The Cine Technician (1943 - 1945)

September— October, 1944 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN 97 W.F.A. Film School Tbe Lab. Committee selected Bro. W. G. Hilson to represent them at the Workers Film Association Film School held this year at Birmingham, from July 21st to 28th. Bro. Hilson writes in appreciation "for being given the opportunity of attending. A fine course of lectures and debates was arranged. Paul Rotha, in bis lecture, was convinced that co-operative societies should embark upon large scale film production. Mr. J. G. Crowther lectured upon '* the use of films for informing the public on tbe social use of scientific knowledge," and showed what interesting films could be made. Mr. Bernard Miles gave his views on " should an actor interest himself in the social contents of the film in which he is playing? " and *' should he endeavour to use his art as a contribution to social progress?" A discussion followed which was quite heated, 'especially upon tbe question being put "Do intoxicants improve acting?" Mr. Elvin, at short notice, gave the final lecture in place of Mr. Sidney Bernstein. I bad to return in London by the evening to carry out CD. luties, so I very unfortunately missed it. Thanks must go to Mr. Joe Reeves, Secretary-Manager of W.F.A. , for bis splendid organising and for m\ •njoyable stay at University House." It cleans efficiently ALL types of DENTURES The use of denture powder and brush for leaning artificial teeth has proved completely ;atisfactory in practice, and should become a regdar habit, especially after meals, in the interests )f hygiene and to prolong the life of the denture. iCOLYNOS DENTURE POWDER is as harmess to the new 'acrylic' and other 'plastic' lases as it is to metal and vulcanite, vet it •ffectivelv removes all food debris and stains, rom all chemists — 1/3. KOLYNOS DENTURE POWDER \1m>. where gum-shrinkage has affected the normal luction grip, KOLYNOS DENTURE FIXATIVE nakes false teeth fit firmly. — 1/3 & 3/3. CORRESPONDENCE Lear Sir, The monopolist tendencies within the film industry are causing no small amount of worrj to those of us in the Armed Forces. We feel our future is being loaded with hazards of the sort we thought we wife fighting to remove once and for all, along with other barbarous ideas. Maybe we have become too naive in our little fighting world, so far removed from the " natural " world of film executives. Our doubts ami tears were not lessened by Mr. Rank's joining the Board of Management of the Crown Film Unit. We bad been led to understand, you see, that Mr. Rank was so very " antiGo vernment-production." Imagine our bewilderment when a high-ranking official of tbe M.O.I. announces to the world (or lets it be announced) that " at the end of hostilities he is joining Mr. Rank" (who is so very anti-Government-production). What ate wt — all Alices ill Wonderland (Through tbe Moviola)? However, in spite of all this a new dawn breaks; a new "Shape of Things to Come" is released. The Cinematograph films Council gladdened the hearts of us silly boys in uniform by publishing their swan si mg He port . which came out so strongly against " monopolist tendencies." But this cleansing trickle through the Augean stables was damned by a Mr. Hugh Dalton (who made such a gentlemanly agreement with Mr. Rank, who is so very anti-Government-production) . Mr. Dalton thought it opportune to re-organise the Films Council. There was room for improvement — but bis method was to include the " tendencies " condemned. Judge, jury, counsel and accused have joined hands. What a delightful setup for everybody (except tis technicians and tbe Great British Public)! Cannot somebody tell Mr. Dalton that he seems to he delivering, or about to deliver, the coup de grace to the British Film Industry '.' He is a friend of Labour: surely be cannot: realise the part be is playing — "Salome." in the epoch-making drama of the century, "The British Film Industry's Struggle for Survival." It isn't the 6200,000— £800,000 films scheduled for six months to a vear and hogging all the floor space that are the essential. The £30,000-^660,000 productions with three months' schedule are tbe soundest foundation lor the quality and quant it \ which will give us a real healthy industiy . Yours fraternally. TE^ SERVING FILM TECHNICIANS.