The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

182 CINE TECHNICIAN December 1956 Shorts and Documentary Section holds its FIRST TECHNICAL MEETING STEVE COX WRITES: The first of our technical meetings took place at the Crown Theatre, Wardour Street, on Thursday, November 29. The subject for discussion was " Twentyfive Years of Documentary — Forwards or Backwards?" with Edgar Anstey and Stuart Legg as our celebrities. We had a great send-off, for we had a packed house for a very interesting evening. The first film, Housing Problems, which was sponsored by the Gas Council and made by Associated Realist in 1935, was introduced by co-director Edgar Anstey. The second, Ordinary People, sponsored by the Central Office of Information, and produced by the G.P.O. Film Unit in 1941, was introduced by co-director Jack Holmes. The third, Atomic Achievement, made by Rayant Pictures in 1956, was introduced, in the absence of Director John Reeve, by Cameraman Sidney Samuelson. Then Stuart Legg opened the discussion. He was followed by Edgar Anstey; then came the freefor-all from the floor. The debate proved very lively and interesting, with the general feeling that Documentary Films should be about people and their ways rather than about things and inanimate objects. On behalf of the Committee and Sub-Committee I would like to thank all those members who attended for making the meeting the great success it was. I would also like to thank Edgar Anstey and Stuart Legg for their most helpful contribution. May I warn you that it is possible there wili be a change of meeting-place for our future gatherings. This may be Shell's Theatre at Shell-Mex House, in the Strand, where there is larger seating capacity. Bach from Baghdad 1 have now obtained news from Scriptwriter/Director John Rowdon, who is back from Baghdad, and now working with World Wide Pictures preparing for a film about the reforms in Italy, for the International Bank. John was in Baghdad when the Egyptian affair blew up and he tells me they were staggered and shocked when the news reached them, for although they were in the midst of things out there, the news came as a bolt from the blue. John — Rowdon that is, was to go to Syria on a coverage job, but the day before he was due to go the oil pipelines were blown up and his trip was cancelled. This meant a return to London, and he left Baghdad at 5 a.m. one morning, and John Armstrong was there to see him off. I gather there is one snag for TECHNICAL DISCUSSION Kdgar Anstey, Max Anderson and Stuart Legg When he arrived in London and found that half the country here was of their opinion, he was surprised, for the information they had received led them to believe that everyone was behind the action taken. I understand that John Shearman is out there and has obtained terrific trust among the Arabs in Iraq, and is continuing his series Our Country. Now for another John, yes, John Armstrong. He is out there still. With all these Johns, I wonder how they get on together in one tent, drinking their "sherbet". Probably they call themselves " Row ", " Arm " and " She ", so as not to get mixed up. Anyway, to get back to John " Arm ", sorry, Armstrong. He hasn't had much trouble and is going ahead with his proposed schedule. the boys in the Middle East. It is the lack of news from Britain. Perhaps a copy of the Journal would be a start towards filling the gap. Well, now that the festive season is upon us. I would like to wish all members a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. CINE TECHNICIAN Editor: MARTIN CHISHOLM Editorial Office: 2 Soho Square, W.I Telephone: GERrard 8506 Advertisemoit Office: 5 and 6 Red Lion Sq., W.C.I Telephone: HOLborn 4972