Biography of 'Campbell Harper Productions'

Production company

Established around 1934 in Edinburgh by Alan Harper, Campbell Harper Productions based their studios in a rented attic in Alva Street, Edinburgh. Being a fairly small-scale production company they employed only two young men and a secretary. Campbell Harper Films came into being through Alan Harper’s interest in the possibilities of the teaching-film. He assisted the founder members of the Scottish Educational Film Association, and was soon making educational, industrial and social interest films on a full-time basis.

In 1938 at the Glasgow Empire Exhibition’s cinema, nearly twenty of the company’s productions were exhibited. During the Second World War Campbell Harper was commissioned to make home front propaganda and short information films for the Ministry of Information and the Scottish Office. Thanks to this government funded work during the war, Campbell Harper was able to establish themselves firmly.

In 1946 new premises were bought jointly with Edinburgh Film Guild at Nos 6/7 Hill Street. This building was custom built with offices, camera rooms, cutting rooms and sharing its viewing theatre with the Edinburgh Film Guild. The company now employed four men, Alan Harper (producer), Henry Cooper (cameraman), Bill Fulton, Willie J McLean and two office staff. At the height of the company’s established strength, its full complement of staff numbered ten. Its output covered a range of subjects for a variety of industrial, municipal and national agencies.

By 1955 the company began to win contracts from BBC Scotland and later from Scottish TV. It produced a variety of TV sports, filming football matches for the BBC and providing news footage for both the BBC and ITN newsrooms in London. In 1957, it produced all the film work for the BBC’s news and current affairs programme ‘Tonight’ and shot material for an early edition of ‘This is Your Life’. Work of this nature provided a substantial amount of extra income. Campbell Harper secured a slate of work that enabled it to survive and make a modest profit whilst maintaining a healthy and competitive technical capacity through shrewd investment.

In 1972 the business was sold as a going concern to Douglas Gray of Park Films. He however did not have ACTT membership and consequently, twelve months later, the business folded.

Researcher: Joan Allan

Films associated with 'COCOZZA, Enrico'

101 to 130 of 130 hits

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Asc Desc
	ROYAL VISIT CO-OPERATIVE CENTENARY [2034] Add to my films Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip atttend Co-operative Centenary.		1963 silent col
	SCIENCE 2ND CYCLE [2039] Add to my films Science experiments in Barrhead High School.		1970 sound col
	SCIENCE FOR THE SEVENTIES [1828] Add to my films A look at the techniques being developed in courses in physics, chemistry and biology for non-certificate pupils.		1966 sound col
	SCOTLAND DANCES [2224] Add to my films The tradition of Scottish Highland and Country dancing, reflecting some of its world-wide popularity.		1957 sound col
	SCOTS OF TOMORROW [0007] Add to my films Scottish school pupils studying scientific and historical projects.		1959 sound bw
	SCOTTISH MINERS GALA DAY [2022] Add to my films The miners' gala day in Edinburgh, with the Scottish Miners Youth contingent, procession and rally, pipe band and sports competitions.		1953 sound col
	SCOTTISH YOUTH HOSTEL TRAILER [2062] Add to my films A trailer for the Scottish Youth Hostel Association.		1960 sound col
	SEED OF PROSPERITY [0495] Add to my films A survey of the condition of potato crops and measures taken to combat their disease.		1946 sound bw
	SIMON SQUARE EXHIBITION [2016] Add to my films Exhibition of works by people with disabilities in Edinburgh.	Onsite only	1970 silent bw
	SIR PATRICK SPENS [0312] Add to my films The ballad of Sir Patrick Spens, illustrated with drawings.		1956 sound bw
	ST. CUTHBERT'S NINETIETH BIRTHDAY [2003] Add to my films The work of the St. Cuthbert's Association, with views of its shops, and interiors its bakery, meat and dairy departments. The film also mentions the political activity of the Co-operative, and its association with Mr Andrew Gilzean, Labour Member of Parliament for Central Edinburgh from 1945-1951.		1949 sound col
	STOBHILL HOSPITAL: The Story of a Modern Hospital [1347] Add to my films The work of a modern hospital with shots 'behind the scenes' showing the kitchens, dispensary, telephone switchboard and nurses relaxing off-duty.	Full length available onsite	1938 silent bw
	STORY OF TORMORE, the [2795] Add to my films The construction of the Tormore Distillery on Speyside, highlighting some of the aspects of the social and historical setting of the development.		1963 sound col
	SUN PICTURES, the [1496] Add to my films A history of the pioneers of photography, David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson.		1965 sound bw
	SUN, WIND AND RAIN [2038] Add to my films An educational film about the weather.		1968 sound col
	TAM O'SHANTER [0458] Add to my films Adapted from the BBC TV production, Robert Burns' poem, "Tam O' Shanter", is recited by Harold Wightman and illustrated with drawings by Edward and Elizabeth Odling.		1958 sound bw
	TAY ROAD BRIDGE [2243] Add to my films The building of the Tay Road Bridge from the initial stages to the official opening.		1967 sound col
	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
	THESE ARE OUR CHILDREN: Activity, Discovery and Learning in Edinburgh Primary Schools [3085] Add to my films Review of experimental teaching techniques in use in Edinburgh Primary Schools - reading library, Cuisenaire rods, elementary science, introduction to French.		1965 sound col
	THIS LITTLE WORLD [1631] Add to my films The work of the East Fortune Sanatorium, East Lothian, showing the staff at work, patients waiting to be x-rayed and the facilities enjoyed by patients including the library and leisure activities such as golf and snooker.	Onsite only	1954 sound bw
	TREE IS PLANTED, a [3091] Add to my films A look at the work of the Forestry Commission. (9 mins)		1957 sound bw
	UNDAUNTED: THE TREFOIL SCHOOL [1673] Add to my films The work of the Trefoil School for children with disabilities, with shots of children at summer camp, at meal time, learning crafts and playing various sports. An up-dated version of this film was made in 1956 [see ref. 1674].	Onsite only	1947 silent bw
	UNDAUNTED: THE TREFOIL SCHOOL [1674] Add to my films The facilities that the Trefoil school offers to children with disabilities.	Onsite only	1956 sound bw
	VICTORY OVER PAIN [0755] Add to my films The dramatised story of James Y. Simpson's discovery of the anaesthetic effects of chloroform.		1956 sound bw
	VIEW FROM THE BASS, a [2913] Add to my films The county of East Lothian, in particular the town of North Berwick and its links with Robert Louis Stevenson. Includes shot of Berwick Law and group of Boy Scouts in kilts climbing it.		1963 sound col
	VIEWS OF PERTH [2021] Add to my films Various views of Perth. [Rushes only].		1935 silent bw
	VITAL STATISTICS [1979] Add to my films Some of the work of the Public Health Department, including the checking of imported foodstuffs, sanitary inspection of housing, hospital care and child welfare.		1940 silent bw
	WINSTON CHURCHILL VISITS ABERDEEN [2797] Add to my films Winston Churchill, accompanied by his wife and daughter plant a tree in the home of Sir Thomas and Lady Jaffrey and the University of Aberdeen confers on him the Honorary Degree of LLD. [See also refs. 4025 and 4563].		1946 silent bw
	WORKING TOGETHER [2984] Add to my films The work of the Edinburgh Committee for the Co-ordination of Services for the Disabled. Includes shots of Scouts with disabilities at camp.		1968 sound col
	ZOO YEAR [2796] Add to my films The story of a year at the Royal Scottish Zoological Society's park in Edinburgh.		1965 sound col