BRITISH FILMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 155, 5 July 1933, Page 9

BRITISH FILMS.

WIDE SCREEN COMING.

CONTINUOUS VARIETY SHOWS.

Double-feature programmes are the vogue in London cinemas, according to Mr. Arthur C. Davis, of Wellington, who is interested in the film industry, and who returned by the Rangitiki this morning after a short business trip to London. Fifty per cent of the work in the twelve British studios, he said, was turned out by independent producers. Short subjects were not being produced in any quantity, as they were not considered payable. There-were 4228 theatres screening talking pictures in England and 14,405 in America. The "wide screen was now an accomplished fact, and the companies controlling the rights were in a position to place their invention on the market.

Mr. Davis spoke of the expense involved in equipping theatres for the innovation. Many proprietors had not yet recovered from the heavy expense involved in the change-over from silent to talking pictures. In some instances rewiring would be necessary, in others the present plant could be adapted.

Variety shows were becoming increasingly popular, and there were six theatres in London in which these entertainments were continuous, from 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.