Films
Little Fugitive, 1953, B/W, 80 Min.,
Written and Directed by Morris Engel, Ruth Orkin and Ray Ashley Starring Richie Andrusco and Rickie Brewster
Nominated for an Academy Award for best motion picture story and winner of the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival
A seven-year old boy named Joey (Richie Andrusco) runs away to Coney Island after being tricked into thinking he's killed his older brother Lennie (Rickie Brewster). Joey's adventures and Lennie's search for his lost little brother make for a charming adventure that chronicles 1950's New York in perfect detail. From the view under the boardwalk to a summer storm that clears the beach, Engel's camera never fails to register the moments that create a magical atmosphere.
Lovers And Lollipops, 1955, B/W, 82 Min.,
Written and Directed by Morris Engel and Ruth Orkin
Starring Cathy Dunn, Lori March and Gerald O'Loughlin
Lovers and Lollipops is the story of seven-year-old Peggy (Cathy Dunn), her widowed mother Ann (Lori March), and her mother's new boyfriend, Larry (Gerald O'Loughlin). Like Little Fugitive, Lovers and Lollipops captures the little dramas that make up real life, and showcases New York landmarks including Central park, the Statue of Liberty, Chinatown, the Bronx Zoo, and the Macy's toy department.
Weddings And Babies, 1958, B/W, 81 minutes
Written and Directed by Morris Engel
Starring Viveca Lindfors and John Myhers
Critics Award, Venice Film Festival
It's Beas (Viveca Lindfors) 30th birthday and her photographer boyfriend Al (John Myhers) still hasn't proposed to her. He's too busy trying to make money shooting "weddings and babies" to settle down and commit to marriage-and he's got to support his old mother, and elderly Italian immigrant given to roaming the city at inopportune times. Bea is ready to give up when Al convinces her to stay and finally gives her an engagement ring. But it's not long before their relationship is thrown into turmoil when a series of disasters leads Al to question everything in his life-including his desire to get married. Shot on location in Little Italy, Greenwich Village and Queens. Weddings and Babies is a timeless story of New Yorkers in and out of love.
I Need A Ride To California, 1968, Color, 83 minutes, shot in 35mm
(Unreleased Feature)
This is the story of a girl during the 60's revolution in the East Village. It explores her various relationships with men, and her search for values of the time.
Video Projects
A Little Bit Pregnant, 1994, Video Feature, 76 minutes
It is a story of an 8-year old boy, and his search for how babies are made. He mistakenly thinks his pregnant sister is the reason the family is moving away from NY and his beloved Mets. He also spends an afternoon with a young girl at a street festival, and begins to discover the difference between the sexes.
Camillia, 1998, Video Feature, 77 minutes
Camillia is the true story of a 2-year old and her development. It follows her on daily and captures all her familyÕs activities and their relationships with her. people in her life.
Shorts
The Farm They Won, 1951, USA Directed by Morris Engel.
Cinematography by Engel.
A biographical look at the Powers family - reminiscent of the Joad family in John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath.
One Chase Manhattan Plaza, 1961, USA, 10 minutes
Directed by Morris Engel.
Produced by Christopher Gerould.
Made in the style of the great "city symphony" films, One Chase Manhattan Plaza celebrates the architectural achievement of this impressive New York City skyscraper as well as all the people who made it tick. From the mailroom, where thousands of letters are received and sorted daily, to the company executives in their sleek, modern offices, Engel imbues what is essentially an industrial film with great humanity and heart.
The Dog Lover, 1962, USA, 24 minutes.
Directed by Morris Engel.
Produced by Engel and Saul J. Turrell
Story by Leslie Waller.
Cinematography by Max Glenn and Greg Zilboorg.
With Margaret Norden, Alice Drummond and Jack Gilford.
Jack is the fastidious manager of a local supermarket. The harmless but disruptive actions of his customers frequently give him headaches, which he remedies by holding a can of frozen juice against his forehead. At home, however, Jack is consistently kind, loving, and patient with his wife and daughter. One day the child brings home a stray dog, and his life is turned upside down...With a cameo appearance by Mary Engel and Ruth Orkin.
