Kinematograph year book (1944)

84 The Kinematograph Year Book. T. R. Thumwood, in charge of the Cartoon and animation department, has kept up a remarkable output of high quality work in training films. Jimmy Rogers, camerman-director, has turned out several brilliant jobs. Others who have contributed to the Company's successes in 1943 are W. H. Williams (production manager), H. Watson (art director), E. W. Beckett, A, Travers, C. Miller, C. Tasto, C. Mason, J. Saward, Mary Benedetta, Geo. Cooper and T. Phelan. British Films, Ltd.— Whilst the film unit of the company has continued to be fully occupied with production for the Air Ministry, the company is conducting a nation-wide campaign in the exhibition of specially produced sound films to encourage War Savings on behalf of the National Savings Committee. The films are 16 mm., projected through the latest arc-equipment (rear projection), and are shown by a large fleet of daylight Mobile Talking Kinemas. Films Of Great Britain, Ltd. — Each year the company has been in existence its output has increased. Last year Andrew Buchanan's organisation produced a large number of subjects — -in Arabic, Persian, Russian, Portugese, and Spanish for the Ministry of Information. Other Government Departments for whom they have produced have been the Ministries of Agriculture and Food, Board of Trade, the Admiralty, and the British Council. Plans have been completed for the further expansion of the firm's activities, which are designed to cater, not only for the immediate future, but for the period when hostilities cease. Ealing. — -O. H. Cornelius, famous South African director, has joined Ealing Studios to make a series of semi-documentary films. The first will deal with the ballet, the script for which has been written by Mrs. D. Langley Moore, author of the ballet " The Quest," which is part of the Sadlers Wells repertory. The ballet film will tend to show the development of a dancer against a background of world events, with special reference to the history of ballet and the recent general increase in its popularity. It is hoped that the film will contribute to a wider public appreciation of the difficulties existing in the intricate processes of creating this delightful form of entertainment. " Painted Boats," a story of the canals of Britain, forms the subject of the second documentary. The original screen play has been written by Stephen Black, cowriter of " The Bells Go Down." The third in this documentary series is tentatively called " A Film of a Film," which will take the public behind the scenes of film-making. B.S. Productions. — -Under the direction of Paul Barralet, this old established firm of short film producers has considerably extended. In two successful four-reelers — -"The Pinnacle of Fame" and "I Want to be an Actress" — the vast possibilities have been exploited of blending acted sequences with scenes of actuality. Several important two-reelers have been produced for Government departments "and a number of other subjects are scheduled. A post-war programme of feature films is in preparation by Paul Barralet and Granville Squiers. Concanen Recordings, Ltd. — -Derrick de Marney is carrying out a big programme of documentary shorts for both the Ministry of Information and the Polish Government. The Company has also been doing extensive research work on an important post-war subject. Mr. de Marney plans at least one other feature film during 1944. Verity Films, Ltd. — During the past few years Verity have so expanded its activities that it is recognised as the largest short-film producer in Europe. Recently Donald F. Taylor, formerly of Strand, joined up with Sidney Box ; his new unit is known as Gryphon films ; other units associated with Verity are Gieenpark and Technique. During the past year one short film every week has been produced for one or another of the several Government departments who have commissioned product,