THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1927. ALL-BRITISH FILMS.

Wairarapa Age, 18 March 1927, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1927. ALL-BRITISH FILMS.

Here and in other countries, the exhibition of moving pictures has not cnly become one of the most popular forms of public entertainment, but takes a far from unimportant place amongst the influences that go to develop ideas and mould character. In light of these facts, the formation of an all-British organisation to produce films for exhibition throughout the Empire, and the introduction in the House of Commons of supporting legislation, must be regarded as action that is in the right direction and somewhat overdue. A cablegram on the subject yesterday stated that the new organisation will employ the foremost British authors, producers, and actors and will co-operate with affiliated companies that are being formed in the Dominions and in India. If the standards here suggested are attained, there does not seem to be any reason why British enterprise should not break down, within iJhe confines of the Empire, the all but complete monopoly at present enjoyed by American producers. As was recognised at the last Imperial Conference, there are a number of weighty reasons for taking up the production of moving pictures as an Imperial enterprise. From the purely commercial standpoint, the enterprise holds highly profitable possibilities. It should be perfectly feasible not only to, retain within the Empire at least a v ery large part of the enormous sums now paid annually to America for mov ing pictures, but to use the film, far more than it is used at present as a means of aiding and fostering interImperial co operation in trade and economic affairs. It is not unlikely that the indirect commercial benefits accruing to the Un ; ttd States from its present domination of the film industry are even more important chan the direct profits of the industry. As the President of the Board of Trade pointed out in submitting the Cinematograph Films Bill to the House of Commons, foreign films are at present operating against British trade throughout the Dominions.

The best reason of all for fostering the British film industry is that the film is a vehicle of dramatic expression far too valuable and important to be left in the hands of foreigners pursuing commercial aims. Opinions as

to the average quality of American films may and do vary. Some of the American productions are excellent. Others are in a very different category. Apart altogether from any question of quality, however, it is certainly not desirable that foreign films should be the stock fare offered to British people when they seek a popular form of er-tertainment. For many centuries the drama has played a great part . shaping the lives of men and nations. From this standpoint the cinematograph is of commanding importance iu modern democracies, but it must be directed and used in an enlightened way if it is to be an influence for good. The Labour Party in Britain is taking exception to the provision in the Bill now before the House of Commons that exhibitors must'show a stated proportion of British films. It is certainly desirable that the film industry, like any other, should staid on its own feet, but it has to be considered that America is the home of trusts which have developed to a high point of ruthless efficiency the art of crushing competition. Probably if exhibitors in Britain or in any part of the Empire are given a really free hand there will be no difficulty in inducing them to show an increasing proportion of Brtish films as these are made available.