Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1932)

October I , 193 2 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 27 BRITISH SCIENTISTS TURN TO FILMS AS MEDIUM TO ADVANCE EDUCATION Hollywood Making Many Pictures Beyond Reproach and Industry's Prestige Is Growing, Eminent Professor Tells Assn. by BERNARD CHARMAN London Correspondent The British Association for the Advancement of Science for the first time has turned its eyes toward the motion picture. The association, whose membership includes the most highly specialized scientific brains in this tight little island, has been holding its 101st annual talkfest at York. Particular interest in the screen as a medium with particular reference in education is being manifested by the association, which, moreover heard a sweeping defense of the cinema by an eminent professor. A. C. Cameron, Oxford secretary of education, was the speaker, and "The Film as a Cultural Force" his subject. "An adult population which reads few books has turned to the cinema as its staple solace and enjoyment," Mr. Cameron said, and added: "The film is gaining in prestige. A growing number of cultivated and unaffected people enjoy going to the pictures, and frequent not merely the performances of intellectual film societies, but also the local picture house to see, for instance, Marlene Dietrich." "Many who do not now go to the cinema," he continued, "would go if they could be certain of their fare, to see films which are good for their kind, whether that kind should be farce or drama, fact or fiction, and dealing with three-dimensional men and women." Naturally you have to use words like "three dimensional" to scientific audiences, though what the professor wished to stress was that the films must center on real human beings. "Many Films Beyond Reproach" Next, Mr. Cameron got down to his question, and please note how he tempers his national pride with a hand for that spot out west where most of the public's "solace and enjoyment" comes from. "Can these films be produced in Great Britain?" he asks. "I believe that they can. But it is not sufficient to abuse Hollywood and say, 'Show British films.' Like films of other countries, British films have varied from the very good to the very bad, technically, artistically and morally, while Hollywood has made and is making many films that are beyond reproach." That then gives you the essentials of what British scientists and the British public — for the Association is nowadays great newspaper copy — heard in favor of the cinema from a professor of education, but before leaving the matter it may interest Rita C. McGoldrick and her disciples to read just one more of the Cameronian gems of wisdom. As how: "There is a great need for entertainment films made specially for children, of which there are all too few. Dramas of the Wild West and many comedies may be excellent fare. The children of today are as much entitled to their crooks as the children of yesterday to their bandits." Mr. Cameron was supported in his remarks by Sir Benjamin Gott, formerly chai rman of a prominent education authority, and F. A. Hoare, a director of Western Electric, who has devoted much time to research in the educational field. Naturally enough, these gentlemen have come in for much praise and thanks in the trade press, for the able and competent manner in which they have answered the puritans, kill-joys and anti-cinema maniacs. Now comes the surprise. All Officers of Commission Mr. Cameron is none other than joint honorary secretary of the Commission on Cultural and Educational Films, Sir Benjamin Gott is chairman of the same body, and Mr. Hoare is honorary treasurer of the CCEF. And it will take a lot to convince me that the trade press has not recently been fulminating violently against this Commission, charging inability of its members to judge the cinema and incompetence to treat with the film industry ! Be that as it may, it becomes increasingly obvious every day that the public is having the words "education" and "cinema" in close juxtaposition held closely against its eyeballs ; if they are held there long enough something is bound to happen. And if that were not enough, we have Sir James Marchant — whom you may recall as sponsor of the "cinema university" project which I outlined a few weeks back — loosing another shaft. In a letter addressed to the CEA, the KRS and the Kinematograph Manufacturers Association, he advocates a Royal Institution to be established within the industry to promote its national and international interests, and suggests that the Prince of Wales might become its patron. Sir James also nominates Simon Rowson, chief of Ideal Films as well as one of the most highly intellectual members of the industry, for presidency of the educational section of such an institution. He thinks the president of the whole body might be, year by year, either a leader of the industry or a leader of national life, and proposes that the annual convention of the concern should be a public event, supported by representatives of the Empire as well as foreign countries. Well, that shows the canvas on which some people's minds are working, and there is general agreement that some form of control will be necessary if the industry is to be a force in the education field. There is much talk about a big trade meeting to thresh out the matter, and what a meeting that will be! Sunday Fight on in District The free fight for Sunday opening in individual districts is on. Croydon, one of London's more populous suburbs, is waging a strong campaign with the assistance of the CEA to break down the shackles of Great Need of Pictures for Children Is Cited; Royal Institution Advocated, With Prince of Wales as Patron counter-cinema opinion in the local authority, which hitherto has resolutely held its face against the exhibitor, while at Maidstone, a rural township, a new appeal has resulted in a 14 to 5 vote in approval of Sunday cinemas. Under the Act recently passed through Parliament the local council must now apply to the Government for powers to allow the concession. It might be considered that Maidstone exhibitors have won a glorious victory, but just throw a glance at these conditions which the council has laid down against the granting by the Government of the necessary approval : Charity payment of £3 a night shall be paid by each cinema ; performances shall not commence before 8 p. m. ; a minimum of 25 per cent of the footage shown must be British ; a travel or topical interest film must be included in each program ; no farces shall be shown and an undertaking must be given that the films shown will be of a high class ; conditions shall be reconsidered in six months. And we call this "the land of the free \" v "Most of the (film) posters appear to have been born in hell," said the president of the Methodist Conference at a recent meeting. "I wonder that members of a Christian community go to see them, or queue up to see film stars who treat marriage as a stud farm." He apparently had not read the speech of A. C. Cameron outlined in the foregoing. Increases in Parcel Post Rates Effective October I Increases in parcel post rates from one to three cents go into effect on October 1, the post office department has announced. The new rates are : First and second zones, eight cents for the first pound or fraction thereof, and 1.1 cents for each additional pound or fraction ; third zone, nine cents and two cents, respectively ; fourth zone, 10 cents and 3.5 cents, respectively; fifth zone, 11 and 5.3 cents; sixth zone, 12 and seven cents ; seventh zone, 14 and nine cents ; eighth zone, 15 and 11 cents. Postage on parcels mailed on rural routes for local delivery will be two cents less than at these rates and 3 cents less when for other than local delivery. The new regulations permit mailing matter up to 70 pounds in weight and as large as 100 inches in length and girth combined. Powers Plans Short Series Powers Pictures is releasing a new series of short subjects, "The Secrets of Nature," with "Dream Flowers" as the first of the group. One subject will be released each month. Photomicrography is used in the production of the series.