FILM PREFERENCES

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1935, Page 20 (Supplement)

FILM PREFERENCES

WHAT DOES STRATFORD LIKE? “WILD WESTS” STILL IN FAVOUR That there is a close connection between the taste for reading and the taste for film entertainment shown by the public of Stratford was the principal comment made on the subject of films at Stratford by Mr. A. R. Jenkins, manager of the Stratford theatres, speaking to a News reporter. He had noticed that the thriller class of book had been mentioned as particularly popular, said Mr. Jenkins; the same might be said of the murder mystery class of film. It was one of the most popular classes now being exhibited.

At the top of the popularity poll, however, he' would place the “outdoor” type of picture. The public seemed to be turning to them as a reaction i against the office and business type so frequently seen in the last few years. As examples of the out-door class he cited the popularity at Stratford of such films as “Sequoia,” “Girl of the Limberlost” and “Sanders of the River.” Next to these in popularity he placed the murder mystery, then light musical shows. Old English and historical films—most costume films in fact—did not seem to find general favour. There was definitely little demand for heavy drama, such as “The Wandering Jew” and “Jew Suss.” “Films with action in them get the best reception at Stratford at present,” he said. “The outdoor class comes under that heading; another branch is what may be called the ‘wild wests.’ This type, although it has dropped right > out of favour in many parts of New Zealand, gets a good hearing here, particularly among the younger section, under 30 years old. Straight comedy, exemplified in the Steele Rudd productions and those of Joe E. Brown, is also very popular.” Apart from usual classifications, however, there were a number of outstanding productions that had a much wider appeal. People seemed to go to them not because they liked the particular type of film, but because they knew they were good productions. “David Copperfield” (in spite of the fact that Dickens was not usually popular with the (screen public), Grace Moore’s and George Arliss’ films, all belonged to this class.. There were, of course, patrons to condemn every picture—no one film could please everybody—but though as a general rule lighter film entertainment was most popular, there was no lack of support for really good examples of the more serious class.