FILM COMPANY’S

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 228, 23 June 1944, Page 3

FILM COMPANY’S

20th YEAR Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer wartime; functions of CINEMA Wartime functions of the cinema in bringing relaxation to servicemen and women, conveying to the home front some knowledge of their activities and generally strengthening morale, were stressed by speakers at a reception given in the Hotel St. George, Wellington, last night to celebrate the twentieth anniversary ni the tidm of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Invitations were issued by Mr. I’. W. Muddock, general manager for New Zealand Among those present were the American Charge d'Affairs, Mr. Preston Childs, the Hig.h Commissioner for the United Kingdom, Sir Harry Batterbee, the High Commissioner for Australia, Mr. d’Alton, the Minister of Industries and Commerce, mid acting Prime Minister, Mr. Sullivan, and the mayor, Mr. Appleton. Dr. O. C. Mazengarb, a director of the firm, presided. He read a message from the managing director of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, New Zealand, Ltd., Mr. B. Freeman, Sydney, stating that the firm recognized its obligations of leadership and was confident of fulfilling its responsibilities in the continued development of cinematic art and culture. Dr. Mazengarb said that M.G.M s first production was called “The . White Sister.” Its thousandth production was appropriately called “The White Cliffs of Dover.” He referred briefly to the firm’s contribution to the war effort. Sir Harry Batterbee proposed the toast, ‘’Success to our arms.’’ Referring first to the progress made by the cinema in the last 20 years, he said he believed there was a great future for the film in both theatrical and documentary spheres. M.G.M. in the past had played a distinguished part, producing many films which today were household words. He mentioned particularly, "Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” ’‘The Citadel,” “Mrs. Miniver’ and "Random Harvest." He also thanked M.G.M. for their help in distributing British Ministry of Information films. Speaking to tho toast, he referred first to the New Zealand forces, whose gallant deeds, he said, had won fame for them and for the Dominion all over the world. He also paid tribute to the armed forces of the other united nations, with special mention of Russia, China and the United States. .

Mr. "Sullivan said 'that those associated with M.G.M. could look back over the achieyementg of the company, with. a feeling of intense satisfaction. Their pic-tures-had been clean, wholesome, and ennobling, as well us entertaining. Of the cinema generally, he said it played a great part today in maintaining morale, showing those at home some of the activities of the troops who were playing such a gallant part in the war and proving of immense help in giving relaxation to servicemen and women, Thanking Sir Harry Batterbee for his remarks, he expressed appreciation of the wonderful courage shown by the United Kingdom when it stood alone, without equipment, facing the greatest military power the world had seen. He also referred to the gallant feats of the United States' forces in the Pacific, inch by inch pushing the Japanese away from New Zealand's shores, and thatiked America for the material help that flooded into the country when it was needed, Mr. Appleton proposed the toast of “The Moving Picture Industry and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.” “The cinema camera today is in the forefront of the battle, on land, sep, and in the air," he said. “What it is recording may help to bring home to people with no experience of warfare the indescribable waste of lives and property, and perhaps turn the hearts of future dictator tyrants, wherever they may lurk, toward higher aims than the mass murder which has been imposed on the freedom-loving countries today.” Paying a tribute to M.G.M., Mr. Appleton traced its history and that of its chief executives. Mr. A. Ben Fuller, Mr. O. N. Gillespie, and Mr. Maddock replied.