Home Movies and Home Talkies (Jun 1932-May 1933)

180 HOME MOVIES & HOME TALKIES EDITOR'S NOTE.— " Home Movies" will be glad [to publish each month particulars of the activities of the British Cine Societies and their future plans. We must apologise to a number of societies for the omission of their reports, which arrived too late for publication. For inclusion in our next issue reports should reach the Service Manager not later than 15th Oct. "Stills" suitable for publication are welcomed ACE MOVIES. Business Manager, H. R. Hughes ; Hon. Secretary, Miss Molly Wix. la, Madeira Road, Streatham, S.W.16. This society did extremely well in I93I, winning a bronze medal at the Brussels International Cin6 Contest with their film " Delirium " and The Era Challenge Cup with " The Kris." They are now Hearing completion on " Resthaven Cottage," story and scenario by Geofirey Collyer, who was responsible for the story and direction of " The Kris," photography by Horace R. Hughes ; direction by Ben Carleton. Ace Movies claim that this film will set a newstandard in amateur production which their friendly rivals will find it difSeult to reach. " Nightsong," a study in London night life, has just been completed, and shooting has been commenced on " Vox Populi," directed by Messrs. Endersby and West, who were responsible for " Delirium." Apart from their activities in film production. Ace Movies are endeavouring to foster the general good fellowship and keenness throughout the movement by holding monthly " film evenings," which all and sundry bona-fide amateur film club workers from any part of the world are cordially invited to attend. On 28th September they held the third of these meetings at Howard's Restaurant, Brixton. As usual, the meeting was packed, the chief speaker of the evening being Mr. Terence Greenidge, the amateur producer, who gave one of his delightful addresses. Among the films shown were " The Sack," T. J. Wilson A.C.A. Production; "The Black Door," Greenbriar A.C.C. Production; " Night song," Ace Movies latest. At previous meetings Mr. S-nclair Hill and Mr. G. A. Atkin.son were speakers. Admission, which is free, is by ticket only, and applications for admittance to future meetings should be addressed to the Secretary at the above address, BECKENHAM CINE SOCIETY. " Up the (.Jarden," our second production, is now complete except for cutting and subtitles and we have already shot about 400 feet of production number three. The latter production has included scenes in Wallington and New Romney Street (near Eynesford), to get the correct atmosphere of the countryside, and also our own openair studio in Beckenham. We shall be having a public show of these two productions (amongst others) some time in November and shall be very glad to hear from anyone interested in the show or the society. Full particulars will be given by the Secretary, at .56, Croydon Road. Beckenham. BELFAST FILM SOCIETY. Mr. P. J. Smith, of 4, Windmill Road, Bangor, Co. Down, is desirous of forming an amateur film society in Belfast and is anxious to get in touch with anyone interested. Mr. Smith has had considerable professional experience both in England and abroad and possesses three professional 35-mm. cameras. Films will be produced also on 16-mm. and 9^mm. stock. Anyone with ideas and enthusiasm will be welcomed and is asked to communicate with Mr. Smith at the above address. BRADFORD AMATEUR CINEMATOGRAPH SOCIETY. Hon. Secretary, H. B. Popplestone, 2, Lynton Drive, Heaton. Bradford. The production of our 2-reel 9i-mm. film ("Rosalita") is steadily progressing and we hope to have it finished in about a month's time. We have built all our own sets in the studio, where nearly all the "shots" up to now have been taken, using artificial light consisting of seven 600 watt lamps fitted into our own reflectors. Numerous cine societies have written to us lately wanting to borrow films to show to their members, but as we are a new society we unfortunately have nothing to lend them until our . present production is completed. BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF AMATEUR CINEMATOGRAPHERS. President, Sinclair Hill. This association is a voluntary organisation which seeks to further the interests of everyone interested in making cine pictures, whether they are working co operatively as a club or individually. The Council of the B.A.A.C. was formed some months ago and is actively engaged in developing schemes for assisting amateur workers on a national scale. In establishing these services, the B.A.A.C. will be greatly assisted by suggestions sent in by amateurs, particularly from those in the provinces. The B.A.A.C. is controlled by amateurs but by its organisation it has contacts with the profession and the trade. Through the kind offices of its president, professional advice, which can be turned to good account by amateurs, is available. Hitherto, the cine workers in this coimtry have not been sufficiently federated to be recognised internationally. The aim of the B.A.A.C. to provide a national representation has already borne fruit. The B.A.A.C. has been invited to send four club films (one story and one interest, each of 16-mm. and Oi-mm.) to an international competition to be conducted in Holland during the autumn. The B.A.A.C. therefore in-vites entries for this competition. Clubs should send in their films to the hon. secretary before 22nd October. These films will be critically examined by the Council, and the selected four films entered for the international competition. This examination will afford the Council an opportunity of establishing some criteria by which the merits of an amateur film, as contrasted with a professional film, can be assessed. The international competition will not clash with the more extensive competition conducted by The Era. To simplify procedure, it has been arranged that films sent in for The Era competition are available for viewing by the B.A.A.C. on the receipt of instructions by the hon. secretary from the club wishing their film to be examined for the international competition. The B.A.A.C. has no concern with The Era competition, as such. There are (with a few honourable exceptions) a number of so-called film training academies in the country which profess to train and introduce screen aspirants into professional studios. To circumvent these undesirable institutions, clubs would be performing a social service by taking screentests of such aspirants at nominal cost. If these tests are forwarded to the B.A.A.C, arrangements can be made to obtain reliable professional opinion on an individual's rapabilities, without further obligation. On location with the Bolton Cine Associati of the late Lord Leverhuln-ie). A, cabaret on at the Bungalow, Rivington (residence scene in the beautiful circular ballroom