFI Player)
"Shots from an upper story window in Parliament Street of the activity in the street below prior to the arrival of carriages carrying the royal family and bride on their way to Westminster Abbey, during the ceremony and as the carriages return, highlighting in particular the foggy day. Scenes include crowds outside 100 Parliament St; a procession of civilians with flags which marches in the direction of the Cenotaph; the activities of troops prior to the arrival of the royal procession; carriages carrying the royal family and emerge from the fog near the cenotaph, are filmed as they pass by and head towards Westminster Abbey in the fog; activities in the street after the processions have gone; crowds waving at carriages as they return; activities as crowds disperse from in front of the building opposite; film concludes with a procession of civilians with flags which marches from the direction of the Cenotaph" (EAFA Database).
"The 'prize winner' of the title of course was just a goat who had pulled down for its owner a ten-dollar bill as a prize at the county fair, a sum which its owner promptly had sunk in the nearest bucolic palace of chance. The committee disregarded any possessive tendencies of its own in the goat line and decided the entrant really did know his onions when it came to making pictures. But of course every one even on the fringe of the amateur world knows J. Kinney Moore is one of the tops among the amateurs." American Cinematographer, Jan. 1938, 28.
"It is a platitude that there is more in Mexico than meets the eye. In Quaint Old Mexico, however, Guy Nelli proves that there is far more in Mexico than usually meets the camera. Mr. Nelli presents the gradual awakening of Mexico, as the farmers drive their produce to market, with a startling sense of early morning atmosphere; market scenes are developed lucidly and effectively. The high peak of the film is reached with a most remarkable sequence of religious festival shots, as virtually an entire village re-enacts the Stations of the Cross. The intense religious emotion evident in these scenes has rarely been caught for the screen. Mr. Nelli's film is outstanding for its fresh approach and, above all, for the natural and casual quality of its shots." Movie Makers, Dec. 1946, 488.
"In the [‘Interest’] class [at the Era Challenge Cup competition] was entered a picture of such outstanding merit that the judges were hard put to make their final decision. This was submitted by a lady, who had chosen as her subject the R.A.F. Pageant. Here, again, the fact that the photographer could not choose a position of vantage, but had to be content with a place among the crowd, had to be taken into account. But in spite of difficulties, this entry can only be described as a poem of movement and high speed. The photographic quality is exceptional. The sky, most cunning toned down with filters, proves a scintillating background, strongly reminiscent of the best German photography. For an amateur this picture is really a little gem, with so much to recommend it that it secured a special award, which the judges decided to offer themselves" (Hill 1931: 7).
"Alan Probert has confined his study of Mexico to the primitive Otomi Indians. With startling clarity and a fine cinematic eye for detail, he presents the tribal group in a series of sketches that reveal the age old customs of their forefathers still in daily use — sowing and reaping, spinning and weaving, trading and worshipping. Remnants Of The Past is an expertly filmed factual account of the subject, which would have gained considerably from greater unity and a stronger ending." Movie Makers, Dec. 1948, 494.
"A couple dine in a restaurant. She is so busy with powdering her nose and correcting her lipstick that the "garçon" despairs of ever getting their order. In the end, her suitor orders water and razor to get his revenge." Library and Archives Canada.
"Documentary: On peasant farm life in Korea, the rice crop and family labor." National Archives.
"'Rice,' a three reel subject in the educational class entered by F. C. Ells of Yokohama, Japan, demonstrated a fine appreciation of production and photographic values as well as how to combine it so as to make entertainment. Many were of the opinion that this picture, if it were in 35mm, would be worthy of professional theatre presentation." American Cinematographer, Dec. 1933, 321.
Total Pages: 28
Amateur Cinema