Films for Children

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 256, 26 July 1935, Page 16

Films for Children

SHOULD producers make, and exhibitors show, more films suitable for children? Mr. S. M. Marris. of the Home Office, thinks they should (states the film correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph”). He has been investigating, witli the aid of the League of Nations, and has made a report to the League’s Child Welfare Committee. This shows that 9 per cent, of London children go to the cinema twice a week, 30 per cent, once a week, and 48 per cent, at irregular intervals. Only 13 per cent, do not go at all. In the provinces the proportions are higher. In Dundee 80 per cent, go at least once a week. In the United States 11.000.000 children go every week, and the film-going habit is as firmly established in the British Dominions. Mr Harris is-not one of those who believe that every childish misdemeanour is inspired by wicked films. “Actually millions of children attend (he cinema every week apparently without disaster, he says, and in spite of much that may be undesirable there can be no doubt that on balance the social effect has been for good rather than evil.” He points out, however, that sometimes children do see undesirable films, and suffer nightmares and other unpleasant consequences. The remedy, he thinks, would be the production of more pictures made specially for children, or pictures that could be enjoyed by the whole family.

THE British Drama League will A shortly hold a junior festival in Wellington, when plays presented by the various societies in the Wellington area will be adjudicated upon by Miss M. Ilardinge Maltby. It is understood that some excellent efforts are in preparation for presentation, and the public is assured of something quite out of the ordinary.