Mary Field

Part of the Senior Biology series, 'Development of the Rabbit' is a study of the gestation period of rabbits - aided by diagrammatic, microscopic, and dissection footage.

The film shows speeded-up germination of the seed to form roots and shoot, at whose base the leaves later form a bulb. The flower produces pollen grains (shown much magnified), which are transferred by insects to the stigmas for fertilization of seeds inside the ovary.

A documentary on the English language and it's origins.

A brisk visual summary of the changing faces of the English town throughout the ages, from the ancients and their hill-forts to the Second World War -- enlivened by the appearance of ghostly denizens to defend their eras against the narrator's various strictures!

Part of the Junior Biology series, this study of pin mould is aided by diagrammatic, time-lapse, and microscopic footage.

Shows how a nursery school enables children to play, eat, rest, look after themselves and indulge their curiousity at their own pace during a typical day.

Underwater and microscopic photography by F. Percy Smith tell the story of a newt's life.

Underwater and microscopic photography by F. Percy Smith tell the story of a newt's life.

The Secrets of Life series (1934-50) may not conform to modern expectations of nature filmmaking, inclined as it is towards giving cute fluffy creatures human names and characteristics. But it couldn't be accused of shielding kiddies from the harsher realities of the food chain, as this exercise in ruthless Darwinism demonstrates to unintentionally hilarious effect. A more than usually eccentric narrator introduces us to the newborn bunny quartet of Donald, James, Charles and Clifford, but as the film's title gives away, "the boys" aren't all long for this world as they face an assault course of hungry owls, predatory badgers, shotgun-happy gardeners and aerial bombardment (no harm in a little anti-Nazi detour, this is 1942 after all). (from http://player.bfi.org.uk/film/watch-once-we-were-four-1942/)

E.V.H. Emmett narrates this propaganda short about how sacrifices on the home front support the war effort.

Part of BFI boxset Ration Books and Rabbit Pies: Films from the Home Front.

Part of BFI boxset Ration Books and Rabbit Pies: Films from the Home Front.

Documentary highlighting how land has been reclaimed for agriculture in Scotland.

Short documentary on how cows and bulls are selected for breeding and selling.

Short nature documentary by Mary Field and F. Percy Smith.

Short nature documentary by Mary Field and F. Percy Smith.

The film tkes us to the North of England to follow the migration of the black-headed gull down to London. There, the narrator asks viewers to "listen to their gossip", before demonstrating the bird’s flight in slow motion. We see a polecat feasting on gull eggs, and then a man collecting the eggs for human consumption, with the film telling us that they are considered a “delicacy” in London. Indeed, according to the British Trust for Ornithology, around 300,000 gull’s eggs were sold every year in Leadenhall Market in London during the 1930s, when London Visitors was made.

Short documentary, showing the development of agriculture in Suffolk from the Stone Age to the 1930s.

'Couple fall in love as seasons change through year.' (British Film Catalogue)

Short, anthropomorphically-inclined documentary showing the life-cycle of the common newt.

Mary Field edits the time-lapse photography of F. Percy Smith to show the life cycle of ferns and related plants.

Mary Field edits the time-lapse photography of F. Percy Smith to show the life cycle of ferns and related plants.

The daughter of an American leather magnate is sent on a series of sightseeing tours in London with her father's business associate, but finds herself targeted by an opportunistic blackmailer.

The courtship rituals of animals and plants are compared to those of contemporary society, with educational and frequently humorous results.

The courtship rituals of animals and plants are compared to those of contemporary society, with educational and frequently humorous results.

Short documentary showing infusoria in a wine-glass.

In England, two young friends, confronted with the outbreak of World War I, enlist together to serve in the same company on the battle-field.

Short film showing (with limited accuracy) the life-cycle of myxomycetes.

Part of BFI collection "Secrets of Nature."

A man contracts a sexually transmitted disease, but is reluctant to seek medical help - until a no-nonsense lecture about the risks he is taking forces him to change his mind.

The world of fungi captured by micro-cinematography and time-lapse photography.