FILM INDUSTRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 219, 16 August 1937, Page 11

FILM INDUSTRY

"CRASH INEVITABLE.” POSITION IN BRITAIN. LONDON, July 29. If the Government does not appoint a films commission to reconcile conflicting interests withiji the British film industry, a crash is inevitable. This view is expressed by the Cinematograph Exhibitors’ Association, .representative of 4242 British cinemas, in ail 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 lias not ncreased at the same rate. Consequently, all films, good, bad and ind.fferent, have had. 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 re-designed. The association regards “quota quickies” as .a reproach to British producers and screens, p.nd says they are resented by tlie public. Tlie Board of Trade favours a cost test for “quickies,” believing that no “quickie” should qualify for the quota unless its cost reaches at least £15.000. The association urges a quality test by wlr'ch all British films must be examined in respect of entertainment value, regardless of co6t. n.pd suggests that the Board of Film Censors should be a test committee.