British Films and the Cinema

Abstract

THE Committee appointed by the Board of Trade to consider the position of British films in view of the approaching expiry of the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927, has now issued its report (Cmd. 5320. London: H.M. Stationery Office. 9cZ. net). It finds that in some important respects the situation is still the same as in 1926, The much greater home market available for United States films, which is represented by some 11,500 picture-houses and a seating capacity of about 10,000,000, as against 4,300 cinemas in Britain and a seating capacity, including that of the Dominions, of less than 6,000,000, offers a security encouraging a flow of capital to the American industry which finds no parallel here. The United States accordingly occupies a commanding position, contributing all but 25 per cent of the films shown in Great Britain, and the Committee was unanimous in its decision that the quota system should be continued and the quotas, under certain conditions, increased. The detailed proposals of the report are accordingly designed to deal with admitted flaws in the present system rather than to modify its principles. A quality test is proposed to restrict the deplorable output of bad films made simply to satisfy quota requirements. An increase in the penalty for blind booking, which is to apply to renters and not to exhibitors, removal of restrictions on advance booking but prohibition of block booking, and the application of the quota system to short as well as to long films are among other recommendations of the Committee. It is suggested that long and short films should be judged by different standards, and stress is laid upon the value of the short film as an opportunity of experimenting with new ideas within reasonably safe financial limits. The ultimate aim of the measures proposed is to reach a quota of fifty per cent in the next ten years, and to give effect to its recommendations and administer the provisions of the new legislation required, the report recommends the constitution of a Film Commission of members entirely independent of any professional or financial interest in the industry.