BRITISH FILM TRADE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12181, 4 July 1925, Page 13

BRITISH FILM TRADE

WHY IS AMERICA SUPREME ?

The news cabled from Melbourne of ■ ,83,000,000 merger to control 130 moving picture theatres in Australia and New Zealand, gives point to the discussion here, whether British production of films can be revived (writes a London correspondent). The question was raised by Lord Newton on the House of Loras, but that peer got no change out of Lord Peel, who replied, on behalf of the Government, which cannot offer the industry any protection or even inquire into the need for it. British' films are too few in number and frankly are not as good as the American, and any kind of fiscal protection would simply kill the industry which, Lord Newton says, is practically dying, aDd before long may nave disappeared altogether. Wnat is it that has made America suSreme in this art? There are those who ave it that America sensed at once the Fm's tremendous possibilities. Americans realised, almost instantaneously, that the cinema was a heaven-sent method of advertising themselves, their country, their methods, their wares, their deals, and even their language, and they had seized on it as a method of persuading the whole world that America was really the only country that counted.

So much is this the caee that it is alleged to be unsafe to talk against America in public. This writer at a luncheon at VFembley said what he thought about a certain American trait, and was reproved by a fellow-craftsman, who happened to be a New Zealander: "Hush, hush! You musn't say that aloud.” What are the causes of America's assumption of first place in the public Imagination? We find all our successful writers and actors make their big money in the United States. Most of our famous politicians go on lecturing tours in America, presumably for very large fees. Few of them on their return are as candid as Lady Oxford; on the contrary, most of them join the chorus of flatterers. A great many peers and their 6ons have married American women, and in addition many American ladies have become "leading hostesses/' What then can be done about this film business in which America undoubtedly leads? What will revive it? The trouble is that as soon as a good film actor or actress or child appears, he or she is brought up by the Americans, as witness Charlie Chaplin. But those who are watching British films sympathetically and with knowledge of what the industry has to compete with are suggesting some steps which might help. One is that exhibitors here, of whom there are 4000, could subscribe to a working fund for the production of British pictures. As a legal protection Parliament could he asked to make the building and leasing of picture houses in this country by foreigners either illegal or contingent on a certain proportion of British films being shown. Another remedy would be that some very rich and patriotic man should subsidise British productions. A step which has already been taken might be developed that British film producers should amalgamate with European producers to withstand the American monopoly. All this is to the good. But much will have to be done before the British industry can really stand up to the /American. BEAUMONT SMITH FILMS The Beaumont Smith films have opened a new branch permanently in the De Luxe Theatre buildings, Wellington, for the exploitation of the Beaumont Smith productions, under the management of Mr Maurice Ralph. - Mr Smith has now 18 productions to his credit, and what is much more important, is getting them released, and 6howmen always make a good profit out of them. In New Zealand Mr Smith has at the present time "Hello, Marmaduke" on the circuit, "Prehistoric Hayseeds" and "Digger Earl/’ all of which have received their premiere screening at the Strand Theatre, Auckland, one of the leading picture houses in the Dominion. In "Adventures of Algv" are scenes taken in Auckland, Rotorua. Ngaruawahia, New Plymouth, Christchurch, Wellington and- Dunedin, and the sundry scenes showing various beauty spots o the Dominion. This is the type of film that will de light everyone, and shows a distinct ad. vance in local production. "Rcwi's Last Stand," financed, directed and played by New Zealanders, will shortly be released at the Strand Theatre! Auckland. Percy Marmont will have unquestionably the finest role of his career aa "Easy Money Charlie" in Herbert Bre» non's Paramount production. "The Street of Forgotten Men."