The Screen Director

"The Screen Director" is a nine-minute documentary short about just that. Art Gilmore is the uncredited narrator for this look at the job of the film directors. It's interesting in that it covers many details that most movie buffs wouldn't associate with the job. For instance, the checking of costumes, the details of makeup, and more. It concludes with the recognition that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences provides in the annual Academy Awards and the Oscar for best director.

Several prominent directors, with their winning films, are mentioned and shown receiving their Oscars. Among them are Michael Curtiz for "Casablanca," Frank Capra for "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," John Ford for "How Green Was My Valley," Leo McCarey for "Going My Way," William Wyler for "Best Years of Our Lives," Elia Kazan for "Gentleman's Agreement," Joseph Mankiewicz for "A Letter to Three Wives," and John Huston for "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre."

Screen Director, The (1951)

** (out of 4)

Another documentary-short in the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences series that explains to viewers what the jobs of various people are. This time out we take a look at a director and learn that he has a lot more to do than just telling a story as he has to worry about the budget, costumes, art direction, making sure the actors know how to act and making sure to communicate with everyone so that the entire machine can come together. This is the second film in the series that I've seen and this one here is a tad bit more entertaining since we get a couple scenes where the director corrects some actors and makes them film a scene for a second time. We see how different an actor could play a certain scene even with the same dialogue. I found that to be the biggest highlight here but for the most part everything else is stuff most people are going to already know.

"The Screen Director" is a short film about what the job of a film director entails. It's directed by Richard L. Bare, the same guy who directed tons of TV shows, movies and movie shorts...including the Joe McDoakes series and "Green Acres". In fact, he's in the film...but doesn't play the director! In addition to seeing him act in the film, you see clips of many famous directors at work, including the likes of John Ford, John Huston, Leo McCarey and William Wyler.

For the most part, it's informative...and a bit stuffy due to the subject matter. My only complaint, and it's VERY minor, is that directors' jobs may entail many things you see in this film...but many don't. For example, most directors supervise the editing of their movies...but those with MGM in the old days weren't allowed to generally do this. And, the film says the director chooses cast members...though often casting directors and producers do this. Not a major quibble at all...just that directors are not a monolithic group. Well worth seeing if you are a film nut (like me) or if you are a Richard L. Bare groupie!