BRITISH FILMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 199, 23 August 1926, Page 8

BRITISH FILMS.

A CONFERENCE FAILS.

QUOTA SYSTEM ADVOCATED. MATTER FOR IMPERIAL GATHERING. (By ALFRED MACK.) Under the headings, "Film Exhibitors Who Only Talk-." "A Win For the United States." the film critic of the London "P.iily Mail" sums up the unfortunate result of the recent extremely important conference of exhibitors held at Brighton. The outcome, so far as he'ping Britir.'i film production wa3 concerned, was rtgligible. T'lis fai"t h;is caused ; rra\e concern at Hone, for tlu eonfe:'un.e was held at a time vvlion it was hoped that some -!efi; ,: te basis would be f mnd on which to Lu'.M up the industry at j)ic.»ent languie'iinp in a mo:; humiliating position. A torrent of suggestions have, and are, being made, but nothing lias been achieved. In failing to evolve a plan during their conference, the exhibitors, according to the "Daily Mail," once more, wittingly or unwittingly, did exactly what their task-masters in America wished them to do. Among other things, they defeated the quota scheme for placing a definite and increasing proportion of British films on British screens. The quota system was earnestly recommended by many authorities, including Sir Robert Donald, who used the German film industry as an example of what a great defensive measure it had proved itself. In his series of articles, full uee of which has been made in these columns, Sir Robert showed what lessons Britain could from the country -whose picture industry is second in importance only to that of the Monopolism America.

And before passing, I should like here to answer a writer in a Xew Zealand motion picture journal, who, in a more or loss facetious article, refers to my having made alarming statements about a Crerman plot to capture the British film market. I am at a loss to understand where he got the suggestion. It has never been suggested that Germany had any such intentions. She is trying to build up her own film industry, and has succeeded where Britain has gr> f".r failed. That is why she has a lesson that Britain might well learn and tha-t ie all that has been intimated in the articles. American Bluff. According to Sir Robert Donald, the quota system ie both constructive and defensive in policy and unless it is introduced, the cinema trade will play into the hands of the American trusts, who have threatened that if Britain introduces the 3cheme ; they will institute a boycott, as they have done elsewhere. This ie mere bluff. The British market is essential to the American industry. Mr. William H. Hays, head of the American industry himself, declared that between 2.3 and FO per cent of the gross revenue of the. American companies comes from the foreign field. If this revenue is cut off, or seriously curtailed, the industry, as a whole, will face bankruptcy. Dominions Ready. The industry should be built up by men. of big ideas. The time has come for revealing an Empire scheme. The Dominions, according to the investigator, are impatient to do their part. He refers to Australia's ruthless censorship and stinging tax, and also to the fact that two admirable New Zealan<l pictures arrived recently in London, one the dramatic story of a settler, the ■ other a '"thrilling romance of that most picturesque and poetic Pacific race, the 1 Maoris, played by themselves." The producer of both is a Dane. Mr. Gustav I'auli. who made ''David Livingstone." The Dominions are making things easy for the British producer. It is held that part of a big sum of money set apart for advertising British goods, should be devoted to encouraging British films. England has most beautiful themes on which to base pictures. The selection should be made on the best advice, and the films made in a style equal to the foremost masterpieces. An advisory selection committee is recommended, to include such men as Mr. Rudyard Kipling, Mr. John Buchan, Sir Auckland C.pddes, Sir Gilbert Parker. Mr. John Drinkwater. Mr. Somerset Maughan. and a numher of other responsible people. These "builders."' says Sir Robert Donald, must he prepared to face the obligation of a few years' pioneer work. Suggestions. Hundreds of other suggestions havo been made. It is obvious, of course, that modern studios and factories are wanted, the present ones being totally inadequate. The best technicians and workers must bo got, or trained if they do not exist. It has been proved that many of the old director-?, and cameramen are not good enough. Xew ones must be obtained, and, in this respect, Gilbert Frankau, the novelist, who studied affairs at Holywood. says that Britain will have to reimport some of those British born producers and cameramen, the very best in the industry, who are earning in the States ten times as much as their own country can afford to pay them. And. most important of all. as business men will realise, success will not be attained until a good solid lump of British capital is put into the industry. What Will Conference Do? The position at present is thru the industry is no further advanced materially than it over was. The conference of British exhibitors, which was looked to with hopo. failed. • >ne does not have to do much thinking to realise the reason why. At thp present time the American film? are the best procurable and the most, popular, am] the British exhibitors, while wanting to be patriotic and all that sort of thing, had to th'nk. on the oilier hand, of thi'ir pockets. Bii^ in October, dm Imperial Conference w ill meet in London nnd the wUli has h'vn j expressed by those working in the interests of the British film industry and by the Ceneor-Gen«ral of Australia. ! thit the problem will i>e di=en=scd, and I that the representative body will evolve !an Empire scheme that will lift t' ,H - I industry from jra present position a- ! T'ritnin- worst industry, nnd make i'

nrtliv if the trn>lp mark. "Rriii-li