Home Movies (1943)

HOME MOVIES FOR JANUARY PACE 23 REVIEWS ... of cAmateur film* B y S C H 0 E N I HREE films, each rating three stars, is our dish of reviews for this month. Purposely selected for review and criticism here with the object of pointing out what one should and should not do in producing the more ambitious, continuity type of picture, are three amateur photoplays. It is possible for the amateur to produce really convincing photodramas or comedies providing he has an adequate cast, a good story and most important — the ability to direct as well as photograph the picture. Amateurs and cine club groups striving for effectual photoplay production must first recognize these facts. All three pictures reviewed here were produced from continuities with real merit. Developing the plot a little further, squeezing the utmost in acting ability from the cast, and more careful editing would, in each case, result in a possible Movie of the Month. ^^Rangers of Outlaw Flats" is a 200-foot 8mm. Kodachrome photoplay produced by C. Clary of Glendale, Calif., a city that has given the cine world some of the most interesting amateur made films this year. Story concerns a cattleman who sells his ranch for cash and then is robbed of the money by an unfaithful employee. His wife summons help of local Rangers who pursue and capture the crooked employee, retrieve the cash, and take the culprit off to jail. Chief weakness is in the story. There's little plot to it although it could have been developed into a real thriller. Considering the talent this filmer had to work with — several members of a group of Ranger volunteers with natty uniforms, horses, etc., some fine locations, and a plethora of western scenery — it is regrettable a better action picture did not result. But no severe criticism is due filmer Clary, for this is practically his first amateur movie. Much credit is due him for daring to undertake so pretentious a picture, for his excellent photography, his choice of locations and the editing and titling of his picture. There is little doubt that already he has profited much by the mistakes and shortcomings of his initial feature production and that he is an amateur to be reckoned with in future competitions. • All amateurs, whether subscribers to HOME MOVIES or not, are invited to submit their films to the editors for review and helpful criticism. Reviewed films will be rated one, two three, and four stars, and films qualifying for two or more stars will receive, free, an animated leader. Exceptional films qualifying for the distinction of the "Movie of the Month" will be treated in detail in a feature-length article in a following issue of HOME MOVIES. In addition, a certificate evidencing the award of "Movie of the Month" and a special animated "Movie of the Month" leader will be returned with such films after review. Out of Oklahoma comes another western "hoss opera" that rated the reviewer's three-star merit leader. "Death Rides the Range" running 400 feet in 8mm. Kodachrome was produced by Fritz Holzerbein and Eugene Heflin of Oklahoma City. The producers had a good story but failed to get the utmost from their cast. By allowing the cast to run rampant during filming, injecting business here and there not called for in the script, much of the sincerity necessary to the plot was eliminated. Story concerns a bad man who holds up a rancher homeward bound from the bank with the payroll. Rancher is killed and the bandit escapes. Later his trail is picked up by trio of cowhands and a chase results. Eventually the dead rancher's daughter is injected into the plot, is captured by the bandit and tied to a railroad track in the fashion of old gaynineties melodramas. She escapes in nick of time, kills the bandit and falls in love with a ranch hand in the closing sequences. Photography rates fair in this picture which is marked by considerable underexposure. Editing is fair and titling offers much room for improvement. Chief titling fault is lack of clarity and inconsistency in format, lettering and color of titles. Lesson to be learned by these filmers is that direction is most important in a picture of this kind. A better picture no doubt would have resulted had all directorial responsibility been placed in the hands of one and the camera work handled exclusively by the other. BUY WAR BONDS New Features for Your Filmo • If you want features offered by newest Filmo models which your dealer can't deliver immediately, chances are that B&H craftsmen can add them to your present Filmo Camera or Projector. New "Modernization Folders" give details and costs. Ask your dealer or write, stating your Filmo model. Use This Timely NEW SERVICE • If you own a Bell & Howell Camera or Projector, you have something that might be difficult to replace now. 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