BRITISH FILMS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 36, 11 August 1930, Page 17

BRITISH FILMS

THE QUOTA ACT

SOME CHANGES DESIRED

Tho Film Group of the Federation of British Industries have presented their memorandum on the Quota Act to the President of tho Board of Trade, find it is understood that lie will shortly receive a deputation of tho group to'discuss the-matter.

Attention is drawn in tlio menloraudum to au abuse of tho Quota Act. This abuse, in tlio words of tho memorandum, relates to the possibility under tho Act of "routers meeting their quota requirements by purchasing or contracting for the making of films of a quality unsuitable for general exhibition in this country."

For Home while certain renters have deliberately purchased inferior British pictures for quota purposes with two. objects—tho exhibitor has been compelled to buy them but does not dare offond his patrons by showing them, thus leaving tho market clear for tho American films; or alternatively, they are shown as a sample of the level of British production, with an obvious advantage to the average American film shown at the same time.

Furthermore, the Act does not discriminate between silents and talkfilms, and thus some renters deliberately offer the obsolete silent films for their quota fulfilment. This not only has the effect of disparaging British films in tho eyes of the public, but also many producers refuse to work under such condition's, and thus tho market can be shown to be restricted.

The Film Group have suggested certain recommendations which it is to be hoped will receive the approval of the Board of Trade. They suggest that the minimum production cost of any quota of film should bo £150 per 100 feet, with a maximum requirement of £10,000. Beneath this figure, except iii special cases, it is impossible to produce a film which can stand ti[> to an Amcritiui pro'diiction on which fur more money has Tiei'ii spent. They .'ilao .suggest curtain safeguards whereby (ho carrying out of these suggestions can be ensured.