Film Society.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20277, 11 April 1934, Page 6

Film Society.

Strong Criticism

Special Meeting of

Members.

(CRITICISM of the failure of the provisional executive to call a meeting for the purpose cf drawing up rules and appointing a committee was expressed by members of the Christchurch Film Society last night at a special general meeting. Mr F. G. Dunn, secretary, said that the society was properly constituted and the provisional executive was appointed for twelve months. After much discussion, a new executive was appointed. Professor J. Shelley presided. Professor Shelley said that he hoped the members would make suggestions that would promise for the future well-being of t/e society. The idea of starting the society had been gleaned wholly from the experience of the Wellington Society. Many difficulties had arisen which were unforeseen, especially in the matter of getting the films which were not shown to the public through being censored. There was a certain film which had been shown to the Wellington society and which the Christchurch society had intended showing. “ Who would have thought that what had been exhibited in Wellington,” he said, “ would have been censored in Christchurch?” That picture was the best one he saw while in America. The local society had hoped to be independent of ether societies, but that had proved to be impossible. Professor Shelley stated that the cost of showing each picture in Christchurch had worked out at £22 6s. To make the societypay they would have to work in conjunction with other societies. Police Action. lie went on to stress that the nonshewing of pictures was not brought about because of a censorship, but because the police took action. The various film societies were held up because of police action, and it had to be decided as to how the subscriptions of societies were classed —were they admission fees or subscriptions? That would not be known until the findings of the Parliamentary Committee on the subject of films were announced. The society had many difficulties, the chief being that they could not pick and choose their films, and yet satisfy everyone. The Wellington Society had put the case before the committee on behalf of the other film societies. Dr O. Frankel said it was left to him to lead the attack. He stated that the society was formed to get away from stereotyped pictures. The films shown last year were stop-gaps, and bad stop-gaps. Why had the society been formed or attempted to be formed when they had shown such pictures? The society had been formed for nine months and that was the first meeting of members. He believed there had been no committee meeting for some time. “In fact,” he said, “it was the publicity in the newspapers that had brought the provisional committee to call a meeting.” A Censored Film. Dr Frankel wanted to know why the censor was not approached in regard to the reasons for the banning of a film shown in Wellington but not in Christchurch. He moved that the following officers be elected: A president, two vice-presidents, a secretary-treasurer and six committeemen, to replace the present executive. The motion was seconded by Mr H. W. Honour. Mr C. L. Rollo said that had the society still continued to show mediocre films there would not have been an outcry from the disgruntled members. It was only reasonable that the society should have marked time whilst the test case was being heard Mr H. W. Rhodes stated that he would like to see films produced in the Dominion. Dr J. Guthrie said that he had been waiting for the day when he would be able to see a film that would be educational. For that reason he hailed the formation of the society. The secretary (Mr F. G. Dunn) said that out of the meeting would, come a lot of good. He stated that the provisional executive was appointed for the first year, as was done in most companies. A large amount of work had been done. The main point to be determined was whether the subscription was an admission fee or not. II it was, the society could not show uncensored pictures. However, they would net know until the findings of the Parliamentary Committee w r ere announced. It was not the censorship of films that had caused the stoppage. An amendment moved by Mr J. J. Staples anil seconded by Mr H. Crampton, that fc.ur members be added to the executive, was lost. Dr Frankel’s motion was carried. The following officers were elected:—President, Professor J. Shelle}'; vice-presidents, Messrs J. H. E. Shroeder and Honour; secretary and treasurer, Mr F. G. Dunn; committee, Dr O. Frankel, Dr J. Guthrie, Messrs L. F. de Berry, F. Page, G. T. Ailey and H. W. Rhodes.