Motion picture films (GRG29/176)

This series contains two 16mm film reels produced by Peerless Films and directed by Edmee Campbell Dobbie.

Reel 1 is labelled "Royal Show". This film features footage of the activities Royal Adelaide Show including equestrian, horse racing, wood chopping and displays of local produce.

Reel 2 is titled "The Open Door" and was produced in the late 1940s. This documentary film concerns Morialta Protestant Children's Home (Morialta). It was produced as an appeal for donations towards building 'cottage homes' at Morialta. The title of the film comes from the idea that Morialta is 'open to every needy child'.

The film details the history of Morialta, including how the site was chosen and the process of admitting children to the home.

The film follows Peter and Joan (fictional characters) from childhood through to adulthood depicting what living as residents at Morialta entailed for all ages and stages of life.

Along with the 'personal' stories of Peter and Joan woven throughout the film there is footage of Morialta, including buildings (internal and external) and surrounds, along with residents going about their daily lives (such as dining, playing, getting ready for bed, wash time, playing in the yard and sports, receiving medical care, going to church and Christmas time festivities).

The film ends with a man talking about Morialta and the appeal, detailing that the film was produced to 'show' the home as people cannot visit.

This series also contains two videos - a VHS working copy and a Hi8 system master copy.