FILMS AND NATIONAL LIFE

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 99, 20 January 1933, Page 14

FILMS AND NATIONAL LIFE

r pilE report of the Commission on Educatioanl and Cultural Films, recently published in England, is a document of exceptional interest, states “British Film News.” It covers the whole field of film production and organisation, by no means confining itself to the educational side of the business. The report discusses the scope of the film as a new influence on the life and habits of the whole civilised world, and from every aspect it declares in its favour.

In its report the commission states, as its considered opinion, "that the cinema has an infinitely wider scope than either the stage or popular litera-

ture, and a much greater influence on the mentality of people who do not normally analyse their emotions, but absorb what they see and hear uncritically, provided it supplies sufficient cheerful entertainment ... it is to-day a major influence on the public consciousness.”

In view of the mass of prejudice which the film industry 1 as had to overcome this report is particularly valuable, and that prejudice received a shrewd blow when Sir Herbert Samuel, the Home Secretary, stated in April last that "my expert advisers are of the opinion that on the whole the cinema conduces more to the prevention of crime than to its commission. It keeps boys out of mischief. It gives them something to think about.”

Violet Lorraine, the famous London revue star, is to appear in an English talkie version of "Britannia of Billinsgate.” She was m New Zealand before the war as principal boy in “Puss in Boots.”