FilmIndia (1948)

FILMINDIA want to know what action has the Municipality or the Police already taken against those who stored celluloid in residential premises without a licence, or in excess of the quantity permitted by the licence if they had one. The Commissioner clearly says that if the storage is in a purely residential locality, the licence is generally refused, and that the precautions taken at present by the Municipality are adequate. He may be right in what he says, inasmuch as licences may not be issued by the Municipality for storing celluloid in purely residential localities. But is he sure that no celluloid is being stored in purely residential localities and premises? Has the Municipality ever made a search of the so many offices of film distributors situated in the thick midst of congested localities populated by thousands of people? If the Municipality believes those distributors to be so honest as not to store films without a licence, how can one account for the frequent fires breaking out in such localities whose origin is traced to film combustion? There is no doubt, something is rotten somewhere in the state of Denmark. It is not enough that the Municipality feels satisfied about the fact that it issues licences only after making full enquiries. It has also got to see to it that un-licenced film stock is not stored anywhere in residential premises and localities. With the meagre staff of inspectors that the Municipality employs, I am not prepared to accept that a pro August, 1 per inspection is ever being made in the matter, know how the Municipal inspecting staff is doing its all round. We have never heard of any inspector ing any one of the stinking stables that are know) the name of cinema theatres and compelling the pro] tor to maintain even the minimum cleanliness and h nic conditions demanded of him by law. We have n known of a Municipal inspector visiting any of the tiest, meanest, dingiest and disease breeding hotels, taurants and tea shops which stink worse than gut are darker than dens and filthier than public dust How could one expect, therefore, Municipal inspec to carry out surprise raids to find out if celluloi stored in places where it should not be stored? The Municipality has certain responsibilities to city and its residents. The Khaddar clad city fai would do well to realise in good time that the can no longer afford to indulge in the luxury of fires costing precious lives and resulting in enormous mage to property, besides rendering hundreds of ho people houseless at a time when housing is so scarce prohibitive for the city's half a million souls. Freq raids on suspected premises are likely to result in astounding discoveries. IN SEARCH OF SUCKERS ! Despite a section of incorrigible optimists within and outside our film industry who persist in ing us that another boom period is on its way to usher 1 c eres compact & STUDIOS/ ^ The new RCA Wire Recorder is simple to operate. Just plug in the recording cartridge, turn on the power, and make your recording. There are no tedious preparations: no wire-threading is required. Accurate, life-like recordings can be made by anyone. The recorder does not require critical adjustment nor a high degree ol operating skill. You can immediately play it back too — and as often as you please. The "dual wire" arrangement eliminates cumbersome rewinding. The RCA wire recorder is ideally suited to stars and studios for immediate play back of rehearsals. A complete package including Recorder, Microphone, and desk stand with half-hour cartridge Rs. 1,550/ only. Call on the nearest RCA office for demonstration. pi j i g a Previous programme is automatically | erased (if no longer required) as new programme is recorded. i ; Distributed Exclusively by PHOTOPHONE EQUIPMENTS LTD, (Affiliated with RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA! 1 MAIN OFFICES: 9. MARINE LINES, BOMBAY. Sronchet : 334, Sandhurst Bridge, Bombay. • 72, Queensway. New Delhi. 1/18. Mount Road, Madras. • 10. Old Court House Street. Calcutta. lfsy 10