PICTURES FOR CHILDREN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20917, 6 January 1930, Page 8

PICTURES FOR CHILDREN

LADY ALICE FERGUSSON'S SCHEME. FILM COMPANIES CO-OPERATE. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, January 4. The Governor-General and Lady Alice Fergusson have been for some time past interested in a scheme for children's pictures. Some months ago, it will be remembered, _ through her Excellency's offices, matinees for children "were arranged in the principal metropolitan centres. Owing to the advent of the " talkies " and the consequent upheaval in the picture world it was not possible to continue in the manner originally intended, and the scheme was abandoned. Now that the first difficulties of the " talkies " _ have been surmounted -the heads of big picture companies have been able to give time and thought to the new scheme. Messrs Henry Hayward, T. A. O'Brien, and Beaumont Smith, directors of the Fuller, Hayward, Thomas O'Brien, and Williamson Films Companies have decided to co-operate, and it is anticipated now that St. James's Theatre has turned " talkie" that Sir Benjamin and Mr- John_ Fuller will also associate themselves with the movement. The companies have decided upon a scheme whereby they will arrange a special screening at an early evening session once a week in one or other of the Queen street ■ theatres. As the scheme is a cooperative one the screening will be sometimes in one theatre and sometimes in another, turn about, or as each company finds it has a specially attractive picture. A very small fraction of film—almost an infinitesimal part of all that comes into the country—is specially suitable for young children, so- that these screenings will t>e of special interest to children between the ages of perhaps 10 to 16. As likely film io procurable the companies will at a later date try to arrange matinees also on these lines. Details have been conveyed to their Excellencies who have expressed their pleasure in knowing that the scheme is to be actually in operation before they leave this Dominion.