The Film Society

of baler twine. He provided lengths of twine so that we could all try our hand at this rural craft. This was a somewhat unusual meeting, but was enjoyed by all.

Doctor Scott of the Anderton-Richardson Fertilizer Company Limited came along on 25th November to give an illustrated talk on "Soils and Fertilizers". If somewhat complicated, the talk provided valuable information for many.

The final meeting of the term was held on the 9th December when two films were shown. At the end of the meeting C. S. Martinson was elected Treasurer and G. M. Barton joined the committee. The Club's thanks were extended by the Chairman to J. S. Atkinson for his valuable services to the Club. T.H.V.

The Magnificent Seven already has something of a classic status in the cinema which North-West Frontier will never share, and yet they have much in common : they are both period-piece dramas portraying in simple and heroic terms a group of people with conflicting ideas of purpose and loyalty. And inasmuch as North-West Frontier was an easier film to watch, it was more obvious: there were well-turned episodes of tension, and a stout defence of what used to be considered the traditional British virtues of modesty and courage. The weakness of The Magnificent Seven is shown in the use of that word "magnificent". Its original, the Japanese The Seven Samurai, is even more epic in length and action, but it takes great pains to base the glamour of the fighting in real human terms : the American version is notable for the performance of Yul Brynner and the powerfully managed story-line, but by and large it suffered from the usual Hollywood substitutes for deeply felt portrayal—luxury of presentation and panache.

Alfred Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief is a clever film, and is a good example of his ability to combine comedy with his own brand of drama. He demands an intelligent response, and this is an important element in the success of his entertainment, because no sooner has the audience discovered one little nuance with delight than it has abruptly to turn its attention to another. There is an aura of suggestion of character and meaning pervading the settings, like the fancy-dress ball, the dialogues, as with the mother, and even the chase scenes: in a delightful moment a French police car founders for the sake of a totally unconcerned chicken.

There came a break at this point, not only in time, but also in public relations: the Society was nearly closed because of the complete inability of a few people to realise that leaving litter behind really is both antisocial and not very flattering as a means of self-expression. Let's hope no more need be said.

Of the three short films in the final programme Spike Milligan's Treasure Island, W.C.2 was the least successful. As a revelation of what goes on behind the scenes in Denmark Street it was too careful not to offend, so that one had to be content with one or two pieces of goonery and some rather flat commentary, interviewing and camera-work. The Red Balloon needed little introduction to many, and showed others what can be achieved artistically with camera and colour and movement. A

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