Look at Life

Season 1961

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 1961

45 Episodes

  • Air Umbrella
    E1
    Air UmbrellaA look at NATO's international squadrons, with footage of the F104 Starfighter.
  • Press-Button Age
    E2
    Press-Button AgeEvery day is another step into the press-button age; this film shows how our lives are increasingly regulated by automation.
  • Flood Tide
    E3
    Flood TideHow the ceaseless battle with the sea is being fought with the aid of the Flood Warning System.
  • Men With Ideas
    E4
    Men With IdeasA film providing insight into the machinery of patenting.
  • Mystery of a Fish
    E5
    Mystery of a FishFrom the River Axe in Devon, scientists catch every young salmon that swims downstream in an effort to map this species’ incredible voyage.
  • Pipeline
    E6
    PipelineRefuelling both in the air and at sea.
  • The Rocket-Age Lancers
    E7
    The Rocket-Age LancersLooking to the future with the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers.
  • Girls Ahoy!
    E8
    Girls Ahoy!Formed in wartime, the Women's Royal Naval Service is still going strong.
  • Survival
    E9
    SurvivalA look at survival techniques with Peter Whittingham and RAF expert Jock Wishart.
  • Muscle Men
    E10
    Muscle MenA fast-moving film with enough vigour to prove that muscle and brawn still count!
  • Action This Day
    E11
    Action This DayThe tough training of the Royal Marine Commandos - some of Britain's finest fighting men.
  • Char and Wad
    E12
    Char and WadThe work of the NAAFI - from Kuwait to Gibraltar, Germany to Cyprus.
  • Rolling out from Rio
    E13
    Rolling out from RioSix hundred miles inside Brazil stands the new capital Brasilia, one of the 20th century’s most imaginative projects.
  • Lady of Japan
    E14
    Lady of JapanA look at the development of Japan, and especially Tokyo.
  • Flags over the Temples
    E15
    Flags over the TemplesA look at the impact of the south-east Asia treaty organisation (SEATO) in Thailand.
  • City of Crisis
    E16
    City of CrisisA film that takes another look at the crisis-torn city of Berlin.
  • Out for a Catch
    E17
    Out for a CatchA film looking at the different aspects of angling - and the tragedy of our polluted in land waterways.
  • Against the Clock
    E18
    Against the ClockThe Look at Life cameras get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the world of car rallies.
  • Man into Fish
    E19
    Man into FishThe British Sub-Aqua Club holds courses in swimming pools and lakes thoughout the country. Observing training both above and below the surface, this film offers a fascinating glimpse of a mysterious, little-seen world.
  • Ski Fever
    E20
    Ski FeverA look at the British skiers are doing, both at Glencoe in th Scottish Highlands and at Murren, where the british Championships provide almost as many thrills - if not such high speeds - as international events.
  • Fairs Please
    E21
    Fairs PleaseA film that looks at contemporary fairs, and explores their popularity.
  • Ringing the Changes
    E22
    Ringing the ChangesFrom small hand-bells to the great bell of Westminster, this is a film full of music, bringing into focus the fascination of an ancient craft.
  • Hyde Park Corner
    E23
    Hyde Park CornerA look at the changes being made at Hyde Park Corner, in particular the Underpass.
  • The Big Blow
    E24
    The Big BlowThis film puts the spotlight on the human and mechanical components that make up the brass band - from a flourishing junior band in Wiltshire to the world-famous Black Dyke Mills band in Yorkshire.
  • Woman-Power
    E25
    Woman-PowerAuthor and broadcaster Stephen Potter shows why no man should ever underestimate the spending power - and influence - of women in modern Britain.
  • Art Is a Business
    E26
    Art Is a BusinessA look at the contemporary British art world, and the increasing interest in all its aspects.
  • Ice Age
    E27
    Ice AgeThe manufacture and multifarious uses of an abundantly available substance: ice!
  • And So to Bed
    E28
    And So to BedA look at the manufacture of one of modern life's most important purchases, the mattress.
  • Coming, Sir!
    E29
    Coming, Sir!An interesting look into the developing hotel industry and the problems it has to face.
  • Tulip Town
    E30
    Tulip TownThe Story of Spalding, told on the most significant day in the town's calendar: that of the annual Flower Parade, when over 8,000,000 tulip heads show visitors the glory of the tulip industry.
  • For the Record
    E31
    For the RecordHow Helen Shapiro's 1961 hit "Walkin' Back To Happiness" was recorded; pressed and distributed.
  • Jobs With a Thrill
    E32
    Jobs With a ThrillThink your job is too boring? See what these men do for a living.
  • Roses all the Way
    E33
    Roses all the WayEngland's national emblem for centuries, the rose is our most fragrant export. This sparding film looks at the enduringly popular perennial gracing millions of gardens.
  • Keeping Fit
    E34
    Keeping FitShows the different ways in which people in Britain strive for physical fitness
  • All Their Own Work
    E35
    All Their Own WorkAn item covering how the inhabitants of the Cotswold town Moreton-in-Marsh decided to save on the rates when the town, in the middle of a beauty spot, needed doing up, and do the repairs and redecorating themselves
  • Holiday - With Pay
    E36
    Holiday - With PayA film taking a look at students and the types of summer jobs they get to earn money during the summer vacation.
  • Women in Green
    E37
    Women in GreenAn account of the work and organisation of W.V.S. in Britain.
  • Up to Scratch
    E38
    Up to ScratchSidney James commentating on fleas and elephants in the circus.
  • Going to Blazes
    E39
    Going to BlazesShows the organisation, training methods and work done by the Fire Brigade in London.
  • High Tension
    E40
    High TensionTension created by pressure of modern life. Methods of relieving these tensions, pep pills. The work of the Institute of Directors and a castle in N. Wales where executives can relax. Also includes the special needs of mothers with young children.
  • Match Makers
    E41
    Match MakersModels made from match sticks.
  • Battle of the Bulge
    E42
    Battle of the BulgeA look at various ways of slimming.
  • Prison on Wheels
    E43
    Prison on WheelsLight-hearted miscellany covering the problems of parking cars in London, the eight-storey mechanical park in the City car-breaking and compulsory testing, etc.
  • Controlled Landing
    E44
    Controlled LandingInside the control tower of London Airport, and shows the talk-down procedure for an incoming comet arriving in a fog.
  • Men in the Mode
    E45
    Men in the ModeDeals with the men's fashion industry.

 

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