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

Raw Material of Movie History (Continued from previous page.) at about the turn of the century, bear no recognizable allegiance to any established artform; and certain of them, in their somewhat random freedom from externally imposed restrictions, are measurably closer to present-day methods within their particular field, than are the fiction-films of a decade afterwards. When, however, the film began to take on a first crude shape, it became excessively formalized ; and an extreme instance of the misappropriated stage-play technique is provided by a two-reel production of Shakespeare's Richard III (1912), performed by F. R. Benson's company in the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratfordon-Avon. The camera remained in one position throughout, and the scenes were played through in order, the meaning being conveyed (?) by exaggerated gestures. Each scene was introduced by titles: "Act so-and-so. Scene so-and-so," and a few words sketchily indicating the subject, followed by a fine or two quoted from the actual text. The scenery was imdisguisedly theatrical ; but the costumes at least were good. At about the same period we have the Italian Cines productions, dealing with tales of ancient Rome. Here, although much of the action was out-of-doors, the technique still fundamentally belonged to the Richard III school, and it is iUuminating to contrast this kind of thing with an American one-reeler. His Phantom Sweetheart, made not more than two or three years later, but already displaying all the slick facility of the modem American cinema in embryo, with naturaUstic backgrounds, neatly cut-in close-ups, intimately-handled acting (crowd-scenes are directed with some skill), and a camera which enters freely into the midst of the action instead of remaining stifiSy at a distance. Early difficulties of continuity are much in evidence, and they repay study, for some of them persist, if in shghtly altered form, to the present day. Nowadays, though, we cannot overcome them by having a gentleman vrith a pointer to stand by the screen and elucidate, as was at one time the custom. An examination of old films is also likely to straighten out the misconception , which asserts that silent films were automatically I faster in tempo and more full of action than modem talkies. Often, if not always, the difference seems rather to be that in the silent film we could not hear what the characters were saying when they spoke, whereas in the talkie we can. NEWS FROM FILM SOCIETIES Note For Film Societies Since the National FUm Library aims at preserving films of historical value, the greater part of this material wiU not be available for distribution to Societies until an opportunity has occurred for making dupUcate prints. Eight films of particular interest have, however, been reproduced on both 35 and 16 mm. stock, and those wishing for further details about them may be directed to apply to the British Film Institute, 4 Great RusseU Street, W.C.I. Gifts of films, or money, or both, are also, it need hardly be added, very welcome. MANCHESTER AND SALFORD WORKERS' FILM SOCIETY: A Czecho-Slovakian film of 1935, Hey Rup. was the chief feature of the Society's film display at the RivoU Cinema, Rusholme, on February 14th. This film, directed by Mac Fric, also director of Janosik, won a prize at the Moscow World Film Exhibition last year. Though banned in France, it has been passed by the British Censor. Other films included in the same programme were The Moon, a French film describing the Moon's circuit of the Earth ; Tlie Filter, an interesting record, by Mary Field and Percy Smith, of the many stages through which water has to pass before becoming fit for human consumption, including superb photography of the growth of bacteria and the multifarious forms of plant life in the water ; and Barcelona News, a topical film of scenes in Barcelona including a United Workers' Demonstration and the Funeral of Durrutti. Scheduled for showing on March 14th are Le Loup Garou (Himted People) directed by Friedrich Feher; the National Book Council's Chapter and Verse, and George Pal's Ether Symphony. Hon. Secretary: R. Cordwell, 86 Hulton Street, Salford, 5. OXFORD FILM SOCIETY: Savoy Hotel 217, a spy melodrama set in pre-war Moscow and directed by GustavUcicky, headed the programme given at the eighth meeting of the season on February 7th. Two G.-B. Instructional films. The Mine and The Development of English Railways, together with Len Lye's puppet film Birth of the Robot, were in support. The following performance, given on February 21st, included The Great Train Robbery (America 1903), Expansion of Germany (Britain 1936), two Walt Disney cartoons, one of 1922 and one of 1934, and the Swiss film Die Ewige Maske, directed by Hochbaum. The last meeting of the season is on Sunday, March 7th. Hon. Secretary: E. F. Bowtell, 105 Victoria Road, Oxford. STIRLINGSHIRE FILM SOQETY: An address by Mr. Harry Watt, co-director of Night Mail, was followed by a programme of films by the G.P.O. Film Unit on Friday, February 5th. Der Hauptmann von Koepenick was shown to members at the Regent Cinema, Bannockbura, on Sunday, February 14th. TYNESIDE FILM SOOETY: The first exhibition of the Spring session took place on January 24th, when the programme included Merlusse, Our Daily Bread, Lotte Reiniger's Carmen, early newsreels, and two 16 mm. films made by Montagu Amateur Pictures — Monty Meets Disaster, a puppet cartoon by Mr. Arthur Greaves, F.R.P.S., and The Day Thou Gavest, a satirical documentary of Newcastle's Sunday, directed by Ernest Dyer and photographed by Arthur Greaves. On February 5th, John Grierson lectured to members and their friends, and on the 14th, a second exhibition of films included Fredlos, The Mine, The Red Army, VHippocampe, All Baba, and The Hindoo's Charm (an early silent film). On February 21st, Basil Wright was present to introduce and discuss VAtalante, when Song of Ceylon and Night on the Bare Moimtain were also shown. The Hon Secretary to this society is M. C. Pottinger, c/o Literary and Philosophical Society, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 1 . WOLVERHAMPTONFILM SOQETY : The G P.O . Film Unit visited the town during Febmary and gave a special display to the Film Society of Night Mail, Weather Forecast, Granton Trawler, Upstream and 6.30 Collection. On February 10th the Society exhibited Student of Prague, Birth of the Robot, VHippocampe. Brumes D'Automne and Coal Face. For the March meeting AH Baba, Mediaeval Village and Snow Hounds have been booked. Hon. Programme Secretary: E. L. Packer, Himley Crescent, Goldthorn Park, Wolverhampton. Hon. Membership Secretary: Miss D. Roston, 60 Great Brickkiln Street, Wolverhampton. MERSEYSIDE FILM INSTITUTE SOCIETY: At an interesting meeting held at the David Lewis Theatre on February 17th, Alberto Cavalcanti gave a lecture on "Sound in Films," illustrated by records and excerpts from English, French and American films. The following Tuesday an Extraordinary General Meeting took place in the Society's Rooms, at which it was moved that no film should be shown at any exhibition organised by the Society, except those deemed to illustrate the science of film-making, and that no part of the funds of the Society should be expended on the organisation of any exhibition having entertainment as its principal object. It was also proposed that any profit made by the Society should be used for furthering its objects and not distributed among members. Hon. Secretary: J. Alex Parker, 5 and 6 Bluecoat Chambers, Liverpool 1 . NORTH LONDON FILM SOCIETY: On February 22nd members of this Society saw a private demonstration of the new RCA Photophone Ultra-Violet Ray sound recording process, at the company's demonstration theatre, Electra House. On the following Sunday the programme given at the Monseigneur News Theatre, Strand, was headed by Dawn, a film made in the Irish Free State and deaUng with the struggles of 1919-21. In support were A Famous Cook at Work. Arthur Elton's film of Marcel Boulestin, made on behalf of the Gas, Light and Coke Company, and Russia To-day, a graphic account of industrial development in modem Russia. On the same day, Mr. Ronald Kidd gave a talk on the Irish problem. Hon. Secretary to this Society is H. A. Green, 8 King's Road, N.4. The LONDON FILM INSTITUTE SOCIETY showed Lotte Reiniger's film The .Adventures of Prince Achmed at its February meeting. This is the only fuU-length silhouette film, and was shown in its entirety, with a musical accompaniment arranged by Miss Reiniger and Basil Wright. Paul Rotha's Contact and Cavalcanti's latest short film Tschierva Hut were also shown. Membership of the L.F.I.S. is steadily growing and 450 people were present. Future meetings will be held on March 7th, April 4th and May 9th. The subscription for the half season is 5s. 3d. Miss Olwen Vaughan, 4 Great Russell Street is Secretary. 43