BRITISH FILMS FOR N.Z. DISTRIBUTION IS TO BE SPEEDED UP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 57, 9 March 1946, Page 4

BRITISH FILMS FOR N.Z.

DISTRIBUTION IS TO BE SPEEDED UP

Special Correspondent—N.Z.P.A. Recd. 8 p.m. London, March 8. A minimum of 60 first-class British feature films are in future to be sent to New Zealand every year. This statement was made by Mr. J. Arthur Rank when the fact was brought to his notice that, due to the shortage of British films, New Zealand again had lo waive the requirement that exhibitors shall show not less than 20 per cent, of main feature films of British origin.

“I am very sorry to learn there has been a shortage in New Zealand.” said Mr. Rank, when interviewed by the United Press, “but from now on our distribution will be vastly speeded up. Our studios are being geared to a higher level of production, while some of the biggest of I hem. like Pinewood, have been de-requisitioned by the Government. That means we shall have extra space to increase film production. lam more in i erested in sending films to the Dominions and colonies than to any other part of the world. Already we have been able greatly to improve distribution to Australia, and we fully intend that New Zealand sha'l have more British films.”