Documentary News Letter (1944-1945)

DOCUMENTARY NEWS LETTER No. 3 1944 37 Forecast for Film Societies By H. Forsyth Hardy programmes. The Forgotten Village has made its longdelayed appearance. It does not carry the certificate of the British Board of Film Censors but this offers no hindrance to its private exhibition by societies. The association of John Steinbeck, Prospects for a film society entering its sixth pre-war French film, waiting for presentation, is Herbert Kline and Alexander Hackensmid has wartime season are not so arid as might Ramuntcho, a delightful story of life in the produced a film of compelling interest. I saw, have been expected. There have been two or Basque country, which was originally shown to about the same time a revival of Basil Wright's three materialisations of "the last film out of members of the Film Society in London. Song of Ceylon and thought how harmoniously France" (the term will not have currency much Of the Russian story films, notable have been the two films would share a programme, longer); new Russian films have been appearing The Childhood of Maxim Gorky, the first part Some film societies will want to make good the regularly during the summer; and experimental of the trilogy of which My Universities forms inadequate circulation given to Strange Incident work from other sources has reached a promising the third part ; and Baltic Deputy which, though (The Ox-Bow Incident). William Wellman's film volume. In this article I would like to discuss it reverts to the revolutionary period for its would make an excellent basis for an American the feature films which seem like to be available, inspiration, is fresh and stirring. Two composite programme. It is possible that a copy of Winterset Marcel Carne's brilliant film, Le Jour se Leve, films on Russia, made in America, will have may be available for revival, is still running at Studio One as I write but a special interest for film societies. The Russian Policy on revivals must take account of local ought to be available before the end of the Story includes excerpts from most of the best conditions. As I suggested in a previous article a season. Jean Gabin's performance in this film known Russian films and while its primary film society cannot fulfil its function as an advance and in Duvivier's American-made The Impostor purpose is to survey Russian history, it offers guard by only reviving old films; but part of its present an acute contrast in effectiveness and an a fascinating opportunity of glimpsing again function is to provide an opportunity for seeing analytic comparison of the films might be an some of the memorable passages in the work of again notable productions which have not been instructive exercise for film societies. Working Pudovkin, Eisenstein, and Dovjenko, among shown for some years. If a film society is recruitwith Carne on Le Jour se Leve were Curt other directors. A more ambitious film in the ing, as it ought to be, younger members, they will Courant and the late Maurice Jaubert, and the same style is The Battle of Russia, from Frank want to see the films they are constantly reading contributions of these artists should be noted Capra's series made primarily for the informa about. It is certain that high up on any list of by observers of the higher flights of film crafts tion of American Servicemen. The early se suggestions for revivals would be Un Carnet de manship. Duvivier's Heart of the Nation was quences of this brilliantly assembled and edited Bal, La Kermesse Hero'ique, and Mayerling, all of completed in Hollywood and has an introduction film lucidly survey the history, natural resources, which are available. In this connection Seeds of and commentary in English spoken by Charles and the people of Russia, while the remainder Freedom, an American-made adaptation of EisenBoyer. Its backward glance at French resistance of the eighty-minute picture is devoted to the stein's The Battleship Potemkin, should be noted, to German aggression over a century is some German attack, the Russian stands before The vulgarity of the dubbed dialogue is unparalwhat self-conscious and the weight of impending Moscow and at Leningrad and Stalingrad, and leled but the magnificence of the visuals is little catastrophe seems to have depressed' the spirit to the first campaigns which drove the Germans impaired. of director and players ; but it has many felicities eastward. Even in a notable series The Battle of In a later article I hope to discuss shorts and the of observation and direction and develops for Russia is outstanding and, on interest and merit, opportunities they offer for programmes comthe susceptible a bitter-sweet appeal. Another it ought to be given a place in film society posed on a theme. SOHO SQUARE Built in the reign of Charles II — the 'merry monarch' — and named after him King's Square. Residence of Charles' illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth, and therefore popularly known as Monmouth's Square. With this start it is hardly surprising that in the eighteenth century, Soho Square became London's centre of fashionable dissipation and profligacy, to which only the titled and wealthy had the privilege of admission. Of the White House, which stood at the corner of Sutton Street, Walford's "Old and New London" says "The character of this house can be inferred from the fact that it was the haunt of the then Prince of Wales, and the ruin of many a female heart dated from a visit within these walls. The premises are now in the occupation of Messrs. Crosse & Blackwells, the well-known pickle manufacturers. After this date, the Square gradually declined in the world— from fashion to philosophy, from artists to tradesmen, from shops to hospitals — until at length its lowest depth seems to have bqen reached." WORLD WIDE PICTURES LIMITED Have Removed to 10a, SOHO SQUARE Gerrard 1730-7-tt