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Series · 1959–Returning

Look at Life

8.0·11 seasons·256 episodes

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.

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01
Marrakesh
MarrakeshUp next
Jan 1, 1959

View 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 Marrakesh

02
Follow The Stars
Follow The Stars
Jan 15, 1959

Looking at the stars from the astrologer’s, the astronomer’s and the radio-astronomer’s point of view.

03
The Doctor Suggests
The Doctor Suggests
Jan 15, 1959

Shows how hypnotism has developed from being a stage entertaiment to being a useful tool in the hands of the doctors.

04
A Marriage Is Arranged
A Marriage Is Arranged
Jan 15, 1959
05
Jumping To Aintree
Jumping To Aintree
Jan 15, 1959
06
Ticket To Tokyo
Ticket To Tokyo
Jan 15, 1959
07
Letting Off Steam
Letting Off Steam
Jan 15, 1959
08
A Dog’s Life
A Dog’s Life
Jan 15, 1959

Dogs 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 Dispensary

09
Market Place
Market Place
Jan 15, 1959

Supermarkets contrasted with London street markets.

10
Cause For Alarm
Cause For Alarm
Jan 15, 1959

Present day methods to prevent crime often employ mechanical means to give warning.

11
New Roads For Old
New Roads For Old
Jan 15, 1959
12
A Car Is Born
A Car Is Born
Jan 15, 1959
13
Saving Face
Saving Face
Jan 15, 1959

A look at the cosmetics industry.

14
The Divided City
The Divided City
Jan 15, 1959

Travelogue - 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 discussion

15
Operation Noah’s Ark
Operation Noah’s Ark
Jan 15, 1959

Operation Noah’s Ark’ devoted to rescuing animals from an island which was flooded by the Zambesi river.

16
Down London River
Down London River
Jan 15, 1959

Travelogue 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 Parliament

17
Coffee Bar
Coffee Bar
Jan 15, 1959

Coffee bars and their clientele.

18
Garden Of Tomorrow
Garden Of Tomorrow
Jan 15, 1959

A trip around the Chelsea Flower Show.

19
Derby Day
Derby Day
Jan 15, 1959

A look at the tradition of Derby Day.

20
Money Talks
Money Talks
Jan 15, 1959

A look at the financial institutions of London, including the Royal Mint.

21
Flight On A Cushion
Flight On A Cushion
Jan 15, 1959·6.0

Looks 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.

22
Talking Of Coaches
Talking Of Coaches
Jan 15, 1959

A look at the advances in coach travel.

23
Seaway
Seaway
Jan 15, 1959

The St Lawrence Seaway and its impact on Canada.

24
Kings Of Speed
Kings Of Speed
Jan 15, 1959

A look at the motor racing industry and the part played by British cars and British drivers.

25
Making An Effort
Making An Effort
Jan 15, 1959
26
Village Of Violins
Village Of Violins
Jan 15, 1959

The violin making industry in Mittenwald in the Bavarian Alps.

27
The Black Arrows
The Black Arrows
Jan 15, 1959

Explores the internationally famous formation team and their aerobatic daring in Hunter jets.

28
Ceremonial Soldier
Ceremonial Soldier
Jan 15, 1959

A day in the life of a guardsman.

29
Alpine Rescue
Alpine Rescue
Jan 15, 1959

Just 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 to

30
Down On The Farm
Down On The Farm
Jan 15, 1959

The Royal Agricultural Show and the agricultural industry.

31
Shopping For A "Queen"
Shopping For A "Queen"
Jan 15, 1959

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.

32
Channel Tunnel
Channel Tunnel
Jan 15, 1959

The possibilities of the construction of a Channel Tunnel.

33
Harvest of Hops
Harvest of Hops
Jan 15, 1959

The annual trip to the hop fields in Kent by people living in the East End of London.

34
Pony Tale
Pony Tale
Jan 15, 1959

A 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.

35
Sailing The Sky
Sailing The Sky
Jan 15, 1959

The sport of gliding.

36
Dustmen’s Day
Dustmen’s Day
Jan 8, 1959

The collection of refuse and its disposal.

37
Let’s Go Dancing
Let’s Go Dancing
Jan 15, 1959

A survey of all that dancing involves from teenage rock ‘n’ roll sessions to exhibition ballroom dancing.

38
Soldier Abroad
Soldier Abroad
Jan 22, 1959

The British Army on the Rhine.

39
Island Of Men
Island Of Men
Jan 29, 1959

A tour of Fair Isle, in the Shetlands, where live three times as many men as women.

40
Bullfighter
Bullfighter
Feb 5, 1959

Dealing with the professional work of Vincent Hitchcock, the British bullfighter; shots of him training and in action.

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