SUNDAY CINEMAS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The opposition to the Sunday opening of cinemas is coming largely from members of the various religious bodies. I suggest that this is a mischievous attempt of a minority to impose its will on the rest of the nation. Father F. Woodlock, S.J., has recently stated that only 71 per cent. of Londoners ever went inside a church, and I see no reason to believe that church going is much more prevalent in the rest of England.
The majority (according to this rough calculation, 921 per cent.) raise no objection to the minority indulging in church- going on a Sunday, an occupation which entails the employ- ment of parsons, organists, vergers, &c., and it therefore behoves that same minority to exercise a little forbearance with regard to Sunday cinemas.
For people with comfortable homes. and possibly ample leisure to enjoy themselves during the week, the question of Sunday opening of places of amusement seems of no conse- quence, but for young people living in towns in uncomfortable lodgings, or members of a large family, the cinema is often the only alternative to aimless walking of the streets. Even the churches, into which by the wielding of a monopoly more people might be induced to go, close their doors at 8.30.—I am, Sir, T. SOUTH MACE. Itaddiscoe Manor, near Norwieh.
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