Amateur Cine World (March 1936)

HE Third Scottish Amateur Film Festival took place in Glasgow on January 17th and 18th, Mr. John Grierson adjudicating. The Saville Cup, which is awarded annually for the most outstanding film shown at the Festival, was gained by ‘‘ Cement,’’ entered by the Finchley Amateur Cine Society. The prize of £10, presented by ‘‘ Amateur Cine World,’ was divided between “‘ Happy Day,” by T. Lawrenson, Dundee, and ‘‘Colour Cocktail,”” by Wm. N. McLaren, Stirling. A full list of winners is given below, together with very brief extracts of salient points of Mr. Grierson’s criticism. Class A. Story Films by Clubs. Prize Money, £10 (presented by the Scottish Daily Express). Divided between ‘“‘ Glencoe Legend’”’ (Meteor Film Producing Society) —‘ good story, continuity, photography, direction and fair acting. Bad point that it depends on sound to make its dramatic point ’’—and “ Preparatory Class ’’ (Uddingston Grammar School Film Society, Glasgow) —‘ striking example of how local and thus cheap and readily available material could be exploited.” Class B. Interest Films by Clubs. Prize Money £10 (presented anonymously). Divided between ‘‘Cement’’ (Finchley Amateur Cine Society—also won the Saville Cup)—“ well photographed and well cut; film had been well prepared before shooting began ’’—and “‘ Rosengarten’ (Godiva Film Group, Coventry)—‘ photography superb, but no central theme ’’—in the proportion of six to four. Class C. Films by individuals in Scotland. Prize Money £10 (presented by Amateur Cine World). Divided equally between Scottish Film Festrva/ “Happy Day” (T. Lawrenson, Dundee)— “has advantage of use of cheap local material; PAYA AAV AIA UU") John Grierson SAWS os The amateur cine movement has risen from the exchange of domestic felicities to a definite role in the growth of civic consciousness—an important sign of the times. * * * A“ go-as-you-please’’ attitude is not now good enough. Subjects must be thoroughly prepared in advance and the habit of observation, which makes the man behind the camera, trained. * * * The key to all amateur work is to concentrate on things that are cheap. Spare time costs nothing and local knowledge and the knowledge of one’s friends can be exploited, with the result that few difficulties will lie in either theme or continuity. —Pointers from John Grier son’s speech at the Scottish Amateur Film Festival. AYLPWAAPIAAAAAAA? PEW AUAMUAAMAIVAIA AMAA MANA1 BAA AMAA A AAA 21 only complaint that boy so well-behaved ; sure-fire acting appeal’’—and ‘‘ Colour Cocktail’? (Wm. N. McLaren, Stirling)— “Sensation of the Festival; Mr. McLaren shows that he knows more about trick work than 99 out of 100 professionals ; an example of what amateurs can do at little cost.” Class D. Sound Films. Prize Money £10 (presented by Sight and Sound). Awarded to ‘“ Miracles Still Happen ’’ (Manchester Film Society) (only entry)—‘‘ Award made grudgingly. Film made with professional competence but spoiled by facetious commentary and background of jazz music. Weary business of story in catalogue form.” Additional awards of £5 were. made to ‘Pes Cavus’’ (Broome House Studios, Manchester) and “Sheep Dipping’? (Wm. Kirkness, Edinburgh) by World Film News and Cinema Quarterly for lucidity in documentary. “Happy Day’ and ‘Cement’ were two of the winning films in the I.A.C. contest. An audience of 800 attended the public screening of the finals in the Lyric Theatre, where the two hours programme was run without a hitch. A Bell and Howell 1,000 watt projector was used, with a 12ft. by oft. beaded screen. The adjudicator afterwards spoke for over half an hour, criticising each film shown and referring to meritorious features in others which had not survived the preliminary rounds. The whole affair was organised this year by the Amateur Cinematography Panel of the Scottish Film Council and proved entirely successful. _and now WOR With Taylor Hobson Cinar f/2.8, 1 in. anastigmat £18. Is . O etitions, Lawrenson, M ¢: ECATD pea with an ENS a REMIER caken given che Movie hase he Home cine AWARD , «Amer a = Section © > Amateur matograP Contest. Proof Positive of the Merit of the ENSIGN KINECAM ENSIGN Limited, HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON, wW.c.1. 572