FILM OF EMPIRE GAMES

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26018, 23 January 1950, Page 8

FILM OF EMPIRE GAMES

GOVERNMENT SHARE OF PROCEEDS REPORT TO COMPANY ••The Press’ Soeciai Service AUCKLAND, January 22. Permission for newsreel companies to cover the Empire Games had been declined in order to ensure the maximum revenue, to the Empire Games Company from the rental of the fulllength feature film, said Mr R. J. Kerridge in a report to the board of directors of the company. This was done because of the high cost of staging the games and to jdstify the Government’s undertaking to make the film. Mr Kerridge said that no overseas company had appeared to be interested in the production of a feature film, and consequently the board had given him authority to negotiate with the New Zealand National Film Unit for its production. The Government had at first been disinclined to assume the responsibility of the undertaking, but, after negotiations with the Prime Minister’s Department, had agreed to proceed with the production. The arrangements provided that the Empire Games Company should receive 75 per cent, of the gross revenue from the exhibition of the film in New Zealand and overseas and that the Government should receive 25 per cent. This was subject only to the prior deduction of £4OOO as a contribution toward production costs. Several newsreel companies had at that time made representations for the right to cover the games without I'-'y-ment of any royalty, Mr Kerridge continued. Coverage of the Olympic Games in 1948 by newsreel companies had contributed largely to the economic failure of the feature film made by tne J. Arthur Rank Organisation. Repeated screenings throughout me Vrorld of highlights of the event must have a detrimental effect on public interest in a full-length film. Mr Kerridge said a regrettable impression had arisen that the rights to the film had been assigned to Ker-ridge-Odeon. This was, of course incorrect. The property in the film was vested entirely in the Empire Games Company to deal with as the board directed. Kerridge-Odeon had undertaken to see that the film was exhibited throughout the Dominion and to negotiate for its distribution in Empire and foreign territories. For these services no payment was to be made nor were any privileges to accrue to Kerridge-Odeon. Mr Kerridge said it was essential in the interests both of the Dominion and of the sports represented at the games that tne company agree on a policy which would ensure maximum coverage throughout the Empire countries. Admittedly, the decisions made had been actuated primarily from the point of view of revenue to the company. It remained for the company to decide whether it should grant rights to newsreel companies and disregard the economic aspect. The board decided to take no action in the matter of rewsreel coverage oi the games unless film companies submitted substantial cash offers, which would then be considered.