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The Story of the Year
13
kinema, and the better picture is undoubtedly very expensive. Sharing terms have been on the up-grade, and after full allowance has been made for the natural tendency for the buyer to grumble at the cost of the goods, it is significant that at any representative meeting of exhibitors the first question that comes up is always that of film hire.
Of course, the shortage has emphasised this grievance, and in one particular direction it has given point to a complaint that is now nearly unanimous throughout the country. This is the system which keeps the price high even when the picture has enjoyed first, second and even third runs, and when its early appeal is certainly wearing thin. Something like a sliding scale according to its number of runs seems only fair, but the insistence upon the question by the bookers of films suggests that only in few instances is this policy adopted.
Allied to the subjects of high rentals and shortage of product is naturally the barring system, which is in some territories giving rise to many complaints. It is, of necessity, hardly a case for an exhibit orv. -renter fight, for it is imposed by one kinema as against others in its area.
This is an example of the difficulty that exists in Trade politics, when a struggle between buyer and seller drifts along until it becomes a matter of principle between independents and circuits within the C.E.A. ranks. Many cases of completely unfair and illogical bars are continually being reported, but there always seems to be a point beyond which the battle never ranges, and although there are apparently indefensible clauses in many contracts, it seems that having registered their bitter protests, the injured parties seem to think the matter can then be allowed to drop.
MUCH anxiety has been caused by the competition kinemas have suffered from the "non-flam" film, more accurately described as slow-burning. As these shows are s abject to none of the elaborate fire-protection precautions to which the commercial kinema is subject, it is feared that the public reaction upon the Trade in the event of an accident which might lead to panic would be most serious. Quite apart from this, these shows — free, as a rule — are a distinct counter-attraction which in these days of close budgeting make all the difference to a weekly revenue sheet.
A Government Committee has been appointed to overhaul the provisions of the 1909 Act, and it is to be hoped that the manifold developments of the last thirty years will be taken