FILM SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26582, 3 October 1947, Page 6

FILM SOCIETY

EXPANSION OF ACTIVITY AVAILABILITY OF INTERESTING PROGRAMMES . In view of the growth in membership of the Dunedin Film Society, efforts are being made to expand the interests and facilities of the organisation in order to provide scope for activity by the members in aspects of firm art which may have individual appeal. The society points out in its monthly bulletin that it is hoped to develop the organisation along the lines of a community centre, and it is therefore necessary to provide more opportunity for active participation. In addition, it is desired to reach some degree of integration with other local organisations sponsoring the cause of the arts. In order to ascertain the views of the society’s . members regarding future activity, a questionnaire -has been prepared and sent out. The information sought is comprehensive. Members are asked to indicate their preferences in- the films screened by the society during the past year, - and to make suggestions for future society and festival films. The individual member is also asked whether he or she wishes to remain a “ sleeping member ” or to take an active part in any branch of the society’s work These branches include practical cinephotography, study and discussion on such subjects as film music, literary and 1 dramatic work, and social activity. Information as to the availability of equipment to assist in the society’s work is also required. ■ A famous German film, “ The Last Laugh,” with Emil Jannings, has been secured for the society’s next meeting, and several excellent “ vintage ” films have become available for presentation during the year. These include “ The Blue Angel,” a German film made in 1930, with Emil Jannings and Marlene Dietrich as the leading players; “Waxworks,” another German production, made in 1924, with Conrad Veidt, Werner Krauss, Emil Jannings, and William Dieterle (now a Hollywood director); a collection of excerpts . from early Chaplin films; “General Line,” a Russian production of 1929; and “Kameradschaft,” G. W. Pabst’s film of a mining disaster on the Franco-German frontier, which was founded on fact and made in 1931 as propaganda for international cooperation. In the, immediate future, the society will screen “The Idea,” a film made by Merthold Bartosch using twodimensional cut-out .figures, based on woodcuts by Frans Masereel and set to music by Arthur Honneger. On the same programme will be a Yugoslavian film, “ The Bridge,” and “ 18t'n Century Wiliamsburg.” The following month’s programme will have as its main item the 1935 Lewis Milestone production, “ Rain,” based on ■ Somerset Maugham’s novel and starring Joan Crawford. The society .itself has made an interesting purchase. A copy of D. W. Griffiths’s “ The Birth of a Nation ” one of the most important films in cinema history—has been ordered. The print is expected to cost approximately £46.