BRITISH FILMS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 April 1929, Page 7

BRITISH FILMS

AN ENCOURAGING REPORT

In a preliminary review of the progress made in British film production in 1928 the Department of Overseas Trade says the situation cannot reasonably he regarded as other than a satisfactory one, in view of the difficulties which confronted the industry be foie liie passing of tlie Kinomatograph Films Act in the autumn of 1927. I hose difficulties have not been entirlv overcome and it would he foolish to hold the view that the British industry lias emerged from its last U and obstacles, hut the present of the industry in comparison with the previous years is most encouraging. No better criterion of an industry’s progress can he found than tlie view

taken of it in financial circles, and it is noteworthy that the shares of British film companies are now freely dealt in 011 the Stock Exchange in Lon don. In the last eighteen months something like £13,090,000 has been invested in the industry, and the ifear of touching anything to do with the film trade, which was only too evident a year or two ilgo oil the part of the general public and financiers, lniH now given place to a willingness to treat the industry on its merits as a eoiiimercial proposition. Along with 11 more healthy financial position has come a remarkable growth in studio building and in output of films, which on the whole has proved satisfactory in quality. It is too early to saN that British producers have found a type of picture of their own, essentially British in outlook, as it has been necessary to study overseas markets where the hold of the Americans in the past has been Go strong that the public has been accustomed t i a type of picture moulded on the lines of American ideas. To a large extent the same factor s are at work in the United Kingdom, though there is naturally a warmer reception for British faces 011 the screen and British thoughts and ideals in the stories. In talking films a demonstration has bene given in London of the British ohotophone system and excellent results are reported. The Photophone uses gramophone records with a special system of synchronisation, and one of its merits is claimed to he the excellent tone produced with a minimum of expense of installation. At Els tree British International Pictures, Ltd., are erecting new studios for the same purpose. Jll general, the film industry is devoting a great deal of attent : on at the present time to the whole question of talking films.