FILM CENSORSHIP.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17802, 29 August 1929, Page 11

FILM CENSORSHIP.

YEAR’S ACTIVITIES. 4,000,000 FEET HANDLED. Examination and 'censorship of kinematograph films during the year which ended on March 31 last are interestingly dealt with in the annual report of the Department of Internal Affairs presented to Parliament. The report states that during the year 1671 films, of a total length of 4,373,200 ft., were censored. Of the number, 'thirty-one were rejected in the first instance, 147 were passed subject to excisions, and sixty-five were passed with recommendations for adult audiences only. One appeal against the censor’s decision was lodged in December last, but up to the end of March the appellant had taken no further steps to have the film reviewed by the Board of Appeal. The total number of British Empire films examined was 474, including features, topical gazettes, etc., and the total length was 828,250 feet-. Of this total sixty-one films were produced in New Zealand, - representing 69,830 ft. Feature films—viz., those exceeding 3000 ft in length—totalled 448; while the remaining 1223 films comprised topicals, scenics, comedies, industrials, etc., rarely exceeding 2000 feet each. Of the feature films, sixty-four were produced in the Bri- | tish Empire, 361 in United States of) America, nineteen in Germany, two in j Italy, and two in France. The Kinematograph Films Act, 1928. ! came into operation on January 1, and 787 films had been registered under the provisions of the Act intended to secure a 7 i per cent renters’ quota of British films for 1929. The quota | films registered between January 1 and March 31, 1929, numbered 205, and of that number forty-one were British and 164 are foreign. The remaining 582 films were registered as non-quota films for the purpose of the Act. Those registration figures included a certain proportion of films which were examined by the censor, but not released for public exhibition before December 3i, 1928. The/ registrations of quota film for the first | three months equalled 80 per cent, of foreign features and 20 per cent, of British features. The British feature films submitted during the year under review compared favourably with the films originating elsewhere. No British feature film was rejected.