Skip to main content

Story: Documentary film

Neuline Film Studios shoot, 1948

Image
Neuline Film Studios shoot, 1948

Using an improvised underwater camera housing, the production crew of Neuline Film Studios shoots Learn to swim for the Department of Education at an Auckland swimming pool in 1948. The film's director, Ronald Bowie, later made award-winning documentaries for the National Film Unit. Its producer, and Neuline's founder, was Australian-born Robert Steele. In 1950 he made Indictment!, an exposé of sub-standard housing in Auckland.

Using this item

Auckland Libraries

Reference: Footprints 02499

by Alton Francis

Courtesy of Mrs Diane Francis

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Helen Martin, Documentary film – Educating the public – 1940 to 1960, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/43586/neuline-film-studios-shoot-1948 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Helen Martin, published 6 December 2013.