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that effect upon us. But there was a gradual recovery and a sense of profound thankfulness that the war was 'really over/ The industry had enormously increased its prestige with the public, parliament and the press. It had played no small part in tranquillising things at home and inspiring national 'will to victory,' and that was earnestly acknowledged by the Prime Minister.
In the railway strike of that year all sides discovered the possibilities of mutual aid and it was generally felt that railways were undesirable as a means of film transport from the makers to the theatres, although the total let-downs during the strike were probably under five per cent. In December, 19 19, Will Barker announced his retirement from the industry after twenty-two years' work, and Jack Smith became managing director of Barker Motion Photography.
In February Stewart Rome — who had left us to join the forces — gave out the announcement that he would join the Broadwest stock-company on his demobilisation, and the London Film Company, who had suspended operations because nearly all their staff had been called up, recommenced producing on an elaborate scale. In March Violet Hopson — another of our early players — proposed to head a company of her own for film production. In April, 19 19, Hepworth Picture Plays Ltd. was formed, with a capital of £100,000.
Eileen Dennes joined the Hepworth stock-company in April and a very staunch and useful little lady she was from then to the end, and Leslie Henson 'succumbed to the lure of the screen.' Block booking was becoming more and more difficult in its effects but serious attempts to solve the problem were beginning to show signs of hopefulness. The agitation for state censorship of films raised its silly head over and over again, but under the skilled generalship of J. BrookeWilkinson the clearly efficient censorship imposed by the trade itself was demonstrated to be quite satisfactory and it persisted as it deserved to do, and it still persists.
Hepworth Picture Plays Ltd. made an issue on November 1st of £2,500 debentures, part of a series already registered, and again in December, 1920, of £10,000 similar debentures. It will I think be obvious that underneath the record of these things there must have been the heave and throb of big difficulties; a feeling of premonition of heavy trouble in store for us. There was a pressure in the air which we did not understand and we worked on as best we could in spite of it.
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