CINEMA AND THE CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20229, 13 April 1929, Page 12

CINEMA AND THE CHURCH.

A ROMAN CATHOLIC FILM. PROGRAMME IN PARIS. A short time ago there was a Congress in Paris attended by the leading Roman Catholic prelates in France, and its purpose was to utilise the film in the interests of the Church. An imposing programme was drawn up, and a start in executing it has been made at the talkingfilm studios in the Rue de la "Villettc. Tho Catholic Cinema Committee considered that it would be a good thing for all France to see and hear its greatest sacred orators, and two of the most eloquent preachers, Pere Sanson, who preached the Lenten sermons at Notre Dame two years ago, and Pere Lhande, both powerful speakers, were chosen for the, first Catholic talking film. To make this film was not a simple matter, l'ero Sanson, a somewhat shrinking man, was surprised when a powderpuff was handed to him and he was told that his face would have to be powdered. He submitted to this operation donned a surplice, took his place in a pulpit, and began his sermon, which, for mechanical reasons, had to be interrupted no fewer than ten times. But a good record was obtained, though the sermon lasted only two and a-half minutes. Father Lhande, who had just returned from the bedside of Marshal I'och, go. through the ordeal very successfully, and was congratulated by the operators.