Documentary News Letter (1942-1943)

DOCUMENTARY NEWS LETTER JANUARY 1942 NEW DOCUMENTARY FILMS {Continued) only criticism of the film is that despite its technical skill and ingenuity some of it is on the dry side — but it must be remembered that in tackling the subject of Ideal government this was almost unavoidable; and the wonder is that so much of the him is free from this defect. Propaganda value. At a time when democracy, facing its greatest crisis, is gradually learning that its future lies in the closest possible fusion between central (national) planning and active regionalism, this him will be of immense propaganda value. All Those in Favour emphasises the necessity for local initiative and for the creative action of individuals within the local scheme, without which national planning becomes either a cipher or a form of dictatorship. It therefore has a direct appeal to all citizens who are determined that the post-war period shall be one not only of reconstruction but of absolute democratic progress. Thus within the limits of its treatment this him rates full marks for propaganda. War in the East. Production: Shell Film Unit. M.O.I. 5 minutes. Subject. The situation in the Far last after Japan's aggression. Strategic points, sea distances, and possible moves and counter-moves by the various forces are described. Treatment. Practically the entire film is composed of simple maps and diagrams, often with a lecturer pointing at relevant parts of the map or illustrating comparative distances with a ruler. The argument is succinctly and vividly expressed and remains fully up-to-date despite the fall of Hongkong. It is especially noteworthy that the whole film was made in eight days, from treatment to show-copy, and congratulations are due to the Shell Film Unit for its admirable teamwork, and to the M.O.I. Films Division for its foresight and speed. After seeing this film one is inclined once again to raise the plea for more of this sort — many of which could be made in rough form by intelligent anticipation and be ready for use in emergency. Propaganda value. This is just the type of in" formational film which the public surely, wantsFull marks. Main Street, U.S.A. Production: March of Time (No. 8, Seventh year.) Distribution: R.K.O. Radio Pictures. Subject: Made just prior to America's entry into the war, an analysis is made of her civil defence efforts, together with an attempted enactment of what life would be like for Americans if Hitler were able to impose his "New Order" there. Treatment. This is one of the most disappointing issues of "March of Time" for some while, utterly lacking in conviction, and to English audiences at least, likely to provoke considerable mirth. We are introduced to what is described as a "typical" American family. They are a pretty revolting lot and it is significant that in one of the two sync, dialogue sequences, the father and his eldest son — a corporal in the Army — can find no other subject of conversation than to attack trade unionism and denounce sti if everything else in the American social system was perfect. There-enacted sequence of what life would helike under Hitler is done rather in the style of an "Our Gang" comedy. Groups of self-conscious youths march round the streets trying to look tough and pretend to beat up harmless citizens. Their efforts culminate in raiding the headquarters of the "Loyal Order of the Moose." The suppression of this doubtless formidable body mav e\emplif> fascism in all its bestiality to an American, but over here it's just a big joke. The shooting all through is stagey and unrealistic, particularlv so when dealing with people, all of whom look extremely nervous and very conscious of the camera. Propaganda value. The film does very little to create a bettei understanding between the peoples of America and Britain and its "ideology" is very doubtful. At times one gets the impression— due to the unfortunate selection of types and what thev arc made to sav -that while America on no account wants Hitler's new order, it would not be averse to a form of American fascism, if onlv to deal with these damned labour agitators. And once that idea gets around it's going to start an awful lot of trouble. They Met in London. Paul Rotha Productions and British Paramount News. Producer: Paul Rotha. Photography: Jack Harding. Non-T. I I minutes. Subject. The 1941 meeting of the British Association. It is opened by Mr. Maisky, Dr. Wellington Koo, Dr. Benes, Mr. Winant and Anthony Eden. Then the association gets down to discussion of war and reconstruction. Young scientists say how much more could be done by pooling knowledge and equipment. Sir John Orr and H. G. Wells speak and Julian Huxley puts their difficulties in a nutshell. "It is no good planning for the post-war period if we don't win the war. That's obvious. At the same time, what's the good of winning the war if we don't plan the post-war period." Treatment. The film is produced jointly by Paul Rotha Productions and Paramount News, and it is pleasant to see some co-operation round the place, for however much the Newsreel Association shout their intentions of being 100 per cent behind the war effort, some members still won't co-operate to make films even if they are needed for the war effort. The film is a good example of a little goodwill and a little less profit-making. It is extremely well photographed and recorded. The sior\ is straight and clean. Propaganda Value. Very good for overseas. Celebrity appeal. Maisky, Wells, Sir John Orr. Huxley. Critical and progressive sentiments. effective. How to Thatch. Production: Strand. Direction: Ralph Bond. Photograph) : Charles Marlborough. Commentary: Freddie Grisewood. Associate Producer: Edgar Anstey M.O.I, nontheatrical for the Ministry of Agriculture. I I minutes. Subject. How to Thatch is another of the Ministry of Agriculture's first-class instructional films. In a pleasant simple fashion it shows how an expert goes about thatching a rick, round or rectangular. We are introduced to the expert, who looks a fine old boy. his young assistant, and a number of new phrases and expressions, the wisesl of which is "> calms" for the sections of thatching straw stripped out ready for laying. Treatment. The film is verv well made in a quite straight instructional vein, with plenty of close shots, good camerawork, and a decent human touch in dealing with the thatchcr and his assistant. Minor ca\ lis arc that the commentary is too stilted and unhuman in wording, so that it is a bit out of step with the human quality of the shooting; that it contains (obviously the M. of A.'s fault this) a fair amount of facts, figures and pronouncements that have very little to do with the film as it has been shot, and merely overbalance it. and that the commentator's voice is too obviously smart and townee for a film of this kind. But these are fairly minor points. instructional value. It is difficult to say what the instructional value o\ this anil similar farming films will prove to be. Obviously they are extremely pleasant for laymen and near-laymen to watch, and their general message is good, clear and useful, and that is justification enough. But whether this film, for instance, will persuade farmers to do their thatching better or tell them something they don't know already, I don't really know and should hate to guess. \a\ I ha. il Operations. Production: Shell Film Unit. ucer: Edgar Anstey. Direction: Grahame p. Diagrams: Francis Rodker. M.O.I. Subject. Naval Operations briefly des of the different units that make up battleships, cruisers, dest rovers, and illustrates the strategy and tactics i with reference to the sinking o\ tin and to the Matapan, Graf Spec ind othei Treatment. Technically, the him consists for the most part of animated diagrams illustrated from time to time with library shots. The diagrams are very well made, easj to follow and haveplenty of pleasantly swift tracks and pans to liven them up. The film, however, attempts to cover too much ground, with the result that it presents a somewhat scrappy appearance, with the function of some areas barely mentioned and the functions of some craft (submarines for instance) not mentioned at all. It might havebeen wiser to concentrate simply on one action ; but within its limits the film is well made. Propaganda Value. The film is sure to prove interesting to the general public, and no doubt the spreading of information of any kind can be considered an end in itself. \nvwa> it would be unfair to criticise a film which sets out to do no more than touch on certain aspects of naval tactics, for not dealing with the fascinating subject of sea-power. Three in a Shell Hole. Production: Mostilm News. Direction: Leonid Leonov. English Version and Dubbing Soviet War News Film Agency. M.O.I. 5 minutes. Subject. This is the fust Russian film to be shown as one of the M.O.I. 5 minuters. It tells of the work of one of the Soviet Red Cross girls in the front line. During a Russian counter-attack she is driven to take refuge in a shell-hole where she finds a Russian soldier wounded in the knee. Shepatches him up and then, with a German machinegun stopping her leaving, discovers a German doctor buried in the same shell-hole. She Icoks after him too and fetches water for both of them. As she prepares to go, the German doctor digs up his buried revolver and is about to shoot her when the Russian soldier shoots him instead, and the two Russians both rejoin the counter attack. Treatment. The film is nicely made in a plain realistic style. The production, sound and photography are all well done, and the girl herself is extremely good. She loots serious and sincere and goes about her business with a very pleasant and reassuring deftness and intensity. You feel that the whole thing means a great deal to her. that the war is really about something. (Continued on page 6)