Biography of 'MacLEAN, William J. ‘Mac’'

Film-maker

McLean was on the teaching staff at Glasgow School of Art (GSA) in the mid 1930’s where he gained experience of film making with Norman McLaren, Stewart McAllister and other members of the GSA Kinecraft Society. He was called up to serve in the armed forces during the Second World War and after a brief return to teaching, entered the film industry with Scottish National Film Studios (SNFS) whose first premises in 1946 were in India Street, Glasgow. SNFS’ aim was to build complete studios for the production of films for commercial distribution. The ‘premiere’ screening of their only completed film Someone Wasn’t Thinking was held at the Cosmo cinema, Rose Street, Glasgow. However, the venture was unsuccessful and the Scottish National Film Studios ceased to be.

‘Mac’ as he was known, soon found work with the Citizen’s Theatre in Glasgow and it was here that he became aware of Campbell Harper Films in Edinburgh. He successfully applied for a job with Alan Harper, recruited to work specifically on the production of the Glasgow Civics Series films for the Glasgow Education Committee. During his time at Campbell Harper Films Mac edited, directed and wrote sponsored, industrial and educational films. He was the only person employed in the late 1940’s as a film director in Scotland.

Willie McLean also had a keen interest in sound recording equipment, and experimented in building his own sound system out of unused, collected parts. In 1960 he left Campbell Harper Films to join the film unit in the engineering film Ferranti.

Researcher: Caroline Young

Films associated with 'COCOZZA, Enrico'

14 hits

Asc Desc
	GSA KINECRAFT SOCIETY: Eternal Triangle, the / UNQUENCHABLE PASSION OF HEZEKIAH SMITH, the [2140] Add to my films Two dramas filmed by members of the Glasgow School of Art Kinecraft Society.	Onsite only	1934 silent bw
	HOW OUR CITY IS GOVERNED [0315] Add to my films Local Government election procedure and Glasgow Corporation committees in session.		1949 silent bw
	KEEPING OUR CITY CLEAN [0420] Add to my films The work of the Cleansing Department in Glasgow.		1949 silent bw
	L'ANNIVERSAIRE [0848] Add to my films The first film to be made in Scotland by a company of French players speaking their own language, it tells the story of a mother's birthday.		1950 sound bw
	LEARNING FOR LIVING: The Junior Secondary School in Scotland [0416] Add to my films A survey of educational facilities at a junior secondary school in Scotland.		1956 sound bw
	LIFE IN THE ORKNEYS [2009] Add to my films Life on the Orkney islands seen through the eyes of a mail boat skipper, a farmer and a civil air-service pilot. Film includes brief shot of German fleet in Scapa Flow prior to scuttling in 1919 and an aerial shot of the Churchill Barriers.		1957 sound bw
	OUR ART GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS [0397] Add to my films A tour through various exhibitions in the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.		1949 silent bw
	OUR HEALTH SERVICES [0331] Add to my films Describes the main requirements for a healthy city through its hospital care and public health.		1949 silent bw
	OUR TRANSPORT SERVICES [0057] Add to my films The story of Glasgow Municipal Transport System from hansom cabs to trams and buses.		1949 silent bw
	PREVENTION IS BETTER [1075] Add to my films Made to encourage methods of prevention of TB, the film promotes the practice of regular chest x-rays.	Onsite only	1954 sound bw
	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
	SIR PATRICK SPENS [0312] Add to my films The ballad of Sir Patrick Spens, illustrated with drawings.		1956 sound bw
	ST. KILDA [1896] Add to my films A depiction of St. Kilda after its evacuation, showing the remains of the village buildings, the naval encampment and the animal and bird life on the island.		1957 mute 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