Wau Has A Picture Show
p. 80 · Read in the full issue
Again!
NGG Instal 16mm Movies
WAU, New Guinea is to have movies again by courtesy of New Guinea Goldfields Ltd., who have recently installed two 16 mm. projectors in their recreation hut there. The first programme was scheduled for June 7.
The development of 16 mm. talking film to the stage where it can now compete with standard 35 mm. film, is a result of the war and the consequent demand for troop-entertainment. The 16 mm. film is made from the original 35 mm. film and, in projection, it is claimed that it is indistinguishible from the standard type for audiences up to 600. The ad vantages of the smaller film are its light ness for air freighting, (one-fifth that of 35 mm.), comparative cheapness and por tability of projection equipment.
Metro-Goldyn-Mayer are so confident that this film will fill a long-felt want in small communities and institutions which normally would not be interested in the more expensive 35 mm. type, that they have created ,in Australia, a special division to deal with it.
The new film unit installed by NGG is the first of its kind in New Guinea. But this type of film entertainment should be particularly suited to scattered islands communities, especially those that are serviced by air companies.
New Guinea Goldfields is re-establishing itself in the Morobe district as fast as cir cumstances permit.
A number of women have now rejoined their husbands in Wau but, as everywhere else in the Territory, lack of accommoda tion is a determining factor in their re turn. The employees of the company have meanwhile, built a recreation hut at Wau from timber sawn in the company’s saw mill. Here they hold concerts play vari ous games and listen to the radio. The new movie projectors supplied by the com pany will be a welcome addition to these amenities and the recreation hut will now be used also as a theatre.
MGM will supply one programme per week which will be flown to Lae by Qantas, and from Lae to Wau by one of the local services. An officer of the company says that the small community is overjoyed at the prospect of having its own picture show again.