Thelma Gutsche (7 January 1915 – 5 November 1984) was a South African filmmaker, film historian, writer, and arts patron, referred to as "South Africa's most accomplished early cinema historian" by a later film scholar.

[2] She earned degrees at the University of Cape Town in the Ethics, Logic, and Philosophy program.

Her dissertation was later published as a book, about which one scholar said, "As a detailed historical account of cinema up to 1940, there is nothing to rival it.

"[4] Before and during her doctoral program Gutsche wrote film reviews for The Forum and the Cape Times newspapers.

[5] During World War II and afterward, she wrote and directed documentaries and instructional films for the South African government.