Documentary News Letter (1947-1949)

120 DOCUMENTARY FILM NEWS Research & Films it has lately become apparent that a special Film Research Service is required to meet the needs of the variety of bodies — film units, academic institutions, charitable and educational trusts, business organizations and Government departments — connected with the documentary film, and interested in extending its work and influence. The Research Division at Film Centre has been established to meet this need and is now available to carry out sponsored research into all matters connected with films and visual aids. The facilities offered cover a wide field from the investigation of subjectmatter and the preparation of topic analyses to audience and distribution surveys at home and overseas, sociological investigations and historical research. Discussions are also beginning about the possibilities of making a comprehensive inquiry into the value of the film as an instrument of scientific research, particularly emphasizing the way in which it might assist the social scientist, giving to him what he lacks at the moment — a form of microscope and instrument of measurement. By centralizing background research for films, it will be possible to speed up the preparatory work necessary before a film can go into production, thus helping to make production as a whole more economical and more efficient. By studying existing films and maintaining proper catalogue records the Division will also be able to assist producers to avoid overlap and supply them with source material. In addition to outside commitments, the Division intends to undertake original research of its own, and to make what contribution it can in published form towards extending and deepening knowledge of the documentary film in the many fields with which it is associated. Hence it becomes an additional link between documentary films on the one hand and a whole variety of outside organizations amongst whom the universities will be a new, most important addition. FILMS PRODUCED IN SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER, 1948 TITLE UNIT No. of PRODUCER DIRECTOR REG. FOR DIS REELS QUOTA A. A. Action Merlin 3 reels Hankinson, M. Gunn, G. Adversis Major Blackheath .1 reel Cathles, R. No Airfield into Farmfield COI \ reel Re-edited from 'This is Britain' series Asdic Series, Two Films Basic 2 reels Baxter, R. Rhodes, J. No (Admiralty) Bernard Miles on Gundogs International Realist 2 reels Wright, B. Wright, B. Yes British Steel Data 1 reel Alexander, D. Thompson, T. Yes Crossroad Drill Blackheath 1 reel Cathles, R. No England's Wealth from Wool Basic 3 reels Baxter, R. Napier-Bell, J. Every Drop to Drink World Wide 2 reels Bond, R. Francis, M. Farm in Spring COI i reel Re-edited from 'This is Britain' series Farmer and the Goatherd Greenpark Re-edited from 'Cyprus is an Island' No Fishermans Yarn, A World Wide 2 reels Rotha, P. Holmes, J. Good Health World Wide 2 reels Carr. J. Dyment, C. Heating Research for Houses Crown 3 reels Taylor, J. Warren, E. Katsina Crown 1 reel Kelvin Hughes Marine Radar Basic 2 reels Baxter, R. Napier-Bell. J. King's Colours by the King to the RAF Pathe 1 reel Bay lis, P. Th. Major Power on the Land Pathe 3 reels Baylis, P. Lim. N-th Mining Review No. 2 Data 1 reel Alexander, D. Yes Mining Review No. 3 (Second Year) Data 1 reel Alexander, D. Yes Peaceful Years, The Pathe 6 reels Baylis, P. Yes Th. Probation Officer Data 4 reels Alexander, D. Holmes, J. No Plan to Work on, A Basic 3 reels Baxter, R. Mander, K. No Radar A A No. 1 Mark 6 Basic 2 reels Baxter, R. Sherman, J. No (Army) RAF Festival Reunion Pathe 1^ reels Baylis, P. N-th Rhondda and Wye Crown 2 reels Taylor, J. Welsh, D. Scottish Universities Data 2 reels Alexander, D. Gysin. F. Yes Spinning (Silent) Basic \\ reels Baxter. R. Napier-Bell. J. No Summer-Drought Island Greenpark Re-edited from 'Cyprus is an Island" No Summing Up No. 9 Pathe 1+ reels Baylis, P. Th. This is Britain No. 29 Merlin 1 reel Hankinson, M. „ „ „ No. 30 Merlin 1 reel Hankinson, M. „ „ „ No. 31 Merlin 1 reel Hankinson, M. Trained to Serve Crown 2 reels Taylor, J. Wallace. G. Tree of Wealth Crown 1 reel Re-edited from llm of same title madeb> Information Films India Tube Wells Crown 1 reel Re-edited from film of same title made b y Information Films India Weather and Sunspots COI i reel Re-edited from 'This is Britain' series Weaving (Silent) Basic \\ reels Baxter. R. Napier-Bell. J. No Work and Speed COI J reel Re-edited from 'This is Britain' series