Home Movies and Home Talkies (Jun 1933-May 1934)

HOME MOVIES & HOME TALKIES 377 Ben Jonson, A.D. 1640 THE Ho.ME Movies and Home Talkies campaign to stop the sale of inflammable film for home cinemas has already produced some good results, but unless the public continue to impress upon their Members of Parliament the necessity for drastic steps in this regard nothing of real importance will be done. Last month, and prior to publication, we circulated advance proofs of our article " Inflammable Film Sold to Children — ^Appalling Fire Risk " to the leading newspapers throughout the country, and at once the Daily Mail, who informed us that they had also been looking into the matter, gave considerable Editorial prominence to this scandal. The Institute of Amatem Cinematographers, whom we had informed of our researches and activities in this regard, also addressed letters to a large number of Members of Parliament. On the publication of Home Movies and Home Talkies, numerous readers wrote at once to their own Members and, as a consequence of all these activities, questions on the subject were asked in Parliament. Questions in Parliament Mr. Rhys Davies asked the Home Secretary whether his attention had been called to the fact that 35-mm. inflammable cinematograph films about li in. wide are manufactured for professional purposes and sold in toy shops without restriction or warning as to the danger connected with such films ; and whether he would take action in this matter ? Viscoimtess Astor asked the Home Secretary if his attention had been called to the sale by retail shops of inflammable film for use in homecinema apparatus ; was he aware that serious accidents have occurred to cliildren who have had access ro such inflammable films in their homes ; and would he take steps to prevent the continuance of this ? Dr. Howitt asked the Home^Secretary whether he was aware that dangerously inflammable film is sold without restriction in this coimtry and can be purchased even by children ; and wliether he would take immediate stejDs to 23revent the sale of such dangerous articles ? The Home Secretary's Reply Sir J. Gilmour, the Home Secretary, replied as follows : " I understand that the film which is being supplied with some of the toy cinema projectors is of standard size and highly inflammable. Three accidents with this type of machine and film have been brought to my notice. In November last representations were made by the Home Office to the traders concerned and they agreed to issue with each machine and box of film sold a notice warning purchasers to take suitable precautions in handling the film. Similar action was taken with firms known to be advertising film for sale. I have no power of control over the sale of inflammable film, but I am making inquiry as to what further action can be taken to prevent risk of accident with these toys." Warnings Mr. Rhys Davies then asked : "Will the Right Hon. Gentleman at the same time inquire as to whether the persons who manufacture these inflammable films have carried out their promise to give notice to purchasers of the dangers involved if they use such films ? " Sir J. Gilmour : " Oh, yes." In our opinion the position is still profoundly luisatisfactory and it is ridiculous to suggest that cluhiion will take ^^''^y notice of labels and warnings which are probably immediately destroyed with, the packing of the apparatus. Furthermore, who can guarantee that the purchaser will be the user of these films ? Powers Needed If the Hime Secretary has no power to control the sale of inflammable films to chiklren, th3n Parliament should see to it at once that such powers are given him. The average child on being told that the film is dangerous and highly inflammable will quite likely put a match to it to see if this statement is true. It is not as if the prohibition of this type of film for home cinemas would thereby deprive children of the pleasure of showing movies themselves. There already exists an excellent supply of efficient, inexpensive and perfectly safe apparatus and film. Unless this agitation is pursued the answer already given will probably be considered sufficient until, as we have frequently predicted, the inevitable Coroner's inquest will once again focus attention on the scandal. The Ideal Home Exhibition Last year the Editor and Staff of Home Movies and Home Talkies derived much pleasure and benefit from meeting readers in the Cin6 Section of the Ideal Home Exhibition at Olympia. This year we shall again be there and our stand will be in a much more favourable position, i.e., on the first floor of the Empire Hall. Visit the Ideal Home Exhibition and look for the Home Cine Section. Come and see and handle the latest apparatus — there will be much to interest you ! The Editor.