Jack Cardiff and Ken Annakin

We lost two filmmakers last week, both British, both 94, and both who were mainly recognized for their work for adults but who contributed profoundly to children' cinema. 

Jack Cardiff, who I saw at a special ceremony in his honor in London in late 2003, was a cinematographer for Powell & Pressburger, Hitchcock (including my favorite of his films, Under Capricorn), and a host of other directors. He directed a slew of films himself, and I'm mentioning him here because of his work on The Red Shoes, including that great culminating dance sequence I've mentioned before as a wonderful introduction to children to ballet/dance on film.

Ken Annakin was a name I know less of, but his work was more often geared toward kids. He directed Disney's 1960 Swiss Family Robinson, which I vividly recall watching on 16mm, more than once, at an elementary school assembly. The other main piece was his Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952), although The Call of the Wild and others were profitably seen by youngsters. 

Here's a portion near the opening of Swiss Family Robinson (it's a bit like Old Yeller in the ocean; in a Disney film you've always got to save the dog). See what memories come rushing back. It's a great family film, quite worthy of seeing today. (Here the right side's been severely clipped off; see the full frame here.)