MURDER TRIAL FILMS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16947, 23 September 1920, Page 2

MURDER TRIAL FILMS.

MR JUSTICE DARLING'S CENSURE

Sir Edward Marshall-Hall, K.C., attended at tho Old Baiiey, London, on July 26th, on behalf of tho Gaumont Company, Limited, in reference to Mr Justico Darling's remarks regarding an application to the Under-Sheriff for permission for two of their producers to attend the court during the hearing of a murder trial. Mr Justice Darling characterised tho application as "perfectly monstrous and indecent." .Sir Edward said that the Gaumont I-'ieture Co. held a very high position in tho kir.ema world, and felt that what Mr Justice Darling had said with reference to tho application was not an interpretation of what .they had really asked. They did not want to film tho court proceedings, but merely to study the scene when a man was being sentenced to death. Tho company were aftxious to know several things. For instance, they wished to discover where the historic Sword of Justice hung in that court.

31r Justico Darling: Or whether it was used?

►Mr Edward : No. Whether it was taken down or remained in ono position. '1 hey also wanted to see the position of the jury and the dock, and whether the aldermen were present. :vir Justice Darling: I understand that they wanted to havo a good seat, so that thev could observe everybody in court, including the judge and tho prisonei about to be condemned, with a view ol reproducing, \\;ith other people cnactinj; the parts. feir Ec!ward: That is exactlv where tho difference comes in. They" wanted to know the positions. They* had no idea 01 reproducing the facial expressions of the judge or the prisoner. Mr Justico Darling said that when ho read the letter he was of opinion, and he was of tho same opinion now, that what the film company wanted was to produce with the utmost faithfulness before some mixed audience, who would pav to see it, tho passing 0 f sentence of death by a judge upon the prisoner. "It did not occur to me that ' what they wanted was to get' some photograph of me or some photograph of the prisoner, but what I did understand was that they wanted to come to this court and see the passing of judgment of death in order that thev migfi,t observe the whole circumstances of the case, the conduct of tue judge, the emotion, if possible, of mvself; and the prisoner, and the way in. which the whole thing was received" by the audience in court. I understood that- was what they wanted toproduce "I am constantly reading of the highly beneficial and educative effect of films, and there is a glorification of people who take part in them as actors which, to mv mind, is absurd and preposterous. They intended to send two producers to observe whit went on in court, and then, as well as they could, Or a couple of actors, one to enact the prisoner and one the judge, perform in faco of'a camera, and then reproduce the thing. To mv mind it was a most indecent thing, and ought not to be allowed

There Tvas gome applause in court, •which the judge suppressed, saying. "I cannot have any applause or dissension." He went on to say that the reproduction of films of such subjects as passing of sentence of death in our courts of justice ought to be prevented. "If they had succeeded in this application my belief is that another application would have been made, so that tho conclusion of tho drama should be given, and that- people should not be disappointed of knowing exactly how it all ended. I have not really a word to trithdrsTE*"-

« The Lady Editor will be pleased to receive for publication in the "Women's Corner" item-; of social or personal news. Such items should be fully authenticated, and engagement notices must bear the signatures of both parties. Correspondence is invited on any matters affecting, or of interest to, women. Mr and Mrs K. Murchison (Kirwee) arcs in town. Captain and Mrs I/. M. Isitt returned tf> Christehureh yesterday from the j .North Island. I Mrs J. M. Barker (Woodbury) is in ] town. Mr and Mrs Kenneth Mackenzie ha\ r e returned to Auckland, after a short stay in Christehureh. Mr and Mrs Andrew Anderson returned from the North Island yesterday. Miss M. Vyner (Invercargill) is staying at Warner's. Mrs Robert Alison and Mrs Gilmer (Grevmouth)'aro staying at the United Service. Airs J. D. McCracken (Haylands) is in town. Mr and Mrs George Could are returning from Sydney by the Tahiti. The High School Old Boys' annual ball will be held in tho Tea Kiosk at tho Addington Trotting Grounds tonight. Suitable arrangements have been made for the contmgenoy of tho weather being unfavourabie. Dr. Piekeiill reported to the Otago University Council yesterday the decision of the Council of the New Zea.i land Dental Association, to the effect that women should be employed as dental nurses, and do a limited ajnount of operating under supervision, and that the period of training should, if necessary, bo for two years. Dr. Pickeril' added that it might bo necessary to undertake the training at tho local' Dental School, but if that were done, it would be necessary for tho Department to provide not only edequate accommodation, but also a qualified assistant. Mr and Mrs Eraser Gauge will bo entertained by the Scottish Society tomorrow night. The pipe band will play them from their hotel (the Clarendon) to the society's rooms, where they will bt givei: a real Scottish welcome at a gathering of the clans. A reception, characterised by_ warm euthubiasm, was held in the Wellington Tcwn Hall on Morfday afternoon, when the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs J. P. I/uke, welcomed back to tneso shores Miss Adelaide Van Staveron, daughter of the Rev. H. Van Staveren, Jewish Rabbi, of Wellington, end Airs Van Staveren. Tho concert chamber was comfortably filled, and a very cheery gathering was enjoyed by all "present". Formal speeches of welcome to tlic gifted young New Zealand singer woro made by tho Mayor, who was highly eulogistic of the distinction gained abroad by their guest. Replying on his-daughter's behalf, Rev. H. van Staveren expressed hearty thanks for the cordiality of the reception. The q round work of liis daughter's success had been laid in New Zealand, her voice having been first cultivated by the sisters of the convent and by Air Alfred Hill. .Miss Van Staveren, who was accompanied by her parents, met with quite an ovation as she appeared on the stage. Tho gathering was a representative one, and included some oi' Wellington's best known citizens. The esteem in which the late Airs Whitaker (wife of Air F. W. Whitaker, oi Wellington, and daughter of Air Benjamin Leathwick, of Christehureh), who died at her home at Island Bay, Wellington, last week, was hejd, was shown by tho large attendance at her funeral A solemn requiem mass was celebrated at St. Francis's, Island Bay, at 9 a.m., before a congregation which filled the church*. Tho Rev. Father Mark Devoy celebrated the mass, and afterwards conducted tho funeral service at the graveside, the Venerable Archdeacon Devoy assisting at tho service ii- the church. Tho choir„ of which Air Whitaker is a member, sang appropriate hymns, and at the conclusion All T. Gascott played the "Deaf March." Four members of .St. Patrick's branch of the Hibernian Society acted a? pall-bearers. Tho late Airs Whitaker has left three 3-oung children, and Airs. W. Hoyland, of Nairn street, Wellington, and Miss E. Leathwick, of Christehureh, are her, sisters. The first birth in the Waikari hospital occurred on September 9th, just a week after tho -hospital was opened. In accordance with its usual practice, the i\orth Canterbury Hospital Board is ootaining a silver cup for presentation to the infant.

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CABARET EVENING. "A very gov cabaret evening took place in the Orange Hall Inst night in aid of the Navy League Women's Auxiliary. The organisers were Mrs S. K. Sleigh, Mrs C. S. Beadel, Mrs ThCO. Barker, Mrs Batehelor, and Miss Frances Craeroft Wilson, and much credit 1? due to theso ladies for their arrangement of a successful and enjoy - able affair: The hall v.-as beautifully in ; a scheme of black and pale geld, bis j baskets of yellow daffodils hanging from j the ceiling, with- festoons of yellow j ribbon between. The supper rooms wero ; also adorned with bin ok and gold. iSts 1 candles having yellow shades. Mr Bert-' | Willvnms's Jazz Orchestra supplied dej liphtful music. ! Those present included: Mrs W. Wilson, Mrs C. 0. Dalgetv. Mr and Mrs Bernard Wood. Mr and Mrs Cyril Ward. Dr. and Mrs Scott. Mr and Mrs I). Comerford, Mr and Mrs Freeman, Mrs C.uy rtonnld?. Mr prul Mrs A. Xiclinlls, Misses Crifcro't Wilson. Gouda i j Tcsr-bemaker. West ("Wellington). Ella I Helmore. M. Bendol, Herdman, K. I Lane. B. Cotterill. 0. j 1 Valerie T?e?d. Wood. Jessie Hill. Mina j . Ward, Humphreys. Noel'ne Knight, ! j Nnncnrrow, Dulcie McCrodie, Lynne ! "VTwards. Rita Gibson. M-stson, itfacj Dnucrnll, E. Wynn-Williams. Lulu i FTnnnnv, and Messrs Alsrar Williams, I Fell. Rinrrsoot'e, Wanklyn. Nane n rrnw, •P. S. C'risjj, I>. Cotterill, Crncroft : Wilson, Bruges, Grise. G. Aitkcn, j Manna. V. tvard, Dalgety, Angus, and j many others, | MAI? IST OI.T> P'OVft* SOCIAL. The second annual social and danco of the Marist Bros. Old Boys' Association was held' in the Art Gallery last night. There was an attendance of about 2-50, including his Lordship Bishop Brodie. The Art Gallery was tastefully decorated with the football club's colours, and with baskets of j spring blooms. Music for the dancing r was supplied by Miss Maedonald's or-/ chestra. | During the evening a presentation of i a. framed photograph of the Marist Bros.' senior team was made to his Lordship Bishop Brodie, who was also | thanked_ for his great assistance to the Association and Football Club. Mr G. P. Payne, who acted as manager of the team which visited the West Coast, was made the recipient of a silver inkstand, as an appreciation of his services. DANCE AT ALLANDALE. j A verv pleasant, dance was given in tho Allandalo Hall on Friday last of the Returned Soldiers of Governor's I .bay and ( Allandale. The hall was beaut fully decorated, and a good number o; lesidents turned up to enjoy the evening. Tho surrounding Bays were also ivelj represented. Some very beautiful dresses were worn by tho ladies. •Amongst those present were:—Mrs R. Gob bio in grey silk; Mrs Conway, white crepe do chine; Mrs Hall, f36ral_ voile; Mrs D. Colley, blue ninon, trimmed -.vith silver lace; Mrs Kibblewaite, black georgette; Mrs Fraser, white M qiijon, prettily embroidered; Mrs Harris,' tlue voile; Mrs Gilpin, brown floral ioiie, trimmed with gold; Mrs W. Mansion, salmon pink georgette; Mrs Butler, grov yoile; Mrs Green, white c-rope do chine; Mrs Blair, black silk; Miss J. Bamford, blue frosted voile; Miss G. Bamford, pale heliotrope frosted voile; Miss J. Gebbie, floral voile; Miss D Harris, pale bluo silk: Misses volley (3), white voile, exquisitely embroidered, and many others. A dainty supper was served during the evening by the Returned Soldiers. Dancing was kept up till «i late hour, music being supplied-bv Mrs Gorst. The evening was brougljt to a close _ with the singing of "God Save the King."