Synopsis
Look at Life was a regular British series of short documentary films of which 507 were produced between 1959 and 1969 by the Special Features Division of the Rank Organisation for screening in their Odeon and Gaumont cinemas. The films always preceded the main feature film that was being shown in the cinema that week. It replaced the circuit's newsreel, Universal News, which had become increasingly irrelevant in the face of more immediate news media, particularly on television with the launch of ITN on the Independent Television service, which began broadcasting in parts of the United Kingdom in 1955.
Episodes
1E1MarrakeshView of Marrakesh, men riding on donkeys whilst commentary describes the position of Marrakesh CU of a camel. Camels being led: the market place: Arabs meet to talk or to drive a bargain: commentary gives a brief history of Marrakesh2E2Follow The StarsLooking at the stars from the astrologer’s, the astronomer’s and the radio-astronomer’s point of view.3E3The Doctor SuggestsShows how hypnotism has developed from being a stage entertaiment to being a useful tool in the hands of the doctors.4E4A Marriage Is Arranged5E5Jumping To Aintree6E6Ticket To Tokyo7E7Letting Off Steam8E8A Dog’s LifeDogs as pets, including the Queen’s corgis, and as working dogs - gun dogs, sheep dogs, guide dogs, police dogs and guard dogs. Also shows breeders, veterinarians, the People’s Dispensary15m9E9Market PlaceSupermarkets contrasted with London street markets.10E10Cause For AlarmPresent day methods to prevent crime often employ mechanical means to give warning.11E11New Roads For Old12E12A Car Is Born13E13Saving FaceA look at the cosmetics industry.14E14The Divided CityTravelogue - Berlin. Panning aerial shots: the Mayor’s offices: Emperor William Memorial Church (94): Willy Brandt, Mayor of West Berlin, arriving in London on April 21st 1959 for discussion15E15Operation Noah’s ArkOperation Noah’s Ark’ devoted to rescuing animals from an island which was flooded by the Zambesi river.16E16Down London RiverTravelogue of the River Thames. Shot of: Big Ben: the Embankment: people boarding a pleasure boat at Westminster: people buy tickets: the steamer sets off: the Houses of Parliament17E17Coffee BarCoffee bars and their clientele.18E18Garden Of TomorrowA trip around the Chelsea Flower Show.19E19Derby DayA look at the tradition of Derby Day.20E20Money TalksA look at the financial institutions of London, including the Royal Mint.21E21Flight On A CushionLooks at the development of the Saunders-Roe SR.N1 hovercraft, the first full-size experimental model, and its maiden flight across the English Channel. Includes an interview with Christopher Sydney Cockerell, inventor of the hovercraft, who demonstrates his original model made of tin cans, and Peter Lamb, test pilot for the hovercraft.10m22E22Talking Of CoachesA look at the advances in coach travel.23E23SeawayThe St Lawrence Seaway and its impact on Canada.24E24Kings Of SpeedA look at the motor racing industry and the part played by British cars and British drivers.25E25Making An Effort26E26Village Of ViolinsThe violin making industry in Mittenwald in the Bavarian Alps.27E27The Black ArrowsExplores the internationally famous formation team and their aerobatic daring in Hunter jets.28E28Ceremonial SoldierA day in the life of a guardsman.29E29Alpine RescueJust four men, Swiss glacier pilots, have mastered the art of landing light aircraft on the glaciers and snowfields of the Alps, rescuing injured or stranded climbers in situations difficult to30E30Down On The FarmThe Royal Agricultural Show and the agricultural industry.31E31Shopping For A "Queen"Every fortnight the liner the Queen Elisabeth has to be completely restocked and this is a mammoth housekeeping operation which has to be completed in 48 hours.32E32Channel TunnelThe possibilities of the construction of a Channel Tunnel.33E33Harvest of HopsThe annual trip to the hop fields in Kent by people living in the East End of London.34E34Pony TaleA film of a pony from the time it is rounded up in the forest until, with its young rider astride, it enters for the high spot of the pony-riding year.35E35Sailing The SkyThe sport of gliding.36E36Dustmen’s DayThe collection of refuse and its disposal.37E37Let’s Go DancingA survey of all that dancing involves from teenage rock ‘n’ roll sessions to exhibition ballroom dancing.38E38Soldier AbroadThe British Army on the Rhine.39E39Island Of MenA tour of Fair Isle, in the Shetlands, where live three times as many men as women.40E40BullfighterDealing with the professional work of Vincent Hitchcock, the British bullfighter; shots of him training and in action.
