Documentary News Letter (1940)

DOCUMENTARY NEWS LETTER FEBRUARY 1940 11 FILM CATALOGUE OF THE. MONTH he Empire Film Library. (New Edition Sepimber, 1939.) Price Id. post free, from the nperial Institute, South Kensington, S.W.7. HIS CATALOGUE is an indispensable sevenennyworth for every teacher or social worker 'ho uses films. Since the 1937 edition was pubshed, borrowers have had to manage with suplementary lists printed on cumbersome galleyroof sheets; this new and complete list with its ell-arranged subject index is, therefore, opporine. An improvement in future editions would e some sort of loose-leaf binding to allow for the isertion of additional lists. In a short preface, the Director of the Imperial astitute contributes a note on the work of the ibrary and on its remarkable growth. During le last four years, the number of registered borDwers has increased from under two thousand to iree thousand five hundred ; on this basis, some undreds of thousands of children and adults lust see the Empire Library films each year. It is encouraging to find that considerable dditions have been made to the number of opies of those films most in demand. Nothing is lid, however, about the standards which govern le acceptance of films for inclusion in the .ibrary. Although, in general, experience shows that the level of films issued by the Library is extremely high, occasionally a film on an overseas topic is so completely lacking in film craftsmanship as to be valueless; such a film as The Gate of China is, in the reviewer's opinion, a case in point. An examination of the catalogue reveals, too, the presence in the Library of one or two films which will offend the educationalist through overstressed publicity. (It is a minor defect of the catalogue that the origin of many films is not specified.) Commercially sponsored films are permissible in the school cinema if the element of publicity in them is slight, and their positive educational value is great. The films issued by the Petroleum Films Bureau are one indication that some industries at least recognise the wisdom of creating instructional films free from a narrowly competitive spirit. But it must be admitted that a certain amount of undesirable advertising has, in the past, found its way into the schoolroom through the film. On these grounds, certain films off'ered by industry might have been gently but firmly refused. The Empire Film Library is a unique institution, and its new catalogue is a reminder of the debt of gratitude due to the Director from all those who seek to broaden the horizons of their pupils through films, slides and other visual aids. NON-THEATRICAL FILM LIBRARIES Note: Borrowers of films are asked to apply as much in advance as possible, to give alternative dates for bookings, and to return the films immediately after they have been shown so that others may make use of them. The terms of hire are liable to alteration with short notice. Educational & General Services, Little Holt, Merton Lane, Highgate, London, N.6. A very wide selection of silent films of all kinds, particularly of overseas interest, and a few sound films. A hire charge is made and prints may be purchased outright. 16 mm. Ensign Film Library, 88-89 High Holborn, London, W.C.I. Wide selection of all types of film including fiction, comedies, documentaries and films of geography, animal life and industry (many silent films). Some films may be bought outright. Hire charge: 2.?. 6d. a reel (first day), \s. a reel for each subsequent day. 16 mm. Kodak Ltd., Kingsway, London, W.C.2. (a) Kodascope Library. Silent films of every kind, instructional, documentary, feature, western and comedy. Strong on early American comedies — Harry Langdon, Reginald Denny, Stan Laurel and Chaplin, etc. Hire charge: 2s. 6d. per reel per day. 16 mm. and 8 mm. (A separate List of Educational Films, extracted from the above, is also published. A number of films have teaching notes.) (b) Medical Film Library. Circulation restricted to members of medical profession. Some colour films. A hire charge is made and some prints are also for outright sale. 16 mm. silent. Pathescope, North Circular Road, Cricklewood, London, N.W.2. Wide selection of silent films, including cartoons, comedies, drama, documentary, travel, sport and interest subjects ; also good selection of early American and German films. Hire charge : 2s. a reel silent, 2s. a reel sound, with reduction for extra days. Prices increased at weekends. 9.5 mm. Religious Film Library, 104 High Holborn, London, W.C.I. Sound films of religious and temperance appeal and a useful list of supporting films from other sources. Silent films are available. Hire charge : 3^. a reel (silent), 5.?. a reel (sound). 16 mm. Workers' Film Association, 145 Wardour Street, London, W.l. Some outstanding sound films of democratic and co-operative interest, with an excellent selection of films from other sources. Full notes and suggestions for complete programmes. Sound and silent. For sale or hire. 35 mm. and 16 mm. Sound-Film Services, 10 Park Place, Cardiflf. Library of selected sound films including Massingham's And so to Work and Pollard's Dragon of Wales. Rome and Sahara have French commentaries. In addition to specialised films some subjects of general entertainment nature. Hire charges : per reel ; first day 5^., subsequent days \s. 6d., weekend 5s. 6d. All 16 mm. Southern Railway Film Library, General Manager's Office, Waterloo Station, S.E.I. Seven silent films (one in colour) of a general nature, including Building an Electric Coach, South African Fruit (Southampton Docks to Covent Garden), and films on seaside towns. One film of Bournemouth on 9.5 mm. No hire charges made for approved borrowers.