World Film and Television Progress (1937-1938)

AMATEUR CLUB AND FILM SOCIETY NEWS ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY: Hon. Secretary, Howard Cricks, Esq., 35 Russell Square, W.C.I. The Committee and Sub-committees of the Kinematograph Section are engaged on a number of developments. A Federation of Amateur Producing Societies has been formed, further particulars of which will soon be published. Another Sub-committee is busy on arrangements for the Exhibition of Kinematography and the concurrent Film Competition, to be held in November. For the first time, the Competition will probably include a class for 35 mm. films. THE DARTINGTON HALL FILM UNIT has begun work on three new educational films. An animated film on Springs and Wells, a film on the British Timber Industry, and a film on Pastoral Nomadism, based on material from the Russian film Turksib. A unit is going to Norway in the summer, where it will obtain material for films on the village life of the fjords, for the timber film, and for a film on the natural regions and human geography of Norway. Most of these films will be available for distribution through Visual Education between September and December. Their productions last year in Derbyshire and the Canary Islands have been purchased by the L.C.C. and the Glasgow Education Committee. Film Officer, William Hunter, The School, Dartington Hall, Totnes, S. Devon. ELTHAM CINE SOCIETY: Hon. Secretary, Miss V. D. White, 36 Craigton Road, S.E.I 9. The Society is now in its third year, and recently celebrated its second birthday by a gala performance in its miniature theatre at the studio. Various celebrities in the film world, and representatives from London amateur film clubs, were in attendance. During its two years of existence, the Eltham Cine Society has produced some fourteen films, both short and full-length. Work has now commenced on the Society's new production, The Emperors New Clothes, in sound and natural colour. It will not be completed until after the summer. ACE MOVIES: Hon. Secretary, Channon Wood, Esq., 15 Openview, S.W.18. Studio, 90 High Street Mews, Wimbledon, S.W.I 9. Stacks of timber, linoleum and three-ply, bags of plaster, cans of paint, rolls of paper ; all these, almost blocking access to the studio, indicate activity within the Ace camp. The first set for the mystery production is under construction. It is a cathedral interior, and according to Art Director Fowler, is in the rococo style of architecture. The construction department would have preferred a Methodist Chapel in the later corrugated style, but — Art must be served. The cast is not yet finally selected, Director West having had some difficulty over types. There appears to be a vacancy for a male juvenile leadhandsome and slightly sunburned — and any aspirant to film fame who feels he complies with these conditions should get in touch with the secretary at once. The sunburn can, if necessary, be supplied. Ace Movies would like to state that these monthly notes in the World Film News are bringing in more enquiries — and from the right sort of people — than any two other papers devoting similar space to Amateur production. FTLM AND PHOTO LEAGUE: Hon. Secretary, H. Cuthbertson, Esq., 3 Somerset Terrace, London, W.C.I. On May 3rd, Arthur Elton, of Associated Realist Film Producers, spoke on "Filmmaking." "The first object of your film," he said, "is to tell a story: do not be lyrical. Make films of things you understand and let your film have a purpose." Mr. Elton went on to say that the intelligent use of a cine camera can be mastered in a very short time, and the advent of sound need not be witheld much longer from the practice of sub-standard cinematography. Many of these points were well illustrated by the projection of City Life of New York, a film in Kodachrome colour, and the lecturer's own documentary Housing Problems. A lengthy discussion on sound-recording, film-emulsions and other technical problems followed, the audience taking part. In moving a vote of thanks, the Chairman spoke of the great scope before the League in the building up of a "Left Film Front" through the co-ordination of amateur efforts all over the country. The League's latest film March Against Starvation is worthy of a place among documentary film achievements. A film of May Day, against the background of contemporary national and international events, is now in production, for June release. WOLVERHAMPTON FILM SOCIETY: Programme Secretary, E. L. Packer, Esq., Himley Crescent, Wolverhampton. Membership Secretary, Miss D. Roston, 60 Great Brickkiln Street, Wolverhampton. The Society has just completed its second year with a slightly adverse balance sheet. As this is apparently quite common in the ea^ly stages of a Society's development, the Committee are not pessimistic about the future, but are already making plans for next season. Final programme in March consisted of Mediaeval Village, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Remous, and UHippocampe. The next meeting is in October. MANCHESTER AND SALFORD FILM SOCIETY: Hon. Secretary, R. Cordwell, 13 Milwain Drive, Heaton Chapel, Nr. Manchester. This Society was formed at Milton Hall, Manchester, on May 6th, following the dissolution of the Manchester and Salford Workers' Film Society. The latter had suffered a loss of £21, and were not in a position to carry on — but recommended that efforts should be made to re-establish a Film Society in Manchester, and that all their material, knowledge and assistance would be placed at the disposal of any new Society that might be formed. Since its formation in 1930, the Manchester and Salford Workers' Film Society has given some 45 programmes, showing films representative of 13 countries. A successful inaugural meeting launched the new Society. £20 was immediately forthcoming by guarantors, and several subscriptions paid in advance. INVERNESS FILM SOCIETY: Hon. Secretary, John Mitchell, Esq., Royal Bank Buildings, Inverness. World Film News learns with regret that owing to inadequate public support of this Society, the question of dissolution is being considered. BRIGHTON, HOVE AND DISTRICT FILM INSTITUTE SOCIETY (Branch of the British Film Institute): Hon. Secretary, C. Walker, "Eskdale," Old Shoreham Road, Southwick, Sussex. The first film show of the season took place at the Theatre Royal on May 23rd. The programme was headed by Remous, French drama directed by Edmond Greville, starring Jean Galland and Jeanne Boitel, and distributed by Denning. Pending upon the success of this show will be the decision to carry on monthly shows of a similar nature throughout the winter season. OXFORD FTLM SOCIETY: Hon. Secretary, E. F. Bowtell, 105 Victoria Road, Oxford. Fritz Lang's Fury was shown at the first meeting of the Summer season, held on Sunday, May 2nd, at the Scala Cinema. In support were Robert Benchley's How to Behave, and Anstey's Enough to Eat? — an examination into the problem of malnutrition among the working classes of this country. At the meeting on May 23rd, Pudovkin's The Deserter was supported by Papageno — a Lotte Reiniger silhouette film. June 6th, Der Schimmelreiter will be presented, together with another Benchley comedy, How to Vote, and Massingham's And So to Work, described in the April issue of W.F.N. WEST ESSEX FILM SOCIETY: Hon. Secretary, F. J. Philpott, 7 Wellington Road, East Ham. E.6. A number of scenarios submitted by members were considered at the April monthly meeting, and Mr. S. Reed's The Pot of Basil was selected for the next production, shooting of which is shortly to commence. At a recent meeting, Mr. Ternouth of Messrs. Kodak, Ltd., gave an address on "Kodachrome," illustrated by stills. The lighting equipment at the studio, 41a Kempton Road, East Ham, E.6., has been increased to 15,000 watts. A Letter If you know of any amateurs who are making or thinking of making a pacifist film on the lines suggested in Andrew Buchanan's article in the April W.F.N. — or for that matter on any lines, so long as its aim is to promote peace, please would you let me know. I am a member of the Peace Pledge Union, and it may be possible to co-operate in trying to give public performances of pacifist-films in Town or Church Halls. Finally, may I express my appreciation of W.F.N. — it is the only paper I know which has as its raison d'etre one subject (film), but holds an intelligent attitude towards, and even gives space to, other subjects (broadcasting, music, etc.). I. W. BRADBERY 39