6 APRIL 1934, Page 30

FOR FILMGOERS ONLY

Edited by R. S. Lambert

This little book is a collection of essays on the Cinema based on lectures delivered to the Y.W.C.A. Central Club last year. The names of the five contributors are distinguished, and their essays share one admirable characteristic, a determination to avoid technical jargon and controversial aesthetics. They are addressed to the ordinary intelligent individual who takes an interest in the Cinema ,as an important factor in modern existence, but who has not a great knowledge of the methods and aims of film production. But even the enthusiast may profit by a book which treats such controversial topics as the Censorship in so sane and reasonable a way. Perhaps the best contribution is an essay called " Can the Film Educate ? " written by Miss Mary Field, producer of the famous " Secrets of Nature " series of educational films. She discusses the whole question of the psychological influence of the film upon its audience, including the moral effect which is so frequently the subject of newspaper correspondence ; and her conclusions are both interesting and convincing. Mr. Lambert is mainly concerned to show the importance of the British Film Insti- tute, of which he is a governor. The other contributors are Mr. Paul Rothe, writing on the development of the Cinema, ' Mr. Andrew Buchanan, and Miss C. A. Lejeune. For Filmgoers Only (Faber and Faber, 2s. 6c1.) is not expensive, and is well worth buying.