Celluloid : the film to-day (1931)

70 CELLULOID associated with the policy of the scheme. Lectures, demonstrations and exhibitions could be arranged to meet the wishes of these more serious filmgoers; and for reference in the future, an information-bureau and file of still-photographs should be begun under proper supervision. Affiliated to this central cinema, the various provincial film societies would be certain of a regular supply of interesting programmes (which is their present difficulty) as well as the advantages of interchange of opinions and lectures. In this way — which is, of course, the policy originally laid down for the Film Group but not at the moment of writing fulfilled — a definite cultural centre of cinematography such as exists nowhere in the world would be begun in England which, moreover, would secure for the future much intensely valuable information which is difficult to obtain even to-day. The widespread lack of knowledge with regard to films of the past, their hire, history, condition and whereabouts, tempts me here to stress the immediate importance of taking stock of what the cinema has already accomplished in its comparatively short span of life. The time is at hand when the achievements of cinema should be recorded whilst they are still fresh in our minds. It is surely a matter of much urgency that we should document this great medium which is developing so rapidly before it has passed altogether from its primitive stage. In this respect but little help is forthcoming from the Press, for all but a scanty few writers are uninterested in the development of the cinema, being content to describe