Kinematograph year book (1944)

174 The Kinematograph Year Book. persons under 16 years of age. In these days of imminent air raids there is something not illogical in this attitude in vulnerable districts, although it has been shown that properly trained, and under adult supervision, these youngsters can be thoroughly depended upon in an emergency. This subject of staffing, however, is a headache to exhibitors who constantly receive warnings of the vital importance of complying with the spirit and letter of the regulations. SUNDAY OPENING. ONE of the regulations which is causing a good deal of trouble is that which seeks to prevent the attendance of persons under 16 at Sunday kinemas. This rule has been vigorously opposed on the ground of being ultra vires, and it seemed that a test case on the matter might be fought with the Cornwall County Council, who had endorsed its licences with this condition at Newquay and Falmouth. To the regret of the Trade, however, the county council withdrew the condition, as it was not prepared to defend any legal proceedings that might have been instituted. It was unfortunate that the opportunity to clarify the position was thus lost, because it might have deterred other councils from following suit. As a matter of fact, the neighbouring Somerset C.C. and the licensing justices of Weston-super-Mare have been joined in a writ by the Odeon for imposing the condition in S.O. licences in that town. After refusing to accept the restriction, 'Weston kinemas eventually agreed to open "without prejudice and under protest" pending the testing in the High Court of the validity of the conditions. Elsewhere the restriction is modified to permit attendance by children if accompanied by — [a) parent or guardian or (b) an adult. The C.E.A. warning against accepting such endorsements has been usually observed, although in some areas kinemas have seen fit to ignore the instructions on the plea of urgency. These attempts to restrict the attendance of children, which, incidentally, contravert the Home Office ruling (to the Wantage, Berks U.D.C.) that it is not within the powers of the licensing authorities to impose the condition, have the appearance of a deliberate campaign against the Trade. Exaggerated figures have been quoted to show that Sunday films are attracting to the kinema a larger percentage of children than ever before. At Manchester, a Councillor declared that 7,000 children (about 20 per cent, of the audiences) attended on Sunday afternoons. Similar facts are quoted by the Sabbatarians in other areas, which infer an association between these figures and the increase of juvenile delinquency. Another method of approach -which has proved effective is the allegation by the Churches that Sunday afternoon kinemas interfere with Sunday school attendances, and as a result an adjustment of hours of opening have taken place in London and in many other districts. Other conditions which are being contested seek to restrict Sunday opening to troops or the reservation of a certain number of seats for the Services, and to enforce maximum admission prices, all of which, it is contended, are ultra vires. This attitude on the part of local authorities indicates the prejudice which Sunday opening has invoked, for, wherever the principle has been adopted, police and welfare workers pay tribute to the diminution of disorderly conduct in the streets since the facilities were granted. Indeed, it has frequently been contended that the kinemas have succeeded where religious organisations had failed in their responsibilities to the young people, the workers and the troops. The charity levy figures prominently in Trade protests against Sunday opening discrimination, and no better definition of the Exhibitor attitude towards this illogical and hypocritical impost is possible than the words of G. A. Bryson, for many years Chairman of the Public Entertainments Committee of Birmingham. Pointing out the large sums this was producing annually, he said he was one of those who felt it right that the Trade should make some contribution. However, personally, he was in doubt concerning the wisdom of perpetuating a scheme which might give the impression that the public conscience could be bought at a price.