Nico's speech to the debating society, 16 October 1920

[Nicholas]

All material presented by kind permission of Mrs Laura Duguid and the Provost and Fellows of Eton College.

Are cinematographs beneficial to the community?
The Opener Mr Davies opened his mouth and let fall the following gems:
Mr President, my dame and gentlemen.
As I have not yet heard Mr Talbot the seconder's or opposer's speech I can safely say that I have never come to any harm at all through going to the cinema, although perhaps, when  Mr Talbot has made the house gasp with his wondrous words, I shall realise that there is some harm in the cinema.  But at present , I am entirely in favour of cinemas.  The chief blessing, in my opinion, is the entire relief which you get from going to the cinema, when you see such admirable movie stars such as Larry Simon, Charles Chaplin etc.  And for anybody who agree with me that funny ones are the best, let me recommend Mr Mack Sennett who produces by far the funniest films that I have ever seen, which is saying quite a lot.
And there are of course the dramas which although sometimes bad are often good and never in my opinion do you come to any harm except boring you and giving you a headache occasionally.  As the history specialists are at present doing [honours?] it occurs to me that the Odyssey and the Iliad could be admirably done in the cinema.
Then there are the instructive ones, which are numerous.  Pathe Pictorial is by far the best of these.  You are shown Norwegian boys being transported, which always makes people burn with enthusiasm.  It's a cheap amusement, excellent for rainy days and surely a deaf and dumb man can find great amusement out of a cinema.
Well, I'll leave you to think it over.
With the President's leave I'll sit down.

[ecb]

Well I must agree that when I see "Norwegian boys being transported" I am not only instructed but I positively burn with enthusiasm!

(And I like Charlie Chaplin too!      )

Nicholas :thanks for all these insights into the Davies brothers as Etonians!