Documentary News Letter (1944-1945)

50 DOCUMENTARY NEWS LETTER No. 4 1944 The "Cinemette" (continued) as Mr. Elton suggests, the reflection of local activity in provincial journals and parish magazines. In fact, it may be confidently predicted that almost every pursuit of man that is at present served by a periodical, will be catered for on the screen. Though this new arm of the cinema will have rent, maintenance and contributors to pay, it cannot be classed as commercial — for the single essential reason that its production will not be geared to the lowest common denominator of public intelligence. It will be free to attempt without interference — indeed with encouragement — high levels in technique and in material. In the latter, at any rate, it will shame its prostitute parent into reforming herself a little. Box-office competition will soon awaken the interest of Hollywood and her imitators. Will the cinemette be good box-office? Consider the thousands of people who comprise the membership of film societies ; go to the theatre ; belong to progressive organisations; read good books; in short, who aspire to independent thinking. Surely there will be found among these more than sufficient to build a steady clientele for the cinemette. It is a platitude now to repeat the great benefit man has derived from the printed word. His debt to the photograph is usually underestimated ; but it is, comparatively speaking, almost as great. Letter from Pudovkin (by kind permission of Roger Bur ford) DEAR MR. BURFORD, I am very glad to see that you are really in earnest about acquainting us with the various schools of British documentary films. I shall certainly make a point of seeing all the films you have mentioned at the Cinema Committee, and to have Eisenstein and Gerasimov join me in this. We shall arrange for a showing of the scientific films just as soon as you send them to VOK.S. If you will only furnish me with the necessary material, I undertake to acquaint our Section with the productions of the leading British documentary directors. 1 could illustrate my report with certain of the films. When do you expect to receive The Way Ahead1. To judge by the reviews, this film ought to be particuterly interesting to us. The remark that "the film is based on an idea, and nothing but an idea" as contrasted with "a 'vehicle' for some contract star" makes me very impatient to see it. Its theme — "How, in time of war, an individual becomes a member of a corporate body" also promises to be interesting. And when I read the following words about the cast : "Bless their hearts, I had forgotten they were actors" — I was all the more convinced that this must be a significant and serious piece of work. Thank you very much for the book and for your kind attention to my interests other than those in cinema art. I also enjoyed reading the reviews you sent. Once more, I shall be waiting impatiently for your material on the leading schools of British documentary directors. Yours sincerely, v. PUDOVKIN DATA , DONALD ALEXANDER MARY BEALES RONALD BICKER ARA CALDER-MARSHALL JACK CHAMBERS BUDGE COOPER GEOFFREY GABRIEL FRANCIS GYSIN LESLIE SHEPARD WOLFGANG SUSCHITZKY announce the formation of a new unit to produce films on social themes in the tradition of Documentary DOCUMENTARY TECHNICIANS ALLIANCE LTD 21 SOHO SQUARE LONDON Wl GEIRRARD 2826 donald Alexander Secretary Geoffrey Gabriel Production Manager