"More than 1,000 years ago there was founded in Flanders a hamlet called in Flemish Brug-ge but today known as Bruges. It is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe. Esther Cooke visits beautiful Bruges in the season of its celebration of the events of the crucifixion. The music rests like a benediction, leaving the town to its memories of a glorious past" PSA Journal, Nov. 1958, 46.
"In a land that abounds in colorful formations, Frank Gunnell's discerning camera has recorded in appealing detail the less usual, as well as the familiar, views of Bryce Canyon. This thorough coverage of a popular national park is enhanced by pleasant scenes of a pack trip, closeups of the darting antics of a chipmunk and a "running gag" of the hungry cameraman, whose equipment .cases carry edibles with film and filters. Bryce Canyon Trails provides the audience with a wholly entertaining tour of this famous and awesome natural wonder. Mr. Gunnell, as always, presents breath taking camera work in his integrated and admirable reproduction of a vast canvas." Movie Makers, Dec. 1947, 514.
"A most workmanlike travelog of the West is Bryce Canyon Wonderland, a Kodachrome accomplishment of Frank Gunnell. Even, careful exposures make the film a delight on the screen, while interesting touches portraying the personal angle provide the cinematic punctuation. Gorgeous color rendition obtained in this wonderland was the result of experience and good judgment. The use of a tripod for every shot, coupled with finished technique and a dramatic subject, accounts for this film's photographic excellence." Movie Makers, Dec. 1936, 549.
"Bulbs and Beauty reveals in painstaking detail the planting, cultivating and harvesting of gladioli in the vast fields surrounding the town of Momence in the state of Illinois. In this elaborate undertaking, Haven Trecker unfolds in well planned and profusely close-upped sequences the many colorful aspects of this popular plant in the life of flower-loving America. The harvesting sequence is followed by somewhat generous footage of a flower festival, the big annual affair in glad-minded Momence; and the festival in turn is followed by a seemingly endless parade in tribute to these bounteous blossoms. Bulbs and Beauty, accompanied agreeably by magnetic sound on film, appears to have been made for informative and record purposes. It fulfills these functions in a lively and competent manner." Movie Makers, Dec. 1952, 337, 339.
"Burano by the sea, fisherman mending their nets, life along and on the canal. A visit with times of old, fine embroidery, the cobbler, children quietly at play, the market, the village square and its grand architecture and bronze statuary. It is feeding time in the square for a zillion pigeons. Another gem of Esther's visits to Europe" PSA Journal, Nov. 1960, 41.
"Charles J. Ross found in Victoria, a land of generous rainfall and benign sunshine, where walks and pathways are lined with trees and flowers from distant places, where every path leads the visitor to new scenes of verdure and color; he is entranced and delighted at every turn. The imagination and planning of the landscape artists is his to enjoy without surfeit, so tasteful are their arrangements" PSA Journal, Nov. 1958, 46.
"By Sea To Florida, 400 ft., 16mm., made by Porter Varney of Bradenton, Fla., is a film record of a sea trip which derives its importance from the fact that the photography and choice of viewpoint are consistently exceptional. Parts of the ship, such as the rigging and cordage, the portholes, the lifeboat davits, etc., were used with rare artistry as aids to composition and effect. An expert use of filters produced exceptionally pleasing and truthful black and white rendition of the sea and the movement and sway of the ship. Continuity was effectually obtained by a shifting of the camera viewpoint, emphasizing the harbor, the high seas and the arrival in Florida. A startling climax to the film was given by a series of shots of an approaching hurricane captured by Mr. Varney 's intrepid camera." Movie Makers, Dec. 1931, 685.
"Esther Cooke showed intelligence and imagination in organizing the material of this travel study of Scotland, so that even the least observant should get from it a truly representative feeling of that doughty land. Well written titles serve as titles should, to infuse in the film pertinent data not shown in the scenes; technically, a less fussy style of title lettering would have been an improvement. Mrs. Cooke's slight camera unsteadiness in scenes of the King and Queen of England at the Scottish festival was understandable, for undoubtedly tripods were barred from that event. There were, however, a few other uneven shots that seemed to us questionable in value. Restrained use of bagpipe recordings highlight a generally effective musical score." Movie Makers, Dec. 1949, 469.
"With the recent scaling of Mt. Everest, it is appropriate that a mountain-climbing film should be entered — and should win — in this year's Ten Best contest. Jerry More's Canadian High Adventure is such a picture. Obviously, Mr. More is a competent climber himself, as well as being a good movie maker, for the film presents an amazing variety of camera angles which make one question where the cameraman must have been to take them. For example, some scenes show the climbers crossing a crevasse from underneath, leaving you with the single assumption that the cameraman climbed down into the crevasse to shoot them. Excellent photography, competent editing and a friendly, well-written narrative all combine to make Canadian High Adventure an outstanding mountain-climbing study." Movie Makers, Dec. 1953, 320, 332.
"Down the Colorado River from Hite to the junction of the San Juan River in Colorado, via a power boat. This is a camping, sightseeing adventure in the deep canyons of the river. We are acquainted with the preparations for this trip Along the scenic canyon way of picturesque land and rock formations we stop to search out some of the birds, lizards, flora, and other life of interest to the nature lover. The placid and rugged beauty of this area contains some of the old Indian caves. From one of the campsites we go by foot to the famous Rainbow Bridge, a natural arch span of more than 300 feet. Canyons unlimited is an inspiration to those who love adventure" PSA Journal, Oct. 1962, 34.
Total Pages: 36
Amateur Cinema