The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

September 30, 1931 THE BIOSCOPE 21 the baton of our old friend Louis Levy, did justice to some of the finest music I have ever heard. It says something for Mr. Gell’s confidence in the sound recording of “ Hindle Wakes ” that he dared to accustom his audience to such perfect music immediately before switching on to “ canned.” I am not reviewing " Hindle Wakes ” here, you will find that on another page, but if I may give my own opinion, it is the best British film to date, because it is a gripping real-life story about real people. I hope Michael Balcon and W. J. Gell will conspire to give us some more of this calibre. Ghost Train Always Under Steam Incidentally if you were unable to see ‘‘The Ghost Train” and happen to be in Wardour Street, Jeffrey Bemerd, of W. & F., has thoughtfully arranged that the film can be run through for exhibitors in the G.-B. theatre film house at any time. Films In Lord Mayor’s Show If there must be a Lord Mayor’s Show in these hard times, I wonder why not include an exhibit showing the evolution of the film industry. I am thinking of something on the lines of a comparison between the early open-air shots with a hand camera and present-day studio craft with its elaborate trappings and sound recording appurtenances. The public would not get the slightest idea, technically, of what was supposed to be going on, but the millions who watch this panoply of traditional make-belief must include a large number of film-conscious people who would be intrigued by an exhibit of this kind. It is significant that the only kind of representation the film industry has ever secured in the Lord Mayor’s pageant was that cleverly contrived by the Fox Publicity Department last year. This publicised “ The Big Trail ” — an American film I Question And Answer While I have all my journalistic life been swearing at indexes and reference files, it appears the M.-G.-M. have been swearing by them for much the same period. But their enthusiasm for a system which has often reduced me — and doubtless many a better man — to metaphorical tears, can be perfectly understood, so long as they have such a gem of reliability as Mrs. Nathalie Buckthall to control their filing cabinets. What a woman, and what an organisation ! Ask her what were the precise colours in Jacob’s coat ; what was William the Conqueror’s favourite breakfast ; what is the correct formal procedure when introducing oneself to a savage chief of known cannibalistic tendencies and she has all the answers ready. With a permanent staff of three, Mrs. Buckthall is able to keep tabs on — well, just everything, and tucked away on her card indexes you’ll find enough information to check up on any picture to be produced between now and the last trump. Taking Back English Backgrounds When I chatted with her in Sam Eckman’s offices the other day, Mrs. Buckthall was explaining how her system works, with its host of technical advisers retained to okay films of divers natures. So that it is more the cause of wonder that errors do even so appear occasionally in M.-G.-M. films. If EXHIBITORS— BEWARE ! An individual whom the police are hopeful of tracing very shortly is calling on Provincial Exhibitors collecting 5/6, which he represents as a special subscription rate to " The Bioscope,” He has already victimised a number of exhibitors, including several regular readers whose renewals had just fallen due. No persons other than our regular territorial representatives are authorised to collect “Bioscope” subscriptions pending further notice in these columns. my recollection had been accurate enough I might have reminded her of a certain wonderful Thames-side seascape in " Way for a Sailor,” but I’ll bet she would have had an answer for me. She’s like that, a very self-possessed and business-like young woman, though none the less charming and vivacious. At present Mrs. Buckthall is officially holidaymaking — though she confessed it was largely a " busman’s holiday.” Mrs. Nathalie Buckthall in her M.-G.-M. Research Bureau She will go back with a fresh load of material for those already heavily-burdened filing cabinets, and there will be less excuse than ever for anything that is not authentic in M.-G.-M. pictures with British backgrounds. Mill Owner Exhibitor In the company of R. L. Sheridan, sales manager of Gaumont, the other day, I was introduced to an interesting personality from the top half of Ireland in Mr. McMeekin, proprietor of the Doagh Cinema, Doagh. Mr. McMeekin is by way of being a man of some weight, but whether this fact is related to his interest in the exhibiting field or to the fact that he has large associations in the Irish linen industry was left to me as a matter for conjecture. I was told to get ready to welcome a newcomer to the field, as Mr. McMeekin’s son is apparently more interested in the entertainment industry than linen, and will probably be going into full-blown proprietorship very soon. What Fleet Street Says — And Does Quite sound and sounding matter by one Paul Schofield in yesterday’s Daily Express conveyed advice to Britain “ not to imitate Hollywood, but to profit by the lessons she has learned and the payment she must make for the most colossal folly and extravagance in the history of any business.” Same article was illustrated by a picture captioned ".Making a sound film at Elstree.” The picture shows Sinclair Hill directing Anne Grey and Horace Hodges in P.D.C.’s “ Other People’s Sins.” It was taken at Cricklewood. The Daily Express should not imitate America, but it might learn something from the trade press. Exhibitors Something For Nothing — At Last Tacit recognition that it is time exhibitors had something worth having -without being expected to pay for it, comes from the Board of Trade. Yes, in these days of cutting and cussing ! J. H. Phillips, the man who watches the trade through the official keyhole and who, though thousands in the trade do not know him, has an amazing knowledge of everybody and everything in and around the industry, sends me a free copy of the new Official Exhibitors’ Return Book, complete with Board of Trade stamp. In future this book alone will be used by exhibitors in which to enter the details necessary to prove their quota. OBSERVER A glimpse of romantic London — Covent Garden in business hours — for inclusion in the Twickenham production “ Murder At Covent Garden,” for W. & F. release