The Cine Technician (1943 - 1945)

22 THE C I N E T E C H N I C I A N January — April, 1044 NEMA Festivity for the Kiddies The New Year heralded a day of mueh happiness for the many children of the serving members of A.C.T. It was their Christinas Party —just films, fun and buns. 20th Century Fox. Warner Bros., the Colonial Film Unit and the boys and girls of A.C.T. made the show go with a swing, and our Winifred Pearson with much hard work and lots of laughter consolidated our efforts at giving the children a good time. There were so many guests that the film show had to be given in two theatres, 20th Century Fox and the Colonial in Soho Square, E.K.O. with great kindness letting us have two copies of Pinnochio, which was received with loud acclamation. The parties were then shepherded to the Warner Canteen, which Mr. Max Milder had put at our disposal for the Christinas Tree and Party. A jolly clown greeted the .youngsters and handed them over to " Uncles " John Heddon and Roy Norman from Pathe, who entertained them with a ver\ fine conjuring act, their magic producing many exclamations of " It's up his sleeve," and other nerve shattering remarks; it was then discovered that Heddon's young son, who had been brought along to help, was amongst the audience explain ing how his lather's feats of magic were performed. Then tea, buns, cakes and sweets, the coupons for which were provided by the sacrifice of many of our members, a kindness much appreciated by the little ones. ' Uncles" and "Aunties," who included Gladys of the office and her mother, Mr. and Mrs. Craik of A.C.T., Seymour Logie of Rotha, Jock Gemmell of Pathe and George Elvin and Winifred Pearson soon had everybody served with tea, and then came the Tree with presents for all and Father Christinas, played by the writer, to give them away — if ever a man sweated ! And as we see our happy guests depart we strip the cloak of make-believe from our robust form, wipe the dripping make-up from our steaming countenance, and retire to the local to drink the health oi all those whose co-operation made the Party such a success. Strange News from Ivor Wire received from Ivor Montagu — " Sorry not back for General Council. Smartly uniformed ladies were wearing A.C.T. badges. When 1 claimed acquaintance they say it means Aberdeen Corporation Tramways and is very exclusive. ]■; this right?" Ivor should know he must always be introduced to strange young ladies through tliShop Steward, badge or no badg< . Fighting Troops Demand Newsreel From North Africa a British mobile kinems operator writes to the Kinematograph Weekh complaining that there are no up-to-date newsreels to show the troops. He says the firsl ques tion the troops visiting his show ask is: " IU\ you a newsreel?" All he has is some very ok. Pathe Gazettes of 1041 42, which he says he feeh almost ashamed to screen. ENSA are doing a good job but have inadequate resources for obtaining modern films. They in no way compare with the programmes provided by the American Red Cross which are up-to-the-minute. Surely the British Newsreel Association in return for the great facilities provided free by the Government Departments could arrange to produce once a week a tabloid reel for overseas troops. The small cost of tliicould be borne jointly by the M.O.I, and ENSA It would be very welcome to the troops who ar fighting abroad and would have a very powerful influence on morale, especially if plenty of hom i new s was included. There are two newsreels being made at the moment by the troops themselves — the Canadian Army Film Unit publish one a fortnight and the Norwegian Army Film Unit one every month, with a training or interest film in between. The Canadian reel is under the Deputy Director of Public Relations. Colonel Abel. Captain Gordon Sparling is Director of the Film Unit . and Lieut. Thorn and Lieut. Alt Tunwell, late of British Movietonews, are joint News Editor-. Lieut. N. Spencer is in charge of library and shipping and Sgt. Newhmds cuts. Thirty "battle