POPULARITY OF BRITISH FILMS

Chronicle (Levin), 31 May 1946, Page 4

POPULARITY OF BRITISH FILMS

"BRITATN ^FiRST.'!

Sir, — In Monday's iss.ue of "The Chronicle" there was an interesting article about British films and the popularity they are steadily gaining. I have noticed recently in a Wellington newspaper that one city theatre frequently shows British films. During the summer months our local theatre gave us quite a few 'British pictures, but lately it has slipped again and the Levin public is once more being regaled with American pictures, so many of ;them absolute tripe. When British pictures are shown the theatre is : packed Saturday nights and is well filled mid-week. I have been to ! mid-week pictures of American | productions and there has been about 200 people there; one night, in fact, I counted those in the stalls to. 77. In view of the way America has treated England since the cessation of hostilities, and her attitude in regard to helping famine-stricken countries, I think we should cut dc-wn considerably on American ! films, especially as there are so many good English ones obtainable. I would ' suggest that one English film be shown each week, midweek for one week and week-end the following week, so that most people would be able to see them. TLere are also a number of American films with English stars that ought to be shown, too, English stars that we can understand when they are speaking. Half the American speech is slurred and very hard to pick up. I understand the Mayor and councillors have a say in the the^ at.re and as their motto seems to be "Onward and Forward Levin," then I think it would be a good idea if they did something to improve picture screening for the betterment of -Levin and its culture. Yours etc., ' ;h,- . ;i* L .

Levin, May 28. ■ [When the question- was referred to the management, rif - the' .Regent Theatre, it was pointed out' that companies reeeive British films, on a quota hasis, and that iri Levin tfie full quota of British productions had and was being screened. Four such films were to be 1 screened in the near future. — Editor.]