Читать книгу The Times Great War Letters: Correspondence during the First World War - James Owen - Страница 65

PICTURE PALACES

5 July 1915

SIR,—IF THE WAR LOAN is to have any chance with the “working class,” at least in the Midlands, the compulsory closing of picture palaces will become an absolute necessity. These are probably a more serious menace to the nation now than even drink. With the opening of the National Register there need be no hardship to those employed at the picture shows. But there will be a bad shortage on 5s. vouchers so long as the money is spent every week in these places.

Believe me yours, &c.,

“BLACK COUNTRY” VICAR

7 July 1915

SIR,—IN ANSWER TO YOUR anonymous correspondent a “‘Black Country’ Vicar” I beg to forward you a few facts concerning the cinema and the war. We have received the personal thanks of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales for the assistance we have rendered the National Relief Fund. We have proved a rich ground for recruiting, and with our “war topicals” have stimulated many a dull imagination; the Belgian Red Cross Society use a film entitled “War is Hell” to assist in the appeals they make in cinemas. One firm (Messrs. Walturdaw, Limited) have prepared a film at a cost of several hundred pounds to stimulate recruiting, and this they are lending free and also supplying 1,000 sheets of pictorial printing to advertise it, the only condition being that a recruiting sergeant is permitted to address the audience. The Ministry of Munitions has now approached the Exhibitors’ Association and asked its help to advertise the call for workers to enrol for the production of munitions of war. In conclusion, Sir, I would suggest that money might be saved by abolishing the collection box.

Faithfully yours,

H. W. LEDGER, Royal Picture House, Egremont, Cheshire