Announcement: “THE LIVELY ARTS” at North Finchley Library, including CINEMA 61 Film Society, Thursday evening programme from January 21st till March 25th; including film, jazz, visual and writers’ workshops, poetry and lectures; membership slip at bottom. Handwritten notes on back regarding schools in the area, and their contacts.
Tag: 1965
Letter from John B. Collins to Philip Crick, Esq. Following the latter’s suggestion of a “regional repetory cinema” at recent “Federation [of Film Societies}” meeting. Following consultation, it is concluded that people will not wish to travel more than four or five miles to see a film; the importance of co-operation between film societies and schools is expressed (“I don’t want to see a minority ‘cult’ watching ‘art films’ […] I want our members to learn to like RIO BRAVO rather than learn to like BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN [and to] see for themselves why RIO BRAVO is a better film than STRANGE INCIDENT”); invitation to give talk on Kurosawa after next meeting and screening of TORA NO O; further elaboration on the existence and necessary re-orientation of film societies and their (“predominantly middle-class […] alienated”) audience […] concluding that [Film Societies] concentrate on films with complex scripts and foreign dialogue”; the general public should appreciate good films in ordinary cinemas; for the following Fedration AGM, two proposals will be submitted: 1. a survey of the value and function of Member Societies as first stage of re-orientation and 2. an investigation of the location of grants or subsidies.
Letter from Philip Crick to Mr. Collins. Given Guilford as a central repertory cinema [“linked to the municipality and the film society”], and “an age where so many have cars” ten or 15 miles might be travelled to see a film; the impact of television might spell a shift in demand in “ordinary cinemas”, which might then restructure to project “intelligent cinema” in a place where people can “meet, eat, drink, talk, discuss, ideally.”; the Federation must be prodded further than being content with “hard-seat-church-hall-coffee-at-sixpence-a-time-culture”; Collins’ two proposals are part of five that will be pushed “from the floor” at the next AGM; the motives of membership forming a necessary “hard-core” are discussed at length.
Letter from John Collins to Philip Crick, Esq, thanking him for his notes about the National Film Study Centre; practically: no Centre without a Premises in place/ no funding without a Centre already in place; five thoughts on the Premises: 1. should be subscription-based, 2. not only open during working hours; 3. description of physical make-up 4. centrally located, 5. hiring of Premises also possible; request for a specimen of titles to be screened; further comments to points made by Crick, including the take-over of Federations “FILM” magazine; the centre could act as mediator between various film organisations; closing comments on a selection of films not/worthy of screening.
Circular, hand-marked “Top Secret” and “Confidential”, from Philip Crick to John (one of 4 recipients noted at end: Ray Wills, David Moore, John Collins, Rosemary Heaword), stating the intention to develop “a new magazine of serious film criticism and evaluation” with Bob Cobbing; the appearance of the first number will depend on goodwill of authors; whether John has interest in writing one of nine suggestions for possible articles; additional note promises reply to N156NT/1965/Cinema 65/012
Letter from Philip Crick to John. All of his ideas for the Study Centre should be raised at Cobbing’s current screenings; a leaflet has been made and circulated there, and given enough response, a meeting can be called to discuss; campaign is needed before premises; FILM is untouchable, and no support should be expected of the Federation.
Circular from Philip Crick declaring a meeting at BETTERBOOKS, on August 25th, of those who have shown interest in a magazine associated with Cinema 65; submissions welcome.
Letter from John Collins to Philip Crick, Esq, organising “Guildford projector” for Gryphon Films screening; various travel options added by hand in green ink; inquiring after progress with BONHEUR.
Circular from Philip Crick declaring a meeting at BETTERBOOKZ paperback dept, on October 14th, of those who are directly concerned with the magazine associated with CINEMA 65; submissions still welcome; annotation, inquiring after progress with Le Bonheur.
Announcement: June 24th screening of 4 films by Kenneth Anger for MEMBERS ONLY; notification of plans and meeting on future policy [“a step towards the FILM STUDY CENTRE” written in margin; outlines of costs and conditions of membership
Duplicate of N156NT/1965/Cinema 65/018, with form still intact
Announcement: Four programmes: 1. Four films by Kenneth Anger; 2 & 3. September 2nd and 7th: more than 20 films by Norman McLaren; 4. September 30th, films by members of the Gryphon Group. MEMBERS ONLY; meeting, August 25th, for those interested in writing / production of film magazine; films by members, call for submissions
“A probably incomplete filmography” of Norman McLaren; accompanying screenings mentioned in N156NT/1965/Cinema 65/020
Announcement: “Additional Programme” September 18th, films by Richard Preston; September 30th, Gryphon Programme; MEMBERS ONLY; Session of members’ films brought forward to September 19th; submission of articles for magazine by September 30th; magazine meeting October 14th
Announcement: “Programme Six”: William Burroughs will be present for two screenings of Towers Open Fire (Anthony Balch on Burroughs) October 12th; and as part of larger programme. MEMBERS ONLY
Announcement: “Programme Seven: Work in Progress” October 30 and 31st, screening of work by members; reading by John Rowan of “Little Giants of Cinema”; ensuing conversation intended for feature in forthcoming magazine (“provisionally entitled THE NOISY RECTANGLE”)