American cinematographer (Jan-Dec 1946)

WORLD-WIDE DOCUMENTARY FILMS PAST ^ PRESENT FUTURE OF the many services utilized for behind-the-front prosecution of the war, the documentary film stands out as a most important factor in the achievement of ultimate victory. Experi¬ ences of virtually all of the Allied na¬ tions with the documentaries resulted in generating utmost cooperation of the home fronts for maximum efforts to pro¬ vide the men on the battle lines with the necessary supplies and equipment. But what of the future, and the place of documentaries in peacetime? There is no doubt but what the documentary will take a position equal in importance to the printed word for informative dissem¬ ination of important subjects of national concern and interest in all countries of the world. Government Control of Documentaries At this point, it appears that docu¬ mentaries will be encouraged, subsidized, or produced outright in the various coun¬ tries by the governments themselves. They will generate political thinking along the lines of the individual govern¬ ments — which naturally will only spon¬ sor subjects in line with the parties in power. But more important, if generally instituted, will be instructional documen¬ taries aimed at various groups within the country to increase the production efficiency and way of life of various sec¬ tors of the population. This is especially true of agriculture, where the United States, Great Britain, and Canada, for example, have found instructional docu¬ mentaries to be more informative to farmers for material increase of the land’s productivity; better use of me¬ chanical equipment; rotation of crops; etc. But wartime experience has demon¬ strated that a specific phase of a subject can be best covered in a maximum of four reels. In fact, the documentary or instructional films have been found to give maximum results for sustained in¬ terest in about two-reel footage per sub¬ ject, and later can be fully covered vis¬ ually better than 100 pages of instruc¬ tions in printed form. Wide Opportunities for Cameramen The post-war expansion of documen¬ tary production by various nations will provide expanding opportunities for cine¬ matographers, both professional and advanced amateur. The latter can very easily swing over to a life job in a field for which they have enthusiasm. Espe¬ cially in Great Britain and the United States, many of the men trained in serv¬ ice photographic units will readily find opportunities in the documentary fields rather than the present crowded camera crafts of studio production. Industry Report Indications of the extent to which the documentary films will be utilized in peacetime are contained in a symposium bulletin from the offices of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America. It states: Out of the war years — when informa¬ tion was a vital necessity to men in uni¬ form and to the people at home — there has come a universal interest in the use of documentary films. Great Britain, the United States and Russia called in their best available talent to make documen¬ tary visualizations of the war. Inspired by the genius of such men as John Ford, William Wyler, John Huston, and Frank Capra, came the well-remembered “Bat¬ tle of Midway,” “The Memphis Belle,” “Fighting Lady,” and that excellent series, “Why We Fight.” From Britain, beginning with “Target For Tonight” and including, among the most recent, “Western Approaches,” came a fine succession of factual films portraying the beleaguered home front and the fighting abroad. Millions of feet of film were shot to make these docu¬ mentaries. Some were edited into feature pictures (“The Way Ahead,” “The True Glory,” and others); some were brief messages flashed on the screen to teach the armed forces and civilians the surest way of survival. Today, the equally ur¬ gent need is to teach people to get along with each other. How shall it be done ? Where the emphasis? Comments by Disney and Grierson Walt Disney, asked to say what part motion pictures can play in the postwar program, replied: “It is easier to create experts than to make good human beings. I believe the main concern should be to emphasize the well-integrated life.” And from John Grierson, former Film Com¬ missioner for Canada: “The ends men seek are identical and simple and con¬ crete, whether they come black, white or yellow. They are concerned with food, health and housing and the other highly visible evidences of the good life. I have no doubt that when these are fought for and secured, the invisible aspects of the good life — whatever these may be — will come to inhabit the edifice we have built. In the meantime, it is in the fulfillment of actual and visible needs that we shall find the basis of a common philosophy and the only one in which the peoples of the world will any longer trust. In this progressive struggle for welfare which is actual, we all need the example of other countries, the example of other peoples’ genius, other peoples’ ingenuity and good fortune.” Canada’s “World In Action” Series Canada’s contribution to international good-will through films produced under the supervision of Grierson was a series designed not only to win friends for that country by acquainting the world with Canada’s way of life, but, at the same time, “without any Pharisaical self-con¬ gratulation to indicate the fundamental tenets of democracy which might be used in building up progressive groups in every country.” Such titles as “War For Men’s Minds,” “Labor Front,” “Global Air Routes,” “Inside France,” “When Asia Speaks,” and “Now the Peace,” give some idea of what wa~ set forth in this excellent series which is still showing in theatres all over the world. English Documentaries Important As developed in England, the docu¬ mentary film was a great factor in weld¬ ing the people into a solid unit during the war, due largely to the fact that the technique had been mastered earlier, under Grierson, Paul Rotha and others. We, in this country, who are proud of our picture-making skills, have much to learn from them in the art of producing the film that teaches by means of simple, realistic, human-interest stories. One of their recent releases, “Children of the City,” found great favor in the United States, especially among socially-minded groups. USA OWI-Overseas Activities Taking a leaf out of these studies, our OWI-Overseas Division, under the direc¬ tion of Robert Riskin, prepared a series of American films for showing in the formerly occupied countries of Europe. Among them were “The Story of the Jeep,” setting forth our industrial “know¬ how”; “Colorado City,” depicting the way one city has made its plans for re¬ conversion; “Washington, D. C.”; and “Tuesday, November Second,” which de¬ scribes our electoral system. Few people have been privileged to see these pic¬ tures in this country, but it is hoped that they will be given non-theatrical show¬ ings at some later date. UNRRA Collecting Films UNRRA is gathering from far and wide a collection of films that will fur¬ ther its work. The British Ministry of Information film division has supplied a “Report” picturing the supply and dis¬ tribution of relief to displaced persons; also, “Star and Sand,” a film dealing with the Yugoslav camp set up in Egypt. Canada is filming a picture in Greece, titled “Out of the Ruins”; an Italian company is making a film portraying what UNRRA is doing in that country; and the U. S. Army is making a tworeel subject, “The Last Battle,” which will probably be released in our theatres as well. In China, Russia, South America and other countries, there are plans under way for similar contributions. Documentaries Aimed For Adult Education The documentary as distinct from the classroom film may be considered as a tool for adult education. From China comes word that mobile units are being developed at Nanking University to carry films far back into the provinces of Changtu and Chungkind — a difficult un¬ dertaking, where roads are often almost 250 July, 1946 • American Cinematographer