Home Movies (1943)

PACE 70 HOME MOVIES FOR MARCH FRESNEL PHOTOSPOT THE MAN'S SIZE ALL PURPOSE SPOTLIGHT OF PROFESSIONAL POWER AND FLEXIBILITY 72 Outstanding Features: • 4" Fresnel Lens • Focuses from I' spot to 6' flood at 5' • Focuses to give soft or sharp shadows • Hinged front opens for wide floodings • Welded steel body, completely ventilated • Yoke fits table base, tripod, light stand • 10/ approved asbestos cord and switch • Burns 300, 500, 750 w. & Kodachrome lamp • Swivels in any direction on tension pivots • Cool Bakelite focusing and tilting handles • 500 waft, 50 hour life projection lamp, $2.20 • Adjustable stand extends to 4' 10", $2.95 • Valuable, expensive accessories include framing mask, diffuser, color filter kit $1495 Mail Orders Filled 32d St. Near 6th Ave., N.Y.C. FROM KODACHROMES BY FAMOUS AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS 504 EACH Series of thrilling Kodachromes showing U.S. Fighters and Bombers in actual fight. Among them, Flying Fortress, P-38, Consolidated Flying Boat, Hudson Bomber, B-25 and others. Order from your favorite camera store — also u rite for complete list to WESTERN MOVIE SUPPLY CO. 254 SUTTER STREET SAN FRANCISCO REVIEWS... of cAmateur film* B y S C H 0 E N SoME movie makers are more prolific filmers than others, yet the most prolific do not always turn out the best pictures. There are amateurs who have been shooting for years, yet demonstrate little or no knowledge of continuity or sequence. It was therefore, a pleasure for the editors when Wm. R. Thornberry, of North Hollywood, Calif., submitted for analysis and review three films completed by him during the past year. A review of-each film is presented here because each demonstrates a peculiar aptitude for presenting in story form, incidents ordinarily filmed by others in straight documentary fashion. Other filmers, whose imaginations fail to be sparked by the continuity possibilities in such commonplace incidents as spending a day at home, the birth of a baby, etc., will find a lesson in these filming accomplishments of Wm. R. Thornberry. None of the films are pretentious. They run the ordinary 50 to 100 foot length of the average 8mm. filmer's effort. ^The Book Agent" stars Thornberry, his wife and their baby. Story concerns a young lady book agent who, in the course of her door-to-door selling campaign, encounters a prospect lazing in a sunchair on his veranda. He shows no interest in her or her books until she tells him there's a premium of one kiss goes with each book purchased. The young man buys several books, and the premium giving ripens into friendship, then love. A title, "One Hour Later . . ." precedes a closeup showing a wad of bills in the girl's hand — the receipts from her overwhelming book sales to the young man. Another title — "8760 hours (or one year) later ..." follows this shot and the next scene shows a happy little family group — the book agent, the man (now her husband) and a baby boy — reminiscing by the family fireside. Thornberry, who wanted to make movies of his family, might have followed the hackneyed formula of filming his wife and child at random in unrelated shots. He wisely spent a little time in developing a light story, with himself and family as principals, and filmed it — and had a whale of a lot more fun. "The Book Agent" runs 50 feet in 5mm. Kodachrome and was awarded a 3 -Star merit leader. • EVERY filmer of amateur moi ies, whether a subscriber or not, is iniited to submit his films to the editors for review and helpful criticism. This free service applies to any type of picture uhether it be your first motie or a pretentious photoplay effort. Aim of this seriice is to help you make better pictures. Reiieued films will be rated i, i and 3 stars. Those rating i or 3 stars uill receite Free an animated leader indicative of its merit. Best film reviewed each month uill receive a special certificate auard as the Movie of the Month. All films are returned promptly by insured express together with merit leaders and special analysis report. ^*Life Begins" is the Thornberry's movie record of their first "blessed event." Opening of the story follows the familiar formula of the nervous husband silently suffering in the hospital waiting room while his wife bears him a child in the adjoining maternity ward. Finally there's a closeup of a box of cigars with a sign tacked on the cover announcing it's a boy. A short sequence follows this showing all the gifts received in a baby shower, then a title, as spoken by the new arrival: "Well, here I am — three weeks old today!" This title dissolves into a closeup of the baby, and from this point on, action in the picture is described by the baby in spoken titles — very effective. The title, "My Dad makes the formula— boy! is it good!" introduces a sequence showing Dad preparing the baby's food, feeding him, etc., while outside, mother hangs diapers. Concluding sequences show the father bathing the child, and neighbors and relatives calling to visit it. The continuity, in spite of its familiar theme, is treated with fresh new angles and the smart titling, superimposed over the scenes, is a highlight that contributes much to the picture which also received a 3 -Star merit leader. • Continued on Page <>J