The Cine Technician (1935-1937)

Dec, ig36-Jan., iq^; The Journal of the Association of Cine-Technicians 123 veloping later into the production of the required kind of subjects. Technicians and the industry as a whole would do well to study these pamphlets and think over their implications. S. C. ROTHA S PARADE Outside actual film libraries this book {Movie Parade, by Paul Rotha, The Studio Ltd., 10/6 net) is probably the most comprehensive record of cinema history in existence under one cover. Mr. Rotha has arranged his book in a semi-chronological order and deals with every phase of film production from Slapstick to Avant-Garde, from Drama to Fantasy, introducing each section with a brief resume of the subject. The amount of research necessary to produce this work must have been enormous, as is evidenced by a quick glance at the formidable list of acknowledgments, in which almost every big film company is represented. To the technician this book will serve as a reminder that modern conditions have not always obtained and that present-day motion pictures have their roots in such films of the past as "The Great Train Robbery" and "The Diamond from the Sky." Movie Parade is a pictorial history, illustrated by text, thus reversing the usual formula. That all too brief text leads one to hope that some day Mr. Paul Rotha will give us another volume, which will serve as a starting point for all newcomers to the Industry. Two illustrations from Movie Parade will be found elsewhere. T. S. Lyndon-Haynes. Reading Room and Library We now receive regularly the important British and foreign trade and technical press which are always available for members to read at the Association's headquarters. These include "The Cinema," "Daily Film Renter," "Kinematograph Weekly," "Cinematograph Times" and "Daily Studio Bulletin" ; "Photographic Journal," "Photography," "British Journal of Photogi^aphy," "Sight and Sound" and "World Film News" ; "La Cinematographic Frangaise," "Journal of Society of Motion Picture Engineers," "Motion Picture Herald" and "American Cinematographer." The following year-books may be consulted : — "Kinematograph Year Book," "Alliance Year Book," "Photographic Almanac," "Spotlight" (quarterly), "The Year's Photography," "Photography Year Book," "Le ToutCinema" and "International Motion Picture Almanac." Recent publications may be borrowed by members and include : — "Colour Cinematography" by Adrian Klein, "The Art of Film Production" by Andrew Buchanan, "Popular Television" by Barton Chappie, "Documentary Film" by Paul Rotha, "Soviet Cinema," "Star Turn" by Rene Clair, "Photography To-Day" by D. A. Spencer, "Film Production" by Adrian Brunei, "Movie Parade" by Paul Rotha, "Film Music" b}^ Kurt London, and Minutes of Evidence (volumes 1 and 2) taken before Departmental Committee on Cinematograph Films (The Quota Act). DRIVEN MAD BY HIS OWN GREATNESS. Star Turn by Rene Clair. Chatto cV Windus, 7/6 net. Written in 1925 before he achieved fame as a film director, but only recently translated into English, this book owes its appearance, so the author tells us, to the obligation to deliver a book in return for a generous advance of money by a rash and kind-hearted publisher. The story centres round Cecil Adams, the world's most famous film star, who conceives the brilHant idea of making a film with God as the hero and himself in the title-role, in order to escape the tyranny of becoming the characters he acts. The idea miscarries. Religions Inc. distribute the film and put religion on a sound business basis. Our hero ascends into Heaven, descends to purgatory, and finishes his days in a monastery. Some people won't like the book — that is obvious. Those who have no objection to its theme should hke this fhppant fantasy written in a style that will at least make them hope that another publisher will, by similar methods, if necessary, get another book out of Rene Clair. The preface, written this year, contains many shrewd observations which will amuse film technicians and — may set them thinking. G. H. E. Back Numbers There are a few back numbers of the Journal available, which may be obtained at 9d each, or 6d to A.C.T. members (lid and 8d post free, respectively). One or two bound copies of Volume One are available at 7/6. The Journal of the Association of Cine-Technicians PUBLISHED QUARTERLY (1st February. May, August, November). Editoral Committee: Sidney Cole, George H. Elvm, Kenneth Gordon Subscription Rate. 9d per copy ; lid post free. 3/6 per annum, post free. Special A.C.T. Members' Rates. (including A.C.T. Technical Abstracts monthly). 6d per copy ; 8d post free. 2/6 per annum, post free. Order through any A.C.T. Studio, Laboratory or Newsreel representative, any branch of W. H. Smith & Son, Ltd., or direct from The Association of Cine-Technicians, 30 Piccadilly Mansions, 17 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W.l.