National Boost at Britain’s Expense

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 176, 15 October 1927, Page 25 (Supplement)

National Boost at Britain’s Expense

America’s “Taste ” That the movie screen in Europe catered for the lowest type only, and fhat in America it was used for national “boosting,” were the opinions expressed by Captain Geoffrey Malin, British official photographer on the \\ estern Front, in evidence given before the Film Commission in Sydney last week. He read a report on the cinema position in European and Asiatic countries. Referring to film conditions in Australia, he preferred to withhold his report, as he was reporting direct to London. Referring to the position in Great Britain, witness said the film was of 2° use for national propaganda. In Lhgland 90 per cent, of the films shown x Y er ® American. American organisation was as near perfection as possible. Germany appeared to be the °nly nation that was making any seri°us attempt to challenge America’s Potion in the film world. Switzerland was asking for British “lms. The Swiss wanted to see British scenes and British life. It was getting fired of gilded American beauties, kpain was following Switzerland dn this respect. The Spaniard asked for melodrama That was because the Lat/i races were intensely dramatic. Referring to humorous films, Cap--ain Malin said that what might appeal to one national temperament as funny would pass as sheer stupidity *fith another. Reverting to the danger of American screen propaganda in India and other Asiatic countries, witness said undermining the influence <>f lne British Empire, with Asiatics. It Jitaeked England's system of dealing natives.