BRITISH FILMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 255, 9 August 1937, Page 6

BRITISH FILMS.

CRISIS IN THE INDUSTRY. CONFLICTING INTERESTS. LONDON, July 29. If the Government does not appoint a films commission to reconcile conflicting interests within the British film industry, a crash is inevitable. This view is expressed by the Cinematograph Exhibitors’ Association, representative of 4242 British cinemas, in an attack on the over-building of cinemas. The association states: “There has been no check on expansion, and in many areas saturation, if- not oversaturation, point has been reached. Film production has not increased at the same rate. Consequently, all films, good, bad and indifferent, have bad to be shown to the detriment of the public.” The association urges that, in the public interest, there should be appointed a controlling body, such as a films commission, to co-ordinate all conflicting sections of the trade with powers of supervision to ensure that. British cinemas continue to be Britishowned. The association desires the elimination of cheap films, known as “quota quickies” so called because they help to provide the 20 per cent of British films, which cinemas must show under the Films Act, which is about to be redesigned. The association Regards “quota quickies” as a reproach to British producers and screens and says they are resented by the public.