"With a sensitive feeling for nature's changing patterns, even in her least productive season, Herman E. Dow has captured the flavor and beauty of New England's quiet countryside in Woods and Waters of Winterland. Closeups of streams trickling through icebound banks and selective compositions of snow-laden boughs and bleak branches contribute to the overall theme of a pleasant scenic study. A musical accompaniment for the film is well chosen and recorded." Movie Makers, Dec. 1952, 341.
"Work of Nature–in Florida takes us to this tropical state for a glimpse of many forms of wild life including the ever present alligator and the night prowling raccoon, but mostly this is a film about bird life. We see good glimpses of the snowy egret, the wood duck, night heron, hawk, wood stork, cormorant, little blue heron, grackle, macaw, cockatoo, peacocks and many others. A good narration, well delivered and full of factual information, keeps this film moving. It was winner of the MPD Nature Film Award" PSA Journal, Sept. 1964, 50.
"Work of Nature–The Micro-Aquatic Realm takes us to the Appalachian mountain region of the United States where, in not more than 18 inches of water, and at times aided by a microscope, we meet soft water snails, flatworms, protozoan organisms of one cell and multi-cell, small flies, water skimming spiders, one of over 700 species of fresh water mites less than 1/10 of an inch in length, cyclops 1/15 of an inch, and a little crab scarcely 1/25 of an inch" PSA Journal, Sept. 1965, 50.
Produced by Pyramid Films, the film was originally shown on the Smothers brothers comedy hour television program and is a kinestasis film using kaleidoscopic views of still pictures to summarize the year 1968 (Archive.org).
"The World's People, production of Edmund Zacher, II, ACL, and Herbert Johnson, ACL, with musical accompaniment and incidental sound effects by the record and double turntable method and with a narrative presented by Mr. Johnson through the sound system, offers a combination of visual and aural entertainment that is marked by a finish and perfection in cinematography and an interest and liveliness in accompaniment. The film describes a visit to the Century of Progress exposition in Chicago, featuring as its theme the many races and nations of the world represented there. The cinematography of Messrs. Zacher and Johnson is effortless and of uniformly high standard, is playing with intelligent restraint the effects used by professional cameramen. The combination of long shots, medium views and closeups leaves no beholder unsatisfied in any scene presented. There is a decidedly human character in the whole footage and the people are never overshadowed by architecture or machinery. In one place, two somewhat indignant ladies are seen in vigorous and disapproving conversation, for example, yet they are entirely unconscious actors. In continuity planning and execution, in cinematographic perfection and in a satisfying and informing use of excellent narrative, music and sound effects, The World's People sets a high standard in starting out to do a thing and doing it with sureness and real success." Movie Makers, Dec. 1934, 546.
"Y West Side, the joint production of Robert Coles, ACL, who directed the film, and Charles Coles and Edwin Schwarz, ACL, who photographed it, is a very successful publicity picture for the West Side Y. M. C. A. in New York City. Starting with the social and dormitory facilities of the "Y," the film carries the audience on a tour of gymnasiums, special exercise rooms, roof courts and pools. The abundance of athletic and exercise equipment is shown clearly in sequences of their use, and the carefully planned action throughout the picture maintains interest and continuity. This film is distinguished by excellent photography and by the successful solution of the innumerable problems in handling large scale interiors and group action. Ingenious adaptations of games and exercises were sometimes required in order to fit the scene to the camera field, determined by the exigencies of the space available. The talents of the three producers were so integrated as to make the enterprise an outstanding success." Movie Makers, Dec. 1935, 555.
"Yellowstone by Jack W. Ruddell, FPSA, of Islington, Ontario, Canada. Jack put his past prize winning talents to good work on this beautifully done travel film. This 10 minute 16mm film was awarded an Honorable Mention" PSA Journal, Nov. 1970, 38.
"Filming Yosemite National Park with the same refreshing wit that has made his earlier movie on the Utah parks so popular, Stanley Midgley has even surpassed his previous camera work with spectacular angle shots of the famous waterfalls and brilliantly planned pans which heighten the grandeur of this great glacial valley. In the lighter vein, a fast motion sequence of tourist posturings before the Sequoia trees provides some side splitting satire, while the magnificence of the firefall, the High Country and the mirror like lakes is emphasized by imaginative framing. Always the trail blazer, Mr. Midgley scaled Half Dome with his camera; in other sequences, he apparently conspired with an eagle to get some of the dizzier shots of sheer cliffs and precipitous falls. Yosemite on Two Wheels — and Two Feet is a rare blend of humor and technical skill, an artistic achievement that sets a new high in national park filming." Movie Makers, Dec. 1947, 534.
Total Pages: 22
Amateur Cinema