Focus: A Film Review (1950-1951)

191 Letters to the Editor Two Endings Sir, Re E.’s review of Les Amoiireux Sont Seuls an Monde in your May issue, k I saw this film shown in Paris with * two endings, one after the other. The first was the true ending, where composer remains infatuated and wife commits suicide. It was authentic and very moving. The second, captioned as devised for countries requiring a happy ending, was that of which E. writes. It appeared a false volte face from the rest of the film (of which E.’s review is fair enough) . I think it better to deplore a tragic offence against God’s law than to be offered something devised for superficial conformity with Christian morality. In am case the real opposition in the two endings was that between French idealisation of love and Anglo-Saxon common sense. Yours faithfully, A. McKee. Paris. + Hollywood’s Homage to the Rosary Sir, We were interested to read the account of Father Peyton in the April number of Focus, and I have thought that the enclosed report from Blackpool may be of interest in showing the tremendous power of the Rosary films which were produced by Father Peyton. “During the month of March the people of the diocese of Lancaster had I a new experience of the cinema, an experience that has proved the religious film a “best seller”. Father Peyton’s three Rosary films — The Road to Peace, The Joyful Hour and The Triumphant Hour — are not amateurish efforts, but the finest Hollywood productions. Here are seen the Stars— Bing Crosby, Ann Blyth, Don Ameche, Ruth Hussey, Pat O’Brien — not only acting in the moving scenes of the mysteries of the Rosary, but also doing it from conviction to bring to the notice of the world a practice that they have established in their own homes . . . the Family Rosary. “In this area of Blackpool and the Fylde we have had ample opportunity of witnessing the effect of these films. St. Cuthbert’s Parish has its own projector, and so each evening and most afternoons during the past three weeks a priest has been out with the films showing the whole of this two and a half hour programme in cinemas, parochial halls and schools. There is no sign of the rush abating. “The story is one of packed audiences all the way. One priest had to switch from his hall at the last moment and use his church, so great was the press of people. Audiences have been spellbound. One child (a non-Catholic) was given a piece of chocolate, but the chocolate was never eaten. It melted away as the enthralled child watched the " Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. One whole family — typical of the ordinary families in the town— has been seen at every performance in the district, and they are not finished yet. Non-Catliolics love it as much and more than do our own people. One nonCatholic lady who had done a hard day’s work stood for two and a half hours and said that she had enjoyed ever}' minute of it. “Such instances are typical of the reception that these films have received everywhere, and are an indication of the great persuasive power of these beautiful films to bring the Rosary to the home. The general reaction is that for the onlookers the Rosary will never be the same again, for it will have an even greater depth of meaning in the future. No greater tribute could be paid to the efforts of all who contributed to the success of the Rosary Films.” With every good wish. Yours sincerely, Fr. O’Niell, Secretary. Bishop’s House, Cannon Hill, Lancaster.