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RussellReid

  • Director
  • Writer
  • Editor
Russell-Reid.jpg

One of the founding production staff of the National Film Unit, Russell Reid was a writer, editor and sometime director of many items for the Weekly Review, as well as other films made in the NFU's first decade. He was also known for his work in theatre, a passion he shared with his wife Joan. Together they ran a theatrical supplies business for 15 years. Russell Reid died in July 1970. Image: Detail from Archives New Zealand photo [see Photos tab] 

Screenography

War Years
1983 Original filmmaker Film
Volcanic Fury - White Island
1952 Editor, Writer Short film
Gateway to New Zealand
1952 Director, Writer, Editor Short film
Moana Roa
1951 Director, Writer, Editor Short film
The New Zealand Thoroughbred
1950 Commentary Writer Short film

Biography

When 27-year-old Russell William Asquith Reid joined the National Film Unit in August 1941, he brought with him experience in acting, producing and stage management, as well as the relatively new skill of writing plays for radio. Born in Invercargill, Reid attended Southland Boys’ High School before going on to Otago University, where he was instrumental in reviving the varsity dramatic society and organising capping shows.

“When the heat's on around the studios and there's a rush to get away next week's Review, all of us in the National Film Unit have at some time or another said: 'There must be a better way of earning a living.' But I doubt if any of us really want to find it. ”

— Russell Reid on working on the National Film Unit's Weekly Review, in Screen Parade, April 1945, page 13

Related images

NFU_Viewing_1.jpg
A "cutting conference" for National Film Unit staff, from mid 1945. Back row, left to right, James Harris, Stanhope Andrews, Cyril Morton and Russell Reid. Front row (in darkness): Oxley Hughan, John Pike, Michael Furlong and Stan Wemyss.
Photo 'In the Theatre National Film Unit' courtesy of Archives New Zealand,  The Department of Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwhenua  [Archives reference: AAPG 25263 W3939 21 7277]