BRITISH FILMS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 131, 24 August 1927, Page 8

BRITISH FILMS

Sir,— In THE SUN Saturday supplement and on the page devoted to film topics, I read the following: “British film producers have awakened. Before long there will be very few films shown other than British in origin . . . We are setting a standard to Hollywood. There is a demand for more British pictures. British citizens in the past have been shocked and amused by American representations of our fellow-country-men.’’ These claims, some tall, others ridiculous, lead one to conclude that British producers, if awake, are still dreaming. For one thing, their methods of advertising do not inspire confidence. What good business man expects to popularise his wares by simply crving “stinking fish” of the other fellow’s goods? No doubt we do get some rubbishy foreign films. There is a small but extremely vocal section of opinion which declares “British films are best”; very good. When, however, all foreign—especially American—pictures are declared bad by this same section, well, the bulk of the picture-

going public is not seriously impressed, that’s all. Personally, I believe good British films are very scarce indeed. Easily the worst picture, from any point of view, that I have ever seen was the British production, "Nelson.” But no doubt, as optimists declare, “few films other than British in origin” will he shown to the publio —when the public, with a capital P, asks for them. P.B.P.