The Cine Technician (1938-1939)

THE CINE TECHNICIAN Jan. Feb., 1989 CINEMA LOG By KENNETH GORDON The Workers' Film Association The end of 1938 saw the launching of the Workers' Film Association, at a conference and Mini display at Transport House presided over by Mr. EL E. Elvin, Chairman of the National Joint Film Committee. The purpose of this Association, which is under the management of Alderman Joseph Reeves and has its offices in the same building as A.C.T., 14"). Wardour Street, W.l, is to advise the democratic movements on film production, to establish a Central Library of films illustrating Labour's aims and objects, and to act as agents of all recognised film libraries in this country, so that film ( xhibitions can be given b\ Labour, Trade Union and Co-operative movements, with, I am sure, excellent propaganda results. Sub-standard sound projectors can lie hired or obtained on simple hire purchase terms from the Association, and some hire rates of talking films are as low as 5/— per reel. The Workers' Travel Association have already had a number of films made of their activities, including "Let's Have a Holiday" (Strand films). "'Across the Border," "Mediterranean Journey," and "Passport to Europe" (Realist Film Unit). The new Association was responsible for a film which was shown at the display, called "Advance Democracy," sponsored by the London Co-operative Societies' Joint Education Committees and produced by Ralph Bond for the sum of £000. This is the first of a series of five to be made for this body. Quite a good film, but in mj opinion one that would onlj appeal to the converted. Surely these films should be made to convert the middleclass to the cause of Labour. "Advance Democracy" would, in my opinion, tend to put their backs up. Providing the W.F.A. keeps clear of the amateur and remembers that propaganda must be subtle and not blatant, I think the establishment of the Workers' Film Association one of the finest moves of the Trades Union Congress has made towards modern propaganda. We look forward to seeing a fleet of mobile projectors to enliven street meetings, and we wish Manager Joseph Eeeves the very best of luck in this important venture. His know ledge of production and exhibition for the Royal Arsenal Co-opertive Society gives him the very necessary qualifications. I believe that the W.F.A. will only advise and negotiate for production at present, but as time goes on it may one day run its own production units, both in the 35 m.m. and 1() m.m. fields. You're Telling Us, Mr. Golden! That American pictures were the bread and butter of foreign exhibitors and that excessive nationalistic propaganda by foreign Governments through the medium of motion pictures is likely to arouse increasing irritation and resentment on the part of movie-goers abroad, was a statement made by Nathan D. Golden, chief of the Motion Picture Division of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, at a conference in New York recently. He stated that 70 to 80 per cent, of the world's screen time is occupied by American films, and that 40 per cent, of all revenues received by American film producers for their products are derived from foreign markets. "During the first nine months of the present year," he said, "not less than 14o million feet of American motion pictures were rn to foreign countries . . . Europe being by far the best market in point of dollars and cents returned, and Latin America the best measured by footage consumption." The main problems of the American film industry to-day, in his view, are foreign government restrictions, high taxes, exchange control, tightening censorship, and a growing national tendency to coddle local film industries abroad. Directing attention to various foreign censorial idiosyncrasies. Mr. Golden mentioned that all kissing scenes are prohibited in Japan, spy plots are banned in Rem. any film suggesting cruelty to animals is taboo in England, and Greece bans movies that are even remotely connected with movements of social revolt (even the 150year-old French Revolution is barred). He did not mention political censorship, but no doubt The March <tf Time could mark his cards. Where To Spend Holidays With Pay To those young people who have holidays about August 5th to 20th, a trip to the North of France at a cost not exceeding t(j for a fortnight, inclusive of fare from London, seems a very exceptional offer. The London Youth Council of the National Union of Clerks proposes to organise an International Youth T.C Camp near Paris. If you are interested let the ACT. office know at once. Ccle For Parliamentary Honours Sidney Cole, the well-known cine-technician, and one of the Associate Editors of this Journal, has been adopted as the prospective Labour candidate for St. George's. Westminster. He will oppose Duff Cooper in the coming General Election. I am sure we all w ish him well, whatever our personal politics may be. It will be a tough fight but then Sid Cole is a tough lad, and the more representation our industry can have in the "House" the less likelihood there is for stupid legislation to be passed to affect adversely the lives of cinema workers. Shaw Jones Marches On Shaw Jones, the Newman Camera expert, has opened new and extensive premises at 59, Shaftesbury Avenue, W.l, known as the London Photographic Centre, where besides running his cine camera hire service he has a number of ultra modern darkrooms, fitted with sinks, dishes, enlargers, etc., in which photographers can carry out tests, experiments, or develop and print their stills. Each of these darkrooms is fitted with its own telephone for the convenience of clients. The services also include the use of drying cabinets, glazing machines, trimmers, thermometers, clocks, dishes and comprehensive washing facilities, all for the remarkably low price of 2/6 per hour. Photographic chemicals and papers are all kept in stock, and a reference library which also contains current photographic Journals is at the disposal of photographers using the Centre. The writer, who was personally conducted over the plant, was very much impressed. Shaw Jones is supplying a long felt want. Technicians know that they can always be certain of the excellent condition of any of the fleet of Newman cine cameras to be hired from the London Photographic Centre. These are all checked by Shaw Jones, who as everyone knows is a first-class cameraman himself. Thus they are always in perfect order for the free lance cinematographer. To have perfect confidence in the apparatus one uses is a sure step fo better British pictm-cs.