SUNDAY CINEMAS
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Throughout the country those concerned with the moral and physical welfare of young people are faced with the urgent problem of providing some form of entertainment on Sunday evenings, the one period of the week when there is most leisure and least to occupy their minds. In some districts the need has been met temporarily by the provision of free concerts, but the drain on local resources has been too great, and the difficulties of securing a regular supply of honorary artists and halls large enough to seat the hordes which seek admission has proved insurmountable. Some areas have tried the experiment of opening cinemas after church
with appropriate films, but controversy still rages as to the effectiveness or otherwise of this method of solving the pro- blem. It has been stated that in one Borough results have been highly beneficial, and that the Sunday programme has influenced the character of the weekday films, eliminating those features which many regard as undesirable. The views of one town may not, however, tally with the experience of others.
In the county town with which I am associated the conundrum still awaits solution, and before taking any steps, which ultimately might be regretted, we are anxious to solicit the impartial and considered opinions of authorities who can speak in the light of actual experience. I have already received much helpful advice from officials in various parts of the country, but owing to the fact that hundreds of cinemas had established the practice of Sunday opening prior to the Sunday Entertainments Act, 1932, there is no way of ascer- taining their whereabouts and submitting an appropriate questionnaire.
. Would, therefore, residents of those towns where a plebiscite has been carried, or where the local Justices have summarily granted permission, kindly communicate with me so that my investigation may become more comprehensive? The resultant data will be at the disposal of any who may need reliable information.—I am, Sir, &e.,
!WAN LEIGHTON.
National Liberal Club, Whitehall Place, S.W. 1.
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