FilmIndia (May-Dec 1938)

Our Institutions AMATEUR CINE SOCIETY OF INDIA A very progressive Society, which is doing all in its power to give its members good value for their money in the way of interesting lecture-demonstrations and outings, is the Amateur Cine Society of India, Mherwan Building, Sir Pherozshah Mehta Road, Bombay. Inaugurated but a year ago, the Society has, besides a growing membership role, its own premises, comprising a projection room, work room and two projectors. The membership is divided up into three sections, namely Life Members. Ordinary or Camera Members, and Associate or non-camera members, including those in outstations. This arrangement strikes us as being very good, as it encourages all the departments needed for the production of a film, namely cameramen, writers, artists, actors and directors, and also affords an opportunity to those who. unable at the moment to run a cine camera, are yet anxious to get an insight into this interesting hobby against the day of their getting one. VISUAL EDUCATION SOCIETY The Hon. Mr. Sampurnanand, Minister of Education, United Provinces was entertained on the 29th August at the New Era High School on behalf of the Visual Education Society. Principals, G. B. Jathar, and Vyas, Professor Beri and Mr. K. S. Hirlekar par Devika Rani in "Vachan" a Bombay Talkies picture at Roxy Talkies, Bombay. ticipated in the discussion on the recognition of the film as an educational medium for imparting instruction in schools and colleges. The Hon. Minister gave them a patient hearing and after a very pleasing entertainment was shown some educational films by the Society. As a result of this discussion, it is likely that the Government of U.P. will seriously think of the introduction of the films as a medium of instruction in their province. MOTION PICTURE SOCIETY OF INDIA The Society is in deep mourning owing to the sudden and unexpected death of its president Sir Phiroze Sethna. During the month no fresh activities are reported beyond the publication of the Indian Cinematograph Year Book, of which we have already written a review in the previous issue. The election of the office-bearers for the coming year has been gone through with the following results: — Sir Phiroze Sethna, President (since dead), Rai Saheb Chuni Lall, Vice President, and the following members on the Executive Committee: — Messrs. M. B. Billimoria, Chimanlal B. Desai, B. D. Bharucha, V. G. Motwane, B. M. Tata. Chandulal Shah, P. C. Subedar, C. R. Gvalani, S. R. K. Rao, L. T. Shivdasani, P. C. Kapadia, Chottubhai Desai, and M. A. Fazalbhoy. Messrs. Shivdasani and Bharucha were elected as Hony. Secretaries, for the year. THE INDIAN MOTION PICTURE PRODUCERS' ASSOCIATION At the meeting held at the Executive Committee on the 1st September the Association decided to recommend to the Government the appointment of an Indian secretary to the Board of Film Censors. The letter from Mr. F. J. Collins, publisher of the Motion Picture Magazine expressing regret to the Association for certain articles which appeared In the said magazine in the past was accepted by the Association and a permission was granted to the publisher to take advertisement business from the Indian producers. As a further gesture of courtesy, the Association warmed up and went to the length of allowing its Secretary Mr. Ram L. Gogtay, to edit the said paper on the understanding that his own tiny publication "The Lighthouse" should cease thenceforth. Why the Association should worry about all this, we cannot understand. On the 8th September a combined meeting of the producers, distributors and the exhibitors, was held at the Film City to discuss the problem of producing newsreels for India and making them a part and parcel of the entertainment programmes at our Cinemas. After a lot of discussion and consideration, objections raised by the Sholapur exhibitor Mr. S. G. Patwardhan, matters were left in suspense merely with an expression and the desire of producing newsreels. For the first time the Association introduced politics into its business by condemning the attitude and remarks by certain Marathi papers about Mahatma Gandhi. Printed and Published by D. K. Parker at New Jack Printing Works, 75, Apollo St., Bombay 1 for Filmindia Publications Ltd.