The Story of a violin

Canada, 1947

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This film shows how a violin is made in story form. When Bill’s violin gets broken in a tussle, it is the beginning of a fascinating experience for him and his friends. They discover how a violin-maker cuts and fits, sandpapers and polishes, until, three months after he began the work, a new, glossy violin is ready for Bill to apply his bow and draw out a tune. Covers the types of wood used and their origins, the tools required and list the main sections and components of a violin. Includes a violin assemblage sequence animated by Norman McLaren and Evelyn Lambart. Photography by Harold Berk. Editing and sound by Eugene Kash.

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Collection

In ACMI's collection

Credits

producer

Jacques Bobet

production company

ONF | NFB

Duration

00:21:29:00

Production places

Canada

Production dates

1947

Collection metadata

ACMI Identifier

010280

Language

English

Subject categories

Agriculture, Business, Commerce & Industry → Carpentry

Agriculture, Business, Commerce & Industry → Tools

Agriculture, Business, Commerce & Industry → Woodwork

Childrens Films

Childrens Films → Children 12+

Childrens Films → Children 6-12

Crafts & Visual Arts → Carpentry

Crafts & Visual Arts → Handicraft

Crafts & Visual Arts → Tools

Crafts & Visual Arts → Woodwork

Education, Instruction, Teaching & Schools → Carpentry

Educational & Instructional

Educational & Instructional → Instructional

Hobbies, Recreation & Sport → Carpentry

Hobbies, Recreation & Sport → Tools

Hobbies, Recreation & Sport → Woodwork

Music & Performing Arts → Musical instruments

Music & Performing Arts → Musical instruments - Construction

Music & Performing Arts → Stringed instruments

Music & Performing Arts → Violin

Music & Performing Arts → Violin - Construction

Short films

Short films → Short films - Canada

Sound/audio

Sound

Colour

Black and White

Holdings

16mm film; Access Print (Section 1)

16mm film; Limited Access Print (Section 2)

Please note: this archive is an ongoing body of work. Sometimes the credit information (director, year etc) isn’t available so these fields may be left blank; we are progressively filling these in with further research.

Cite this work on Wikipedia

If you would like to cite this item, please use the following template: {{cite web |url=https://acmi.net.au/works/73228--the-story-of-a-violin/ |title=The Story of a violin |author=Australian Centre for the Moving Image |access-date=1 July 2025 |publisher=Australian Centre for the Moving Image}}