Look at Life

Season 1959

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.

Where to Watch Season 1959

31 Episodes

  • Marrakesh
    E1
    MarrakeshA look at Morocco’s historical third city.
  • Ticket to Tokyo
    E2
    Ticket to TokyoTravelling with a Britannia Airline from London via Bombay to Tokyo to discover Japan and back via Hong Kong.
  • Letting Off Steam
    E3
    Letting Off SteamCelebrating British Railways' change of technology with the phasing-out of coal-powered steam and their replacement with oil-powered and electrified trains and signalling to bring in the modern age of travel.
  • New Roads for Old
    E4
    New Roads for OldThe traffic crisis and a look at tomorrow's roads in the making including the London to Yorkshire motorway, Preston By-pass, Runcorn Bridge and works around London, including the gyratory system at Marble Arch, underpass at Hyde Park Corner, road widening at Elephant and Castle and the new Chiswick Flyover.
  • Flight on a Cushion
    E5
    Flight on a CushionThe Chief Test Pilot of East Cowes-based Saunders Roe tells the story of a hovercraft from the moment it was invented, with the inventor Christopher Cockerell and the recording of the first cross Channel crossing on 25 July 1959.
  • Talking of Coaches...
    E6
    Talking of Coaches...Life from the back of a coach with a tour of Blackpool and Italy with young Eric.
  • Alpine Rescue
    E7
    Alpine RescueA glimpse of the hazards faced by Swiss glacier pilots.
  • Shopping for a 'Queen'
    E8
    Shopping for a 'Queen'Just what it takes to replenish the Queen Elizabeth, the 83,000-ton liner before her next voyage. Food shopping and catering on a mammoth scale!
  • Sailing the Sky
    E9
    Sailing the SkyThe grace and freedom of gliding and an interview with Britain's leading woman glider pilot, Ann Welch. Don't forget your sandwiches!
  • Driving Test
    E10
    Driving TestDriving school tuition, including the innovative mock-up car with moving lights, cars for disabled people, the junior driver course at Grammar schools and the training of police drivers and London Bus drivers. Watch out for green Ford Cortinas!
  • Follow the Stars
    E11
    Follow the StarsThere are many who follow the stars. Some believe they can indicate the future, while astronomers spend their nights observing the heavens through the great telescopes at Jodrell Bank.
  • A Marriage is Arranged
    E12
    A Marriage is ArrangedHow a marriage between steel and plastic is successfully forged at British steelworks.
  • The Divided City
    E13
    The Divided CityA look at the two very different faces of Berlin.
  • Operation Noah’s Ark
    E14
    Operation Noah’s ArkThe building of Africa’s Kariba dam created a vast lake, meaning death for the animals marooned on higher ground; this film shows the work done to save them.
  • Jumping to Aintree
    E15
    Jumping to AintreeWatching the winner of the 1959 Grand National.
  • Derby Day
    E16
    Derby DayGoing to the races on Derby Day at Epsom Downs.
  • Kings of Speed
    E17
    Kings of SpeedBritish racing drivers have always been at the forefront of this exciting sport. This film examines what has helped to put them in this winning position.
  • Making an Effort
    E18
    Making an EffortFollowing the thrills of shark fishing, and the Hampton Court Regatta.
  • Pony-Tale
    E19
    Pony-TaleThe story of a pony from the time it is rounded up in the forest until, with its young rider astride, it enters the Pony Club Championships - encompassing pony sales, training, and life at the riding school or with a single owner.
  • A Dog's Life
    E20
    A Dog's LifeA film looking at London from a dog's point of view.
  • Down London River
    E21
    Down London RiverA leisurely journey though London along the Thames.
  • Coffee Bar
    E22
    Coffee BarA film that examines the cult world of the coffee bar and its habits.
  • Garden of Tomorrow
    E23
    Garden of TomorrowA film for everyone who loves a garden, for everyone who loves a gadet, and for those who have never had the chance to see the Chelsa Flower Show in all its glory.
  • Harvest of Hops
    E24
    Harvest of HopsA look at typical London family on thier annual hop-picking holiday.
  • Market Place
    E25
    Market PlaceSid James narrates a film looking at street markets at a time when they are increasingly forced to compete with modern supermarkets.
  • A Car Is Born
    E26
    A Car Is BornA survey of the success of the British car, this film considers the various stages of design, production and testing to build up a fascinating profile of the industry
  • Saving Face
    E27
    Saving FaceA look at the magic of the beauty business
  • Money Talks
    E28
    Money TalksA film investigating the complex world of money.
  • Down On The Farm
    E29
    Down On The FarmA look at the newest developments in farming of every kind.
  • Bottle Party
    E30
    Bottle PartyLook at Life tells the fascinating story of why we throw away 200 million bottles every year!
  • Cause for Alarm
    E31
    Cause for AlarmPresent day methods to prevent crime often employ mechanical means to give warning.

 

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