Film and TV Technician (1957)

February 1957 FILM & TV TECHNICIAN 25 Geneva and Havana Agreements on Tariffs and Trade. Our concern is not with these Conventions, but with providing the means for a big expansion of the British film production industry, and if G.A.T.T. prevents this, it is up to the Government to get tough. France and Italy are parties to G.A.T.T. but their Governments can find ways and means to help their film industries. Why can't ours? Up to AH of Us By the time you read this article the debate in the House of Lords will have concluded, and the Bill will have had its third reading. Now it will go to the House of Commons for the same procedure. It is important that every effort be made to challenge in the Commons the Government's arbitrary attitude. So please write or, better, see your M.P. Even if you don't like writing letters this is the one occasion when your own personal interests are vitally affected. It's up to all of us. Death of Percy Hermes The sudden death of Percy Hermes wili come as a shock to all who knew his lovable and amusing personality. Percy entered the industry with Henry Edwards at Teddington Studios in 1931, remaining when Warner Bros, took over. When war broke out he joined Launder-Gilliatt Productions as their Permanent First Assistant Director, and remained with them for many years. Of late he had been engaged on work for Douglas Fairbanks Productions. During his twenty-five years in the studios he had amassed credits on nearly three hundred productions. His son Douglas, also an Assistant Director, to whom we extend our deep sympathy, carries on the tradition. He has been set high standards by the respected and popular Percy who will be sorely mis'sed in those places where pictures are made with an occasional laugh as well as with keen efficiency. U Shorts and Documentary Section FILMS WE MAKE" STEVE COX WRITES : I am sure that our Section Committee and all the members who have attended will agree that our shows on the Films We Make are giving great satisfaction. Our second show. People, Not Things, at the Mezzanine Theatre, Shell Mex House, was even better attended than the first. The first film shown, Thursday's Children, was introduced by Director Guy Brenton, who also wrote the script. He explained how, unsponsored, the Unit set out to portray the teaching of deaf children, whose ages range from four to seven years, and how, when funds were exhausted, Jimmy Carr of World Wide Pictures stepped into the breach and sponsored the film through the editing, dubbing and final stages. Guy went on to say that the film won an Oscar in 1954. It represented Britain at the 1954 Venice Festival and was awarded a prize in Edinburgh. Yet after all this the big circuits refused to book it. However, eventually it was booked and shown at the Granadas. The second film, Continuous Observation, was written and directed by Margaret ("Tommy") Thomson for Basic Films and sponsored by the Ministry of Health for the training of nurses in mental health. For Nurses "Tommy" introduced the film, explaining that it was made specially for nurses dealing with the care and treatment of patients suffering from psychosis. The film showed the early experiences of a young nurse training in a hospital for mental cases. A very lively discussion followed the showing of the films. In the course of this the view was expressed that apart from sponsorship and distribution, both, of course, important factors, the script is vital, and to make good films more time is needed at the treatment and script stages. Also, it was urged, films should contain the human element because people are interested in people, yet there is a vast number of productions churned out with a monotonous voice, droning on and on. Well, now I know that if and when I ever become a Producer — no comments, please! — I shall want a good sponsor, give my director plenty of time on the treatment and script, not too long, though, and I shall want good distribution to get the sponsor's money back. On behalf of the Committee I would like to thank all those who attended and made the show the success it was. Rushed to Middle East Now for an item of news. I recently met Director George Sturt, who was out in Ceylon for four and a half years working for the Ceylon Government. Two months after his return here he was lushed off to the Middle East to direct Jack Howell's picture Journey from the East. Jack wrote the script and produced the film, Cyril Arapoff was Cameraman, and Terry Trench was the Editor. I believe these have been mentioned in this column before, so I will add that Jack, who was in hospital is back in his producers' chair. Cyril is due back from the Gold Coast shortly and Terry, to my knowledge, is ^till basking in the Australian sun. Cover Still Jimmy Edwards, as Harris, in Three Men in a Boat, gets tough with a Zoo parrot. L Still by Ray Hearne. FILM & TV TECHNICIAN Editor: MARTIN CHISHOLM Editorial Office: 2 Soho Square, W.l Telephone: GERrard 8506 Advertisement Office: 5 and 6 Red Lion Sq., W.C.I Telephone: HOLborn 4972