FILMS FOR CHILDREN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 657, 8 May 1929, Page 7

FILMS FOR CHILDREN

EXPERIMENT IN AUCKLAND VICE-REGAL SCHEME A motion picture show for children is to be opened in Auckland under the auspices of the Better Films League. This is the outcome of a project suggested and fostered by the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, and the Lady Alice Fergusson. The scheme was discussed some time ago when Mr. Henry Hayward, of Fuller-Hay ward Theatres, visited Wellington and attended Government House at the request of Lady Alice. Now the Better Films League has taken up the question w ith enthusiasm and Mr. Hayward has offered to screen a specially selected programme at Saturday matinees in the Lyric Theatre. The question as to whether children should be allowed to attend cinemas as they do is not under consideration, for the reason that nearly all parents bring or send their children to pictures at one time or another. Many make it a regular weekly custom. It thus becomes a matter of serious importance to fathers and mothers that programmes unhurtful to the susceptibilities of youth be found.

The problem has been met very successfully in France, Sweden. Norway and Finland. A scheme is also being worked at Battersea, in Londonmodelled on certain theatres in these European countries. The Battersea experiment has proved a great success. A committee of people, wise in youthful lore, choose the weekly programme at private screenings. These are usually composed of a graphic and gazette, a comedy, a travel or nature picture, and an adventure story. A scheme such as this, it is to be hoped, might meet with a ready response, and If it is successful in Auckland arrangements will be made to extend it to other centres throughout the Dominion. The selection committee will be composed of people with good memories for the twin joys of youth—fun and adventure. In the choice of any programme for the entertainment of children these will surely be kept in mind. The council of the Better Films League has undertaken to arrange for a panel of representatives to see private screenings of likely pictures. From this panel a group of three at a time will act for the council in choosing a programme for each matinee.