"the first talking film ever made by amateurs and exhibited publicly. The film is a sincere attempt to make a thriller of the popular kind. Its producers… ask it to be accepted as such, and stress the fact that it has no pretensions to art. They would also have you bear in mind the fact that the film was made by eleven London amateurs, who had never played in a film before, and that they total resources were £20… it is interesting to note that the hero of “Shadows of Limehouse” applied for, and obtained, the part created by Owen Nares in “The Middle Watch”, and that he is now on tour with that production" (M.A.L.B. 1931: 7).
"This amateur society [Apex Motion Pictures], the oldest in London, made and publicly exhibited the first amateur talkie in England (and, it is believed, the world). That was in January 1930 when, before an audience which included Mabel Poulton, John Stuart, and other famous British stars. “Shadows of Limehouse”, a film of thrills introducing the Flying Squad, has since been cut for silent showing by other groups and is still being exhibited. When it was shown recently in aid of Tunbridge Wells Hospital, a local cinema proprietor asked the organisers to take it out of the programme in order to give his show a chance of doing some business!" (Anon 1932: 108).
"Shadow's Bones is all about Frank E. Gunnell's cocker spaniel, Shadow, and his annoying habit, common to most dogs, of leaving bones in all manner of places, where bones should not be, such as bath tubs, magazine racks, beds and other localities which are not really canine cupboards. With brilliantly accomplished black and white 16mm. cinematography, Mr. and Mrs. Gunnell, as cameraman and "support" for the chief actor, Shadow, have done what is still too rare in home movies — they have found the humor of home life, and of themselves as a part of it. The plan of this tale is simple, direct and is provided with a genial finish. The direction and acting, especially in persuading the recently acquired household pet to go through his part of the performance with naturalness and zest, are excellent. This sets a new mark in interest that can be given to family records, and the interior lighting is beyond criticism." Movie Makers, Dec. 1938, 620.
"Produced by Bea McKinney, “A Sexual Product” is a short amateur film featuring stop-motion animation. McKinney, who taught filmmaking at King High School in Corpus Christi, made the film while studying at the Center for Understanding Media in New York in July 1972" Texas Archive of the Moving Image.
"Filmed by Norman McLaren and Willie J. MacLean, [Seven Till Five] shows a day in the life of the Glasgow School of Art." National Library of Scotland Moving Image Archive.
The film received the "Sound Award for the most effective use of sound, and the new MPD Documentary Film Award which is being given for the first time this year. The film might be described as a re-created or dramatized documentary and depicts the early life of the settlers who tilled the soil and made a living over a century ago. In the film we meet Will and Maggie McLeod who have just purchased a farm and are returning in their covered wagon from an auction sale where they have purchased several belongings for their new home. Will McLeod was a ship builder in Nova Scotia, but when that industry died down he decided to migrate westward. This film is their story and shows the struggles they encountered and depicts their way of life in those early days. Excellent photography and excellent editing, coupled with good pacing - all of which are typical Ruddell trademarks - blend well together to this top award film" PSA Journal, Sept. 1965, 50.
The film is also known as The Settlers: Early Pioneer Farmers of the Great Lakes Region.
Un pequeño niño llamado Sergio hace una lista de regalos que desea, en la que incluye un traje de soldado, una metralleta y otras armas. Después Sergio tiene un sueño en el que es un soldado explorando el campo y divirtiéndose con sus armas; el sueño se transforma en pesadilla cuando ve a su familia muerta y cubierta de sangre. Sergio llora y besa a sus familiares muertos para después tirar su metralleta de juguete cubierta de sangre. Después despierta asustado y destruye su lista de deseos.
A little boy named Sergio makes a wish list of gifts that include a soldier suit, a machine gun and other weapons. He then has a dream of himself as a soldier exploring the country and having fun with his guns; the dream turns into a nightmare when he sees his family dead and covered in blood. He cries and kisses the dead members of his family and finally he throws away his toy machine gun covered in blood. Sergio wakes up scared and destroys his wish list.
"September Peace, Robert P. Kehoe will tell you, is a film which not only made itself but named itself. It is, patently, a product of this world at war, the unconscious reaction of a sensitive spirit too long abraded by the rough edges of conflict. In it, Mr. Kehoe has found again the lyric loveliness of field and flower, the beneficent sturdiness of great trees, the warmth and beauty of the slanting sunlight. Unusually effective scoring plays its part in creating this moving attestation to the joys of peace." Movie Makers, Dec. 1943, 478.
A group of families takes separate vacations – the husbands go fishing, while the wives and children choose to hold a picnic. Both vacationing groups encounter obstacles that disrupt their plans.
""We were among twenty teams, all wearing our glamour suits for this event, as we marched up the beach together." Before the parade there were rehearsals with rope carriage, simulated rescue missions, and resuscitations, going through all the motions of practice. Then came the big event when the teams were in competition, each excited with the ambition and hope of winning, the judges noting every point in favor or against. A sporting day at the beach among the contestants and the spectators. "We didn't win but we were there as a team" is a sporting conclusion" PSA Journal, Nov. 1959, 47.
Total Pages: 299
Amateur Cinema