Biography of 'Scottish Films / Thames and Clyde Productions'

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Independent production company

Scottish Film Productions Ltd. was formed by Malcolm Irvine in 1928. Subsequently joined in 1936 by Stanley Russell, the company was based in studios in India Street Glasgow, boasting production offices, cutting rooms, studios and a processing plant. In the later 1930’s the company won several orders from major Scottish manufacturers to produce industrial films, for screening at the 1938 Empire Exhibition in Glasgow.

Scottish Film Productions continued production during the war years making official films with Russell engaged on shoots for Warwork News. In competition with production units such as Campbell Harper Films in Edinburgh, the company struggled with economic difficulties that faced the Scottish film Industry after the war. Malcolm Irvine continued as Scottish Films, but in a smaller capacity.

The company changed its name to Kay’s Scottish Films Ltd., between 1946 - 1947, when it amalgamated with Kay’s, an English organisation, who used the India Street premises purely as laboratory facilities. After Irvine’s death, efforts were made to keep the company in operation. However Kay’s withdrew from the Scottish scene in 1948 and the company’s Scottish branch went into liquidation.

Stanley Russell, having been production manager at Scottish Films since 1936, decided to establish his own film production unit, Russell Productions with co-director Jack Robertson, in August 1943. They had offices at 188 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow and 39, Uphill Grove, London. In 1945, when the company expanded, the name was changed to Thames & Clyde Productions - Russell moving to bigger premises in Maryhill, Glasgow.

In little over a year, seven films were made and two others were in production. Russell specialised in agricultural, industrial and educational films and produced over 100 documentaries. Thames & Clyde Productions were wound up on Russell’s death in 1964.

Researcher: Joan Allan

Films associated with 'COCOZZA, Enrico'

45 hits

Asc Desc
	"RIVER CREE" ENTERTAINS THE QUEEN, the [1101] Add to my films Scottish Country Dance display during Coronation visit to Scotland. 2nd July 1953.		1953 mute bw
	AUTOMATIC FEEDING DEVICE FOR HORIZONTAL FORGING MACHINES [1533] Add to my films Close-up shots of the forging machine at work.		1955 mute bw
	BATHGATE FESTIVAL WEEK 1951 [1952] Add to my films Footage of Bathgate Festival Week, 2nd June 1951, including the coronation of the festival queen, the floats procession, and various sports for children and adults held in Meadow Park.		1952 silent bw
	BLACK AND DECKER LIMITED [0097] Add to my films Manufacture of components for Black and Decker tools. [Incomplete]		1950 sound bw
	CALLY HOUSE [0288] Add to my films A look at Cally House, a wartime evacuation school established by the Glasgow Education Authority in Gatehouse-of-Fleet. It was Britain's first local authority co-educational boarding school for senior pupils.		1942 sound bw
	CAMPBELL TURNBULL WEDDING [0457] Add to my films Coverage of the wedding of Elizabeth Turnbull to Thomas Kenneth Campbell at Paisley Abbey, in 1949.		1949 sound bw
	CLIFF RESCUE, a [3017] Add to my films A promotional film illustrating the work of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.		1957 silent col
	COMING OF THE 'CAMERONS', the [3828] Add to my films Follows Glen Clova postwoman Jean Cameron on her rounds (on bicycle) and documents the introduction of the "Camerons" - uniform trousers for post women (rather than skirts), named after Jean Cameron of Clova who started the fashion after requesting trousers instead of the regulation skirt.		1944 silent col
	DUNDEE [1061] Add to my films The city of Dundee and its industries; jute, jam manufacturing and journalism. [Premiered at a meeting of the British Association in Dundee, September 1939, the screening was abandoned midway owing to the declaration of war].		1939 sound bw
	DUNDEE WAR WEAPONS WEEK [1706] Add to my films Lord Provost Wilson promoting the need to invest in War Savings certificates.		1941 sound bw
	EXCLUSIVE TO LA SCALA ... Funeral of Firemaster Alex Girdwood [0561E] Add to my films Funeral of Firemaster Alex Girdwood, at Hawkhead Cemetary, Paisley.		1937 silent bw
	FIGHTING FIELDS [0456] Add to my films To save shipping space people were encouraged to grow as much food as possible. This promotional film demonstrates		1941 sound bw
	GLASGOW TAKES CARE OF ITS OLD FOLK [0135] Add to my films How Glasgow takes care of its old people through the provision of Old Folks' Homes, including Forest Hall, Crookston Home, and Woodburn Home.		1959 sound bw
	GLASGOW'S FESTIVAL OF FELLOWSHIP [0257] Add to my films The Official Film of the Coronation Celebrations organised by the Corporation of Glasgow. One of three reels only. School children and pensioners on a day trip by steamer to Ardgoil, as part of Glasgow's celebrations for coronation year.		1937 sound bw
	GOOD HEALTH TO SCOTLAND [0271] Add to my films Made during the war, the film promotes various health measures e.g. ante-natal clinics, school milk, holiday camps for children and inoculation.		1944 sound bw
	HIGHLAND HOSPITALITY [0362] Add to my films Promotional film for Allied Hotels. We follow a coach tour round the Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland taking in Oban, Iona, Inverness, Aberdeen and Glencoe.		1939 sound bw
	IMMORTAL MEMORY OF ROBERT BURNS [0889] Add to my films A tour of Burns' country illustrated with poems and songs.		1946 sound bw
	INTRODUCING SCOTLAND [0251] Add to my films A discussion of the social, economic and geographical infrastructure of Scotland, including scenes of Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh.		1958 sound col
	LAMPLIGHTER, the [1500] Add to my films Dramatisation of Robert Louis Stevenson's poem where a small boy watches the leerie doing his rounds lighting gas street lamps.		1956 sound bw
	MRS. MACLEOD [1092] Add to my films A demonstration of the reel "Mrs. MacLeod" by Scottish Country Dance Society dancers.		1950 sound bw
	OBAN CELTIC MEET NEWTONMORE REPLAY [2371] Add to my films The final of the Camanachd Association Shinty Cup between Oban Celtic and Newtonmore, at Inverness.		1937 sound bw
	ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF FAMILY BUSINESS [0058] Add to my films Made to commemorate 100 years of the Firhill Iron Works, founded by James Shaw.	Onsite only	1946 sound bw
	OPENING OF A NEW ALUMINIUM WORKS, the [1503] Add to my films The opening of the new aluminium works at Bainsford, Falkirk, by Sir Stafford Cripps, June 1944. The film also shows women workers in the factory.		1944 silent bw
	PLAYS FOR THE PEOPLE [0479] Add to my films A young actor in London receives his first offer of work, after his war service, at The Citizens Theatre, Glasgow. He is shown around behind the scenes and he takes part in his first production after a successful audition.		1946 sound bw
	PORT OF GLASGOW, the [0048] Add to my films View of the banks of the River Clyde, Glasgow. The dock area is seen filled with cargo vessels, ferries, and shipyards.		1936 silent bw
	RAIL STRAIGHTENER [1532] Add to my films A demonstration of the trial roller straightening of six rolls of steel at the Glengarnock Works of Colvilles Ltd.		1954 silent bw
	RIVER CLYDE [3940] Add to my films In general, this film follows the course of the river Clyde from near its source to its firth, illustrating the salient industries of the land it passes on its way. [More specifically, it probably is an incomplete version of a two part EFS film entitled "River Clyde"].		1939 silent bw
	RIVER CLYDE - A SURVEY OF SCOTLAND'S GREATEST RIVER [0377] Add to my films The River Clyde is traced from its source down to the Firth of Clyde, with a review of its industrial life from Glasgow to Dumbarton.	Onsite only	1939 sound bw
	RIVER CREE, the [0850] Add to my films Dancers demonstrate the various steps of the jig "The River Cree", and then perform the complete dance.		1950 sound bw
	ROMANCE OF ENGINEERING, a [0750] Add to my films Production of steel components at William Beardmore & Co's Parkhead Forge, Glasgow. Made for screening at the 1938 Empire Exhibition.		1938 sound bw
	SERVICE NOT SELF [0455] Add to my films Ceremonies to mark the 25th anniversary of the British Legion (Scotland) attended by the Royal Family, in Edinburgh.		1946 sound bw
	SPORT IN SCOTLAND [0314] Add to my films One of a group of seven documentaries made for the 1938 Empire Exhibition, under the supervision of John Grierson, featuring the sporting pursuits particular to Scotland.		1938 sound bw
	STORY OF CULROSS, the [0191] Add to my films A look at the historic town of Culross in Fife with views of the ruined Abbey, houses and Town Cross.		1938 sound bw
	SUBSIDENCE [0099] Add to my films A look at various types of subsidence, and how to overcome the problem, using St. Andrews' Episcopal Church in Wishaw as an example.	Onsite only	1965 sound bw
	TEMPLETON'S CARPETS [1626] Add to my films The manufacture of Templeton's Carpets is detailed from the initial design to the finished article.		mute bw
	TENEMENT WARDEN [1386] Add to my films An illustration of how to cope with an air raid, including first-aid and fire fighting procedures. The film also shows air raid shelters being built and put into practice.		1941 sound bw
	THINGS THAT HAPPEN NO. 1 [0373] Add to my films First in a series of monthly film reviews of Scotland. Film reconstructs a bank robbery, looks at the Borzoi dog, shoe manufacture at Saxone in Kilmarnock, latest hairdressing styles and the "first sighting" of the Loch Ness Monster!		1936 sound bw
	THINGS THAT HAPPEN NO. 3 [0193] Add to my films St. Andrews and North Berwick swimming pools, a display of gymnastics, police on traffic duty and a dramatised bank robbery are all featured in this cinemagazine.		1937 sound bw
	TINY WINGS [0851] Add to my films A "featurette" on model aircraft.		1946 sound bw
	TOWN IN THE MAKING, a [5785] Add to my films Overview of the development of East Kilbride new town as it reached half its target population in 1963. Emphasis upon East Kilbride Development Corporation's provision of housing, factories and shopping facilities in order to attract population and industry. Several ceremonies and visits by dignitaries.	Onsite only	1963 sound bwcol
	TOWN OF TOMORROW [6844] Add to my films Overview of the development that took place in the first six years of East Kilbride new town.	Onsite only	1954 sound bw
	TRIBUTE TO WARTIME PRODUCTION [1625] Add to my films King George VI and Queen Elizabeth tour Templeton's carpet factory in Glasgow where women are making army blankets.		1941 sound bw
	VISIT TO MAVOR AND COULSON, a [0072] Add to my films A tour of the Mavor and Coulson Bridgeton works, Glasgow,		1950 sound bw
	WEALTH OF A NATION [1062] Add to my films One of a group of seven documentaries made for screening at the 1938 Empire Exhibition, the film compares and contrasts the old and new industries of Scotland.		1938 sound bw
	WORLD OF STEEL [0111] Add to my films Made for screening at the Empire Exhibition Glasgow, the film gives an illustration of steel rolling mill production for girders for the Empire Exhibition Tower. Extract from 30 minute original full length version (missing).		1938 sound bw