World Film News and Television Progress (Apr 1936-Mar 1937)

"Emperor of California" Out of all the documentary and educational films which Germany is making only Walter Ruttmann's Ships in Danger has any claim to being included in a Film Society programme. It is the only film which adds anything to the cinema, or can compare with the English documentaries. Though it is only three hundred metres long, it is the only really dramatic film that Germany has made recently, because it is the one picture made ,\vith artistic conviction. The camera work is magnificent and the cutting extremei>" good. Ruttmann shows that the German Lifeboat Service is a real and important organisation because it is doing something for humanity, and not just talking about it. Moreover, it is the only kiiliur film in which the people taking part are allowed to become individuals. Because Ruttmann believes in what he is saying, he has foimd a way to say it. De Kribbebijter (The Cross-Patch) is a Dutch comedy film recently shown in London with English titles. It was made at the Amsterdam Holfi studios and is directed by Hermann Kosteriitz and Ernst Winar. The fihn story was adapted from a well-known stage success in Holland and the subject is similar to "The Taming of the Shrew ."' Although there is nothing novel in either story or technique and the camera has been used in a straightforward manner, the film has a good deal of entertainment and interest value. The simpUcity of the treatment and the fine acting should commend the film to a critical audience. With the exception of Traiimuhis, Earth is Singing, De Kribbebijter and Ships in Danger, these new films cannot properly be considered as Film Society material. When one considers the quality of many of them, one realises that pohtical fanaticism is excessively bad for the cinema. The decline of Ufa is most remarkable. The decUne, most severely felt in the export department, helps to explain the fact that the Berlin Reichfilmkammer recently invited Erich Pommer to return and tidy up the mess that the Ministry of Propaganda has made for everyone connected with the film industry. But apparently Mr. Pommer wisely thinks he can do better work at Denham, and leaves the Reichfilmkammer to get out of their muddle as best they can. NEWS FROM THE FILM SOCIETIES HEREFORD The Hereford Film Society presented its first three programmes at the Palladium Theatre, Hereford, during the spring. Performances are at 9.0 p.m. on Wednesdays, at monthly intervals. As with the Billingham Film Society, the performances are public, and there is no formal membership of the Society. Appro.ximately 450 people attended each of the first three performances, and provided good films can be obtained, the Society is assured of a successful season in 1936-37. The main films shown at the first performances were Maskerade. Le Million and Foil de Carotte. The officers are B. Bulmer, S. Bankside, Hafor Road, Hereford, Hon. Treasurer, and \. Hudson Davies, 2 Wye Bank, Hereford, Hon. Secretary. LONDON F.I.S. The first meeting of the Film Society run jointly by the London Film Institute Film Society and Film Group will be held at the end of September. Film Group announce that the curriculum for the first year's course in cinematography is now ready. The subscription rates for the whole course, including classes, lectures and special film shows, are Two Guineas per year. Further particulars may be obtained from the Secretary, Group Theatre Rooms, 9 Great Newport Street. SOUTHAMPTON The Southampton Film Society, now entering its sixth Season, gives Sunday afternoon performances to its members. The Society has a branch organisation at Winchester and some 100 people from Winchester regularly attend its performances at Southampton. Among the films under consideration for showing during the forthcoming season are Bonne Chance, The Student of Prague, Marchand d'Aniour, So Ended a Great Love, Unfinished Symphony (original German version), Musik im Blut, Barcarole, B.B.C. The Voice of Britain, Nightmail, and Under the Water. J. S. FairfaxJones is hon. general secretary; D. A. Yeoman, 16 Ascupart House, Portswood, Southampton, is the local secretary. 'Traumulus' A Scottish Correspondent writes : "There is no desire to break away from a strong, straight-dealing British federation, but without exception the Scottish societies are thoroughly disgusted with the chaos existing in the south. I am afraid the London Film Society comes out of it aU very badly. Instead of being a leading influence in the movement it is a definite stumbling block. It is never frank, never expresses its policy, squirms about not getting support and turns up a snooty nose when it is offered. Its attitude has only one apparent explanation— that it does not welcome a strong federation and will not work with it. Either that or personal rackets are so rampant that the federation is better without London." 43