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Pedestrian Crossing begins with a compressed sequence
that demonstrates the immediacy with which Richard Massingham's face
communicated. In short turn, he registers the following reactions to the
situations which are suggested; disgust at dried egg for breakfast; grinning
broadly at hearing the pub is open; rolling his eyes exasperatedly at the visit
of his mother-in-law; starting in horror at his bank balance; laughing openly at
someone falling on a banana skin; mouth-watering anticipation of bacon for
breakfast. It is like an improvisation class.
However, it is the combination of his singular looks of dumb incomprehension
and slowly dawning confidence that eventually carry the sponsored message of the
film. Pedestrian Crossing belongs to the group of films in which Massingham's
character (perhaps 'type' would be a better description) gets the hang of
something. He achieves some social skill, after painstaking application, rather
than having it drilled into him.
This is also one of Massingham's most organised films and epitomises his
one-minute masterpieces. His performance, the voiceover, the photography and
editing all synchronise perfectly. For example, it is distinctive of Massingham
that the camera should 'attempt' the crossing before his nervous Mr A acknowledges his fanfare for managing it.
Kieron Webb
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Complete film (02:00)
