New Zealanders began making story films from 1926, soon after the 16mm amateur film camera was invented. In the North Waikato, Ernest Collison made Shell Shock a war time drama, with special effects. In Auckland, Alec Douglas Lambourne made the comedy, Two Live Ghosts on Waiheke Island. These films and others made by independent filmmakers are shown in this programme along with the work of Amateur Cine Society members.

With piano accompaniment by Susan Alexander. 

Image credit: an intertitle from The Lady Gets Left (1931)

For the past decade the Film Archive has taken films from the collections to small towns and communities around New Zealand. We’re delighted to continue the Traveling Film Show series for 2012 where, for three nights each month, we come 'home' to Wellington with our touring programmes.  If you’d like further information on how you might be able to organise a screening in your town click here

Programme details

Shell Shock, 1926
An “All Quiet” war comedy made by Ernest Collison, of Te Kauwhata, Waikato. The film stars Bill Collison, Ernest’s brother,as Tommy. Shell Shock includes a spectacular range of special effects including explosions.

Two Live Ghosts, 1930s
“Every year holiday makers at Arran Bay build a huge bonfire to welcome in the New Year. When the fire had burned low, someone suggested a visit to the Haunted House.”A drama made by Alec Douglas Lambourne, on Waiheke Island.

The Lady Gets Left, 1931
Amateur drama, made by the Cinematography Section of the Amateur Arts Society and filmed at Lyall Bay and the beautiful homes of Mr A Crawford & Mr T Dawn. The heroine, Carmen Macsporran, is beautiful and brash. Her father, (a retired Haggis manufacturer) stages a Tennis Party, an opportunity for Carmen to find a man.....

Cafe de Paris, 194-
A drama produced by Wally Knowles, who also appears in the film. The story is set in a cafe, where two women plan a robbery.

Rendezvous at Noon, 1966
An amateur experimental comedy drama that marks time via repeating images of everyday domestic life such as the dripping of water, the closing and opening of drawers and doors until the anticipated rendezvous at noon. Filmed by Charles Hale, and starring Helen Hale as Mrs Brown.

 Pounawea, 1964
A mini comedy about the meteorological perils of leaving home. Made by animator Fred O’Neill a member of the Otago Cine Society.
 
The Christmas Train, 1965
A little boy presses his nose to the toyshop window in Masterton. He eyes a beautiful train set displayed in the window. He can’t buy it, so he makes his own toy engine out of wood. One day, he is playing with it by a river when some bullies come along and destroy his toy.  As he is running away, one of the bullies falls into the river and the little boy runs for help. When the bullies realise who was responsible for their friend’s rescue, they decide to make amends for their behaviour. Produced by Adrienne Eastwood, from the Masterton Amateur Cine Society. Adrienne was a prize winning amateur filmmaker.