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

NEWS FROM THE SOCIETIES WOLVERH.\MPTON: On December 6th Bird Sanctuary, Housing Problems, and Len Lye's Rainbow Dance were shown to members. Wings Over Everest, Chapter and Verse, and the Nutrition Film have been booked for the January meeting. Secretary: J. N. Tomlins, Astolat, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton. FILM SOCIETY OF AYRSHIRE: The programme given at the Broadway Cinema, Prestwick, on December 6th, included Don Quixote and Der Hauptmann von Koepenick. Mr. Colin McPherson lectured before the showing. Hon. Secretary; J. A. Paton Walker, 5 St. Mamock Street, Kilmarnock. EDINBURGH FILM GUILD: The aim of the meeting held on December 6th was to give two views of studio conditions, similar in their satirical basis, but contrasted in their national origin. Once in a Lifetime, an American film produced in 1932. was shown first, and was followed by Marchand D^ Amour, a French film of 1935. On December 20th the French school drama Merlusse is to be shown to the Guild. Four performances have been planned for 1937. Secretary: Douglas A. Donald, 16 Great King Street, Edinburgh, 3. LONDON SCHOOLS FILM SOCIETY: Since its inception a year ago, this society has made valuable contacts with film producers and the manufacturers of sub-standard apparatus. It has been in active co-operation with the London Film Institute Society and the British Film Institute, and at the end of June had 112 members. The meetings have included disctissions on the film in relation to the teaching of Geography, History, Nature Study and Hygiene. A producing unit of the Society has also been busy during the summer on the production of a silent teaching film. Hon. Secretary: F. E. Farley, 50 Ashridge Crescent, S.E.18. CATHOLIC FILM SOCIETY: This society seeks to use the medium of the cinema for the Church. As the Church is international, the society is trying to makes its work international. To do this the society aims at a Central Film Biu'eau, or International Film Pool, which will help to circulate Catholic sub-standard films throughout the world by arranging exchange of copyright. Enquiries have come steadily in from places as remote as Australia and the British West Indies and, nearer home. Ireland, France, Holland and Italy. These are being carefully filed, and it is hoped will form the nucleus of an organisation in line with the Pope's Encyclical on Films. At the December display at Millicent Fawcett Hall, Rev. Fredinand Valentine. O.P., lectured on 'Liturgical Films,' the films shown were: Dominican Mass, and a Dominican Liturgical film. The address of the Hon. Secretary is 36 Great Smith Street, S.W.I. STIRLING: A meeting of the Film Society was held in the Regent Cinema, Bamiockburn, on December 13th. The feature film shown was Rene Clair's Le Derniere Milliardaire starring Paul Ollivier and Raymond Cordy. THE LONDON FILM SOQETY: At the first performance of the season the Society showed Ptushko's celebrated puppet film The New Gulliver, together with the American documentary film, made under the auspices of the Resettlement Administration, The Plow That Broke the Plains. On December 13th its programme included Georg Hollering's Hortobagy, reviewed in the December World Film News, together with two primitives. Death Preferred from the Cine Studios, and The Beetle's Deception, believed to be one of a series of Russian films made with real beetles by Professor Lozshki in 1912. The next performance of the society will be held at the New Gallery Cinema on Sunday, January 10th, when the main film will be La Tendre Enemie, directed by Max Ophuls. Secretary: Miss Barbara Frey, 56 Manchester Street, London, W.l. TYNESIDE FILM SOOETY : The last exhibition for members during the Autumn Session took place on December 13th, when Liebesmelodie, Mediaeval Village, Dawn to Dawn and Simple Charity were shown — the latter being a tenminute film of 1910, featuring Mary Pickford. The Society also did some valuable work during December by arranging two special matinees for children. The first was in conjunction with the local branch of the Modern Language Association, and the programme consisted of Sans Famille, starring Robert Lynen, On Parade, a Gasparcolor puppet film. The Band Concert (Mickey Mouse), and a three-minute diagrammatic film Arabia and Islam, with a French commentary. The second matinee, arranged with the co-operation of the Newcastle Education Committee, included Bulldog Jack, On Parade, Krakatoa, and Night Mail. The society feels that the provision of exhibitions of specially selected l)ealthy entertainment films for children is extremely desirable, and hope to arrange more matinees along these lines. The secretary is M. C. Pottinger, c/o Literary and Philosophical Society, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 1 . NORTH LONDON FILM SOCIETY: Moana, a film of the Samoan islanders by Robert Flaherty, was shown to the society on December 20th at the Monseigneur News Theatre, Strand. The programme also included Moscow, a recent sound film directed by Tisse, showing the industrial development of present-day Russia; Ether Symphony, George Pal's new puppet film, made for Phillip's Radio; Vormittagspuk, an early abstract film by Hans Richter; and Cut It Out! a Brunei burlesque. Hon. Secretary, H. A. Green, 8 King's Road, N.4. INVERNESS : After an opening performance on November 10th at the Empire Theatre, which included Gentlemen in Top Hats and Gentlemen in Crowns, Night Mail, Easy Street and Episode, a second programme was given on December 10th. The films shown were Fortress of Peace, a French film which vividly describes the picturesque loveliness of Mont St. Michel, and recreates the atmosphere of mystery and legend which is its special attraction ; The Key to Scotland, a photographic survey of Edinburgh, showing the historical, education and commercial growth of Scotland ; Magic du Fer-blanc. a film of the canning industry in France; and Bonne Chance, a French comedy directed by and starring Sacha Guitry. Hon. Secretary : Mr. John Mitchell, Royal Bank Buildings. Inverness. ^ V ^ £ IM^ I 1 t M I \ ^^^^^^H ^m^^-^ '^i^i^ni^ m r\ Wr -^ ■ .^^^^BIDSk j^W^. H . ■ i 1 i w 'a^^lL^^BV^^^^ E "Janosik'' 45