FILM WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 47, 25 February 1935, Page 7

FILM WAR.

RIVAL INTERESTS.

Struggle for Supremacy Between

Britain and U.S.A.

CHALLENGE TO HOLLYWOOD.

(United P.A,—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 24.

The "Sunday Dispatch" says that the Gaumont-British Corporation, which, with its allied companies has a capital of £5,700,000, and British International Pictures, with a capital of £3,000,000, are waging a struggle for supremacy in the cinema business.

Tie buying in of independent theatres has resulted in nearly 100, valued at £5,000,000, changing hands in a month. Further purchases are expected to include the London Pavilion and other properties owned by A. E. Abrahams, who offered £2,000,000 for it.

The "Star" says that the British companies are forging a bargaining weapon, which will eventually secure the distribution of British pictures in the United States. It adds that Hollywood renters, by demanding huge percentages of receipts from Britain, have killed the gooso laying the golden eggs by unwittingly throwing on the market properties which the British are snapping up.