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On joining the Empire Marketing Board’s film unit (run by Grierson), the young Elton quickly established himself as a leading figure in the emerging Documentary Movement. There he made the films ‘Shadow on the Mountain’ (1931), ‘Upstream’ (1932) and ‘Aero Engine’ (1934). As the decade progressed, and Elton went on to make films both for other state and for private sponsors. Famously he co-directed ‘Housing Problems’ (1935) with Anstey [qv], though this film should really be celebrated as the collective product of a unit rather than solely the work of its directors.

He later became Shell Film Unit’s [qv] consultant producer, an arrangement that arose out of Elton’s role at Film Centre [qv]. He had helped found and, following Grierson’s departure, was in overall charge of this organisation, an advisory and promotional body for documentary film-makers. Elton inculcated into Shell’s film personnel what he called his ‘First Law of Industrial Sponsorship’, namely that "The impact of a sponsored film upon its audience will be in inverse ratio to the number of times the sponsor insists on having his name mentioned". During this time, Elton produced Shell Cinemagazine. His credits include, ‘MR. TEDHAM MAKES A WHEEL’ in Shell Cinemagazine No.3 of 1939.

In 1940, Elton was put in charge of the Ministry of Information’s Films Division. From then onwards, his film work was almost always in a production rather than in a directorial capacity. Following the war, he returned to Shell for many years, producing work overseas as well as in the UK.

Sources

http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/513790/index.html; Accessed 12/12/2006: NoS Number 350393; Shell Cinemagazine Number 3; Date released 1939.