BEST AMATEUR FILMS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27472, 5 October 1954, Page 14

BEST AMATEUR FILMS

SEVEN AWARD-WINNERS SCREENED Seven of the best films of the year, as selected by the English magazine ‘Amateur Cine World” in 1951, were screened to a large audience by the Christchurch Movie Club last evening. Three of the films were documentaries, but diversity was afforded by a cartoon, a comedy, a family episode, and a study of a blind man’s world. To encourage the making of good amateur films, the * ‘Amateur Cine World” organises annually a competition for the 10 best films of the year, rhe magazine circulates widely, mainly in British countries. Silver plaques and cash awards amounting to £l6O are given for the best films from an entry of many hundreds. Some of the films shown last evening represented the work of only one person, who did all the planning, shooting and assembling himself. Others were the co-operative effort of amateur erne clubs. Most of the films were about 700 feet long. A coloured film record by W. Martin, entitled ‘‘A Day with Looe Sailing Club.” opened the programme. The maker of this film combined his two hobbies, sailing and movie making. to produce a good film, as he was thoroughly familiar with both the subject and the way in which to present it on the screen. “Portrait of Wycombe” was a surBuckinghamshire town of 40,000 inhabitants, made by the High Wycombe Film Society in the year of the Festival of Britain. The town was not treated as a memorial or a museum but as a living thing. As well as indicating the amenities and services of the town, the producers showed the work, play and leisure of the people. The film has a pleasantly restrained coipmentary, and the camera work is bold and to the point, with plenty of movement. “The Millstream.” an animated colour cartoon by the Ashley Film Unit, was produced by the same methods as commercial productions. The story and the art work are worthy of the highest praise, this being one of the best amateur cartoons yet produced. AD the art work was undertaken by 22-year-°j J o * lll Dtaborn, who works in an advertising agency. Although the film lasts only four minutes, 2000 drawings were required for it, and it took 15 months to make.

By the adroit use of that natural comedian, the poodle pup with funny legs the coloured family film, “A Dog s Life,” by Lewis Webley, is sure to bring laughter wherever it is shown. The rearing of Mr Webley’s four children forms the basis of his film work, and with this cast plus a spaniel, two miniature poodles, and occasionally a utter of puppies, he has no trouble in finding willing actors. “Student of Heidelberg ’’ an impression by the Cambridge Film Society, was a mature attempt to portray a serious subject. With such a romantic and historic background as the university town of Heidelberg, this film could have degenerated into a.conven-. tional record, but the town has been k A e Pt as a background to the life of the students. The film relies heavily on its graphic but discreet sound-track. ‘‘Never a Cross Word,” a comedy by the Sale Cine Society, is an amateur comedy that is really funny. The story is natural and probable, the casting is superb, and the direction is quiet and competent. The continuity is commendable, and the standard of photography very high. The story was conceived by the leading player, Alan Coombes. a bank manager, whose acting in this silent film was outstanding. “Head in Shadow” was a powerful study seeking to penetrate* a blind man’s sombre world. It did not wholly succeed, possibly because of the film maker’s lack of experience of life, but it was a remarkably expressive attempt. The contrast between the sightless beggar and the people whose life ineffectually brushed his for a few brief interludes was aptly pointed by very good acting and camera work.