AUSTRALIAN FILMS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20953, 4 November 1939, Page 15 (Supplement)

AUSTRALIAN FILMS

DIRECTOR SEEKS SUPPORT URGENT NEED OF HELP Appealing for support for local films, at a Rotary Club lunch at Sydney, Mr Ken G. Hall, directorproducer of Cinesound Productions, Pty., Ltd., asked that they be regarded solely as an entertainment, and a recreation, until the young industry was firmly established. “Don’t expect tremendous things from us until we are properly on our feet,” he said. “Until then, we cannot afford to attempt artistic efforts which will be financial failures.” Australians, he said, did not support their own industry as they should. They were too ready to “knock” their country, while producers had to withstand trenchant and at times biased attacks from critics. Cinesound’s “Dad and Dave Come to Town” was booked for 1700 theatres in England, he said, but war had upset the expected revenue from them. Assistance from the Government was urgent. Since 1931, Cinesound had made 16 pictures, which grossed £365,000, said Mr Hall. Those pictures found English, American, and European markets. America Might Grab America might grab all the markets with English production in the doldrums.