Amateur Cine World (October 1934)

Notes and News from the SOCIETIES Bees ere ee Ske et | CINEMA ARTS FILM CLUB : i ses eee ee nS as ee eg I _ This new club is being formed in conjunction with the Troxy Cinema, North Road, Brighton, one of its objects being to present films of outstanding merit and quality, both silent and sound, many of which are not easily available to the general public. When possible, the choice of programmes will be left to the members of the club. It is proposed to show all the films on a 16mm. projector and there will be facilities for showing members’ films. Among the films scheduled for screening are ‘‘ The Hunchback of Notre Dame’’ (Lon Chaney), ‘The Golden Clown” (Gosta Eckman), ‘‘ The Last Performance ’’ (Conrad Veidt), ‘‘ Othello’’ (Emil Jannings) and early Chaplin “shorts.’’ For further information write J. C. Howe at the Troxy Cinema. Last October saw the birth of another American amateur cine club known as the J.P.I. Cinema League of Chicago. Honorary members are: Richard Barthelmess, screen idol of some fifteen years standing; Reginald Denny, English product of the screen; Norman Foster, also screen star; and the late Marie Dressler, the greatest trouper of themall. “One _ production has been completed with success, ‘On the Hoof,’ with many other travelogues of the Fair and so forth,’ writes the sponsor, Edwin Brooks. ‘‘ Plans were being laid for a two or three reel mystery production but were stopped owing to Miss Dressler’s untimely death. A very profitable trip was taken to a Century of Progress at the Hollywood-at-the-Fair exhibit where such stars as Mary Carr, of ‘ Over the Hill’ fame, Arthur Lake, of ‘Harold Teen,’ George Lewis, of ‘The Collegian’ series, and Johnny Harron, hero of a hundred ‘ silents ’ entertained us royally, showing all the professional equipment that goes into the making of a real production.” Rumour has it that a Canadian branch of the League will probably be inaugurated next winter. 16mm. is the size film used. For details as to membership and so on, address the secretary, Leo Brooks, 1454, South Harding Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. Solin se oe ato —--—----; CROYDON A.F.C. : J Croydon have made an alteration in their proposed schedule of productions given in our July report and instead of ‘‘ Minuit ”’ have been engaged in a film entitled, ‘“‘So This is Success.’’ Although only a comparatively short film it has been necessary to make a good many different sets but this was successfully accomplished and the film is now nearly complete. It has been possible to give nearly everyone in the club who wished to try their hand at acting a chance to do so as a number of small parts were available. On one or two occasions where crowds were necessary, surprised visitors found themselves dazedly going through actions under unpleasantly hot lamps without having time to protest ! Although produced as a silent film it is hoped to add sound later. Before the close of this film they hope to start on ‘ Shoot,” a film showing how amateur films are made. The club’s policy is to help groups of members to produce films and not to engage in one particular production. The group, of SE A leading player in an attractive setting in the Newcastle and District A.C.A. film, ‘“‘ Prize and Surprise.” course, shares the cost of the film stock and the club provides the equipment. This avoids members having to take part or help in a film which interests them little, for months on end. The new club room has become very useful, as making-up, the dispensing of refreshments, also lectures or meetings, can proceed there without disturbing the production of any film. “Tf any readers or any club would like to come along and see us we shall be very pleased to show them round and there is still room for those who would like to join us,’’ writes Miss F. Griffiths, the secretary, of 1, South Park Hill Road, Croydon. 326 t DERBY C.S. : a esd ts ste see ee ee ee eS — The society’s film, ‘“‘A Run for Her Money’”’ is nearing completion and by the time these notes appear will probably have already been shown—at the general meeting on Sept. 6th, at which there will be a re-election of officers. It is hoped to resume the fortnightly meetings in the near future. Please note the Secretary’s change of address—Miss .P. L. Smallwood, 165, Uttoxeter New Road, Derby. cee ee ee ee ee ey : DESMOND A.F.C. } Fae oe ee ee eetietioe tet De te 4 As announced in last month’s Amateur Cine World, this is a new club. The age of members ranges from 11 to 14. The first production will be ‘‘ Adventure,’ written by the leading lady, Miss Sybil Russell. Work on it has already begun. Suitable premises have been acquired at 42, Walworth Road, Hitchin, and members are invited to use them at any time they wish. There is a subscription of 2/6 per month and many more members are urgently required, particularly on the technical side. Through the kindness of the studio manager a tour round the B.I.F. studios at Welwyn has been arranged for the end of September. “We are greatly indebted to Mr. W. T. Roberts, of Luton,” writes Secretary H. G. Green, ‘for the loan of cameras, etc.’’ It is never too soon to begin amateur moviemaking, or indeed, any other worthwhile activity and we are glad to find so much evidence of a real interest in the hobby on the part of our younger readers. t ‘ FINCHLEY A.CS. ! Although no definite programmes are being arranged during the summer months, attendances at the studio on Monday evenings are good and have proved entertaining and instructive, one of the chief items being the ““rushes’’ of holiday films. Judging by those viewed to date the F.A.C.S. Holiday Film Competition will be well supported this year. The ‘Documentary Unit’ has again achieved notability by the completion of a film of the opening of the Finchley Children’s Bathing Pool by the Lord Mayor of London. At a ‘“‘command’’ showing of the film before the Council the Mayor of Finchley alluded to the film as ‘a historical record of one of our most successful functions,” and he went on to say they now looked on the society as an organisation that was establishing a series of records of the works of the Council. The forthcoming season’s programme is being compiled and promises many interesting and novel features. The film play units are gathering material for new productions, but the society still has work for experienced scenarists and a make-up man. Any readers interested should communicate with the secretary, E. E. Thompson, ‘‘ South View,” Hale Lane, Edgware, Middlesex. During the summer months the social side has been very active and outings have been arranged each month. Needless to say, the cameramen have been much in evidence on these occasions, a very complete record, both film and still, resulting.