Out At Ott's / Miracle of the Bulb
Identifier
F.2022-09-0337
Date Of Production
1957
Abstract
A film that documents the life cycle of Dutch spring bulb flowers.
Description
This film begins in John Ott's home studio where he and his son Henry plant bulbs. He explains to Henry that the bulbs must go through a winter dormant period in order to produce flowers in the spring.
A flashback sequence follows Ott as he plants bulbs outside, later excavates them on a cold winter day, and even retrieves cans of snow from the freezer to simulate outdoor plant growth inside his studio.
The remainder of the film presents time-lapse footage of Dutch spring bulb flowers including the crocus, daffodil, hyacinth and tulip as they grow rhythmically to songs like Felix Godin's "Valse Septembre," Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's "Demande Et Response," Herman Finck's "Laughing Eyes," Wilfrid Sanderson's "June is Calling," and Haydn Wood's "The Laughing Cavalier" and "Bird of Love Divine."
The film concludes as John and Henry Ott bid the audience farewell from the studio.
The film was produced over a three year period for the Associated Bulb Growers of Holland. Upon the film's release, bookings were coordinated by the non-profit company, Films of the Nations. In 1958, a 20-minute version of the film screened on BBC Television.
A flashback sequence follows Ott as he plants bulbs outside, later excavates them on a cold winter day, and even retrieves cans of snow from the freezer to simulate outdoor plant growth inside his studio.
The remainder of the film presents time-lapse footage of Dutch spring bulb flowers including the crocus, daffodil, hyacinth and tulip as they grow rhythmically to songs like Felix Godin's "Valse Septembre," Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's "Demande Et Response," Herman Finck's "Laughing Eyes," Wilfrid Sanderson's "June is Calling," and Haydn Wood's "The Laughing Cavalier" and "Bird of Love Divine."
The film concludes as John and Henry Ott bid the audience farewell from the studio.
The film was produced over a three year period for the Associated Bulb Growers of Holland. Upon the film's release, bookings were coordinated by the non-profit company, Films of the Nations. In 1958, a 20-minute version of the film screened on BBC Television.
Run Time
10 min 42 sec
Format
16mm
Extent
325 feet
Color
Color
Sound
Optical
Reel/Tape Number
1/1
Has Been Digitized?
Yes
Language Of Materials
English
Element
Reversal Positive Print
Genre
Form
Subject
Related Collections
Related Places
Distributor
Main Credits
Ott, John Nash Jr. (is filmmaker)
Participants And Performers
Ott, Henry (is performer)
Ott, John Nash Jr. (is host)
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