International Review of Educational Cinematography (Jan-Dec 1932)

Bibliography Edifices publics pour villes et villages by Emile GuiLLOT. 2nd Edition, revised and added to by Marius Bousquet, Architect. 1 vol, 785 pp., with illustrations (Dunod, 92, rue Bonaparte, Paris), 1927. This work, which has a technical and juridical character, is published in the collection entitled " Library of the Engineer attached to Public Works ". The book contains eight chapters, which deal respectively with : edifices for public education ; administration offices and public utility constructions ; hospitals and public relief buildings ; military edifices ; religious buildings : buildings for Fine Arts and sport ; commemorative and funeral structures and various buildings. A mere recapitulation of the chapter headings cannot hope to provide even an approximate idea of the importance of the book, but in a brief review it is not possible to do more, especially when one notes that each chapter is subdivided into a number of headings with sub-titles and secondary divisions. The three first chapters are especially full of detail, and it is remarkable that amid such minuteness of detail and among so many things concerning house-building and house-furnishing in various styles and ways, no mention is made of the cinema or of the requirements for its installation. The fault is not attiibutable to Messrs Guillot and Bousquet, who in this work have necessarily had to keep within the official regulations on scholastic buildings. This indeed is their policy in regard to all the kinds of buildings which they treat, and the fact makes the book, besides being interesting from the technical and professional point of view, (building procedure, material estimates, etc.) an authentic collection of laws, regulations and practical rules dealing with the types of buildings under discussion. The volume is enriched with historical notes, numerous photographs and drawings, plans, etc., which contribute notably to increase the interest of the work. Cinema halls logically are to be found under the theatre section. (Chap. VI. Edifices devoted to Fine Arts and Sports) and also form the subject of a special study which examines special con structions, fitting out and furnishing of halls and the police regulations in force for such places. Although the book, which we can call notable without fear of exaggerating, is five years old, it maintains its interest. Doubtless, during the last five years, new exigencies and fresh possibilities have altered and evolved the technique of building. To mention only talking picture studios and projection halls, acoustic necessities have imposed special researches and new forms on engineers and architects. During the last five years aiso, the principle of applying the cinema to teaching has made immense progress and, as we have already suggested, it is logical to expect that regulations more in keeping with the new times may envisage the installation of cinemas in edifices destined for purposes of education. No doubt this additional material will appear in a third edition of " Edifices Publics ", edited by Marius Bousquet, with the same care he has shown in the volume under review, where he has followed the lines laid down by the author. L'Acoustique archilecturalc by GuSTAVE Lyon. I Vol. 70 pp. with drawings. Frcs 15 (Film et Technique), 78 Avenue des Champs Elysees, Paris), 1932. We made reference to this book in our April number when mentioning " Propos de la Cabine " which we propose to review later. These two works are the first volumes in a new collection " Film et Technique " published under the general denomination of " Bibliotheque technique du cinema ». In « L'Acoustique Architecturale », which fills very usefully one of the lacunae we noted in " Edifices Publics ", M. Gustave Lyon convinces us that he is not only a technician who knows his subject thoroughly, but also a technician who has had occasion to try out theory through numerous and varied experiences, some of which are remarkable. The reader cannot but derive profit from the author's knowledge and experience. Anyone interested for one reason or another.