Manchester and Salford Film Society
Manchester and Salford Film Society - Celebrating 80 years of Film
To help celebrate 80 years of continuous film screenings, Manchester and Salford Film Society are BFFS's current featured exhibitor. Many thanks to Robert Taylor for putting together a brief history of the group.
The Society was set up in 1930 as the Salford Workers’ Film Society, with pronounced political aims. Films from the Soviet Union were favoured and, when Pudovkin’s Storm over Asia was banned by Salford’s Watch Committee in 1931, shows were moved to Manchester. The Society went on to win praise from the press for showing films that would not otherwise have been seen in the city - these also included contemporary French works, silent German classics and British documentaries. However, large-scale support from the industrial working-class was not forthcoming, and in 1937 the Society had to be reconstituted, when its present name was adopted. The remaining pre-war years were highly successful and, by 1939, there were over 1,200 members, 75% of whom came from south Manchester.
The Society weathered the many difficulties of the war-years and approached the subsequent reconstruction with active support for the foundation of the North West Film Council (just as it had previously helped to found the BFFS). Although membership was never again to reach pre-war levels, a varied programme of films was pursued, as well as many weekend conferences. And Hollywood features began to appear – in 1956, for instance, the programme included The Philadelphia Story, a film somewhat removed in ambiance from that of the early shows. Of course, this demonstrated a more inclusive view of film, and the Society continued to show recent and classic films and also reflected new trends such as the French New Wave, Free Cinema and the American underground.
Nevertheless, there was increasing competition from television and art-houses. With membership-numbers falling, doubts were expressed about whether the Society could survive. But what appeared to be the greatest threat, the advent of home-video and DVDs, contributed to a revival, since the new technology provides a means of showing a wide range of films with greater ease and reliability, at a high standard of projection. A new venue, the Club Theatre in Altrincham, provides not only a purpose-built auditorium but also a bar – a key ingredient in building up the social aspects of membership.
Like any voluntary organisation, the Society owes its survival to its dedicated organisers - in particular, in the earlier days, Reg Cordwell, whose own century in 1996 coincided with that of the cinema itself, and Tom and Marjorie Ainsworth, who maintained an active momentum for over 50 years. The Society may no longer be contemplating the Revolution, but it is democratic – suggestions for films to be shown are actively sought from members, and each season’s programme is based on a members’ ballot. This has not resulted in any dilution of the Society’s objectives, and the current season includes outstanding contemporary films as well as recognised classics. Membership is rising, and a firm balance is maintained between income received and the programme offered. We are now looking forward to the next 80 years.
