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Title: START IN LIFE, a

Reference number: 0294

Date: 1946

Director: d. Brian Smith

Sponsor: MOI with the Ministry of Health

Production company: Realist Film Unit

Sound: sound

Original format: 35mm

Colour: bw

Fiction: non-fiction

Running time: 21.52 mins

Description: A picture of the health services for children in Britain. Features pre-natal advice, maternity care, children's clinics, day nurseries, school children being given school milk and taking part in outdoor activities and games.

Credits: m. comp. William Alwyn
ph. Gerald Gibbs
comm. w. Albert Pearl
p. John Taylor
comm.s. Albert Pearl, Ophelia Segreda

Shotlist: credits (.20) shots in National Fire Service watchroom (.55) Expectant mother given medical and dental examinations at Welfare Centre in Tottenham. She arranges for a midwife. Shots of woman collecting vitamins and orange juice etc. (2.45) expectant mother examined at clinic again (3.18) shots of her in bed with baby. Home-help doing housework (4.20) shots of mothers and babies in the grounds of a maternity home near Hitchin (4.52) after 14th day, a health visitor calls on mother and baby at home. Mothers at Welfare Centre where babies are examined. Orange juice and vitamins given out. Cookery demonstration. Children examined at one year old and immunised against diphtheria (7.14) shots of children in nursery school. Mothers collect children (10.24) children arriving at a Middlesex Junior School. Children given medical examination. Shots of classes and activities. School milk and dinners given out (12.15) shots of electric massage and sun-ray treatment in school clinic (13.07) shots of children in secondary school. Shots of various classes, activities and games (16.28) shots of open air school for children with physical disabilities. Lessons and exercises done out of doors (18.22) shots of boarding school for evacuees near Godalming. Shot of classes and games. Circus performed by children for visiting parents (21.52)