45 Amateur Film Societies In England

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 93, 13 January 1939, Page 14

45 Amateur Film Societies In England

rpHERE are at present uo fewer than forty-five amateur film-producing companies in England. All over the country are little groups of people writing their own scenarios, directing and acting in them, being their own cameramen and set-builders.

In November Edinburgh had its first amateur film festival. -And at. Southgate Church House the Planet Amateur Film Society presented a programme of film plays and shorts made entirely by members of the society. The amateur is not always content to remain amateur. A few months ago a short film about dentistry called “Tell Me If It Hurts” enjoyed considerable success in London. It was the work of Richard Massingham, who is a doctor, son of the famous H. W. Massingham and brother of H. J. Massingham.

Dr. Massingham lias now nearly finished another one-reel picture, a short story with a practical joke motive, which he is calling “Come For a Stroll.” Unlike the first film, which was set in a dentist’s consulting room, the new piece has an .open-air background. And this time. Instead of fitting the sound to it after the film has been made, 'he is having both film and sound made simultaneously.

Dr. Massingham said that his fist film was begun purely as an experiment. He had no experience of camera work, he had no commercial ambitions for his picture. He got hold of a camera, be persuaded a dentist to lend his consulting room, complete with chair and instruments, for Sunday mornings, and there. Sunday after Sunday, he worked with his cameraman and his actors.

In all parts of England, from Wimbledon to Newcastle, from Dundee to Devon, amateur cinematographers are at work.

The Planet Amateur Film Society showed two long pictures with tales of espionage and war. In these aeroplanes zoom over French villages, German and British troops go over the top into No Man’s Land, and the mysterious man with the scar leaves his victims gagged and bound to watch the bomb.

JOE NEWMAN, a former office boy ar Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, has been promoted to a post as short subjects director. Ilis first assignment will be Pete Smith’s latest short subject, “A Man’s Greatest Friend.” Starting at M.-G.-M. as an office boy, Newman has worked his way up gradually during the past nine years. He was first promoted to a position in the property department, then became a script clerk, then an assistant director, where his work resulted in the present appointment.