First Details Of New Film Agreement

Chronicle (Levin), 4 June 1948, Page 5

First Details Of New Film Agreement

j LONDON, June 2. 1 First details of the much-di.scussed ' Auglo-American iilm agreement wliieh broke the deadlock resulting from the penal taxation of American iilms entering Britain, have novv been released by I the Board of Trade. The agreement sets out 27 "permitt ted meanx" by which American film I interests can utilise their blocked profits in Britain. These inchide the outriglit purchase | of British iilms, the linancing of Britfishfilm production, the construction and purchase of hotels and other real 1 estate designed to foster travel, and | participation in approved commercial i enterprises in Britain. For the purposes of supervising these ; investments, a special eontrol commis- | sion will be established. 1 Critics of the agreement point out that there is nothing in its provisions compelling the Americans to exhiltit British Iilms in the United States, and ; tliat it provides many opportunities for American companies to extend their intluence within the British film industry. The Times says it is very difficult to judge from the agreement wliere the balance of advantage is likely to ]ie. There is naturally a fear that it will lead to increased American influence in the British film industry, but, on Ihe other hand, the agreement does liinit Britain 's dollar expcnditurc on films, and at the samp time ensures a norrnal supply of American iilms for exhibition in Britain.