1 JANUARY 1954, Page 20

power of my mighty pen has been quickly exploded. I

believe, indeed I most sincerely hope, I am not the only critic the great mass of cinema-goers ignores, and I dare say it is good for all our cultivated souls to recall this once a year. However, let us not be too dismayed nor exaggeratedly humble. For, although the public insists on trooping to films we deem deplorable, it sometimes troops to those we have applauded ; purely coindi- dental, perhaps, but we must not be too hard on ourselves.