PUBLIC SCREENING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22318, 1 May 1947, Page 4

PUBLIC SCREENING

SPECIAL NAZI FILM PROCEEDS FOR BRITAIN OLYMPIC GAMES RECORD ‘ (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 1. A German motion picture “Olympia,” a documentary record of the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, will shortly be publicly shown throughout New Zealand with the total proceeds from the screenings devoted to purchasing food for Britain. Details of the arrangements were announced by Mr R. J. Kerridge, of Auckland. who said that at least £20,000 to £30,000 should be raised. Confiscated in 1939 The film, which was confiscated from the German Consulate in Wellington alter the outbreak of the Second World War, has already been shown to sections of the New Zealand public through the enterprise of the physical education branch of the Education Department. Widespread screenings were arranged for school children and the picture was also shown by invitation to members of sports bodies in various centres through the local councils of sport. The original plans to show the picture on this basis in Auckland were disrupted in April of last year when the Government suddenly withdrew the film. It was subsequently announced by the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser, that because the film contained Nazi propaganda it had been withdrawn for cutting The release of the picture later last year created great interest but on account of the limited theatre time available further screenings could not be arranged. Legal Difficulties Solved The authorities were also confronted with legal difficulties concerning ownership, and it was r.ot thought desirable to show it on a commercial basis. Thess difficulties have now been solved by. Mr Kerridge’s offer to show the picture in theatres owned by the KerridgeOdeon circuit and to devote the proceeds to food for Britain. The British Government has been consulted, and its thanks and approval given. It was originally suggested that the money should be spent on buying food' parcels in New Zealand, but the Min-j istry ot Food has indicated its prefer* j ence for the money to be handed over tor bulk purchases in England. “Olympia” has been judged by a Newi< Zealand authority on physical educa*] tion as “the finest pictorial record oil the human body in action ever made. ■ The Germans spent many thousands of pounds on its production, and ft is known that the cutting and editing took more than a year. Very few prints with an English commentary are ra existence.