The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

23rd YEAR. SUBSCRIPTION: Home 10/6 per annum. Abroad 30/ per annum. “ Independence and Progress” (FOUNDED BY JOHN CABOURN) Faraday House, 8-10, Charing Cross Road, London, W.C. 2. Telephone : Temple Bar 7921, 7922. Telegrams i: “Gainsaid, W estrand London.” No. 1299. Vol. LXXXVIII. AUGUST 26th, 1931 PRICE 6d. In Brief 1 AT ARNER Bros, have secured the sole use of the newly equipped T eddington Studios for their British production centre, “ The Bioscope" announces exclusively. Page 24 AAUTUAL Pictures, Ltd., is acompany Irl formed to undertakethe production of British films for Universal, and are likely to operate at the Blattner Studios, Elstree, it is understood. Page 25 1 AT ESTERN Electric are prepared to ' ’ install their equipment in a limited number of smaller halls on terms of percentage of receipts, announces R. M. Hatfield. Page 25 IMMEDIATELY before the Govern * mental crisis the T.U.C. decided to urge the addition of a quality clause to the Quota Act, Page 29 ’I ’ HEY (the T.U.C.) decided also to * press the Government to effect reconstitution of the Board of Trade Advisory Committee to include F.B.I and T.U.C. representation. Page 29 TJUGENE Zukor, Paramount theatre construction chief, sails for England to-day (Wednesday) in connection with the opening of the company' s new Newcastle-on-Tyne theatre. Page 24 C* S. GREGG , late managing director ’ of Western Electric, sails for America on Friday to take up an important position with E.R.P.I. Page 27 r\IRECTORS of WelshPearson in a definitely frank report refer to disappointing returns achieved by *' Journey's End.'* Page 40 T^OLLOWING a recent visit to French " Studios, W. H. Mooring , Editor of “ The Bioscope," writes on the revitalising effect of Hollywood influences upon European film production. Page 30 A DMISSION price cutting among Berlin exhibitors has led to ridiculous and uneconomic receipts. Page 27 Events of the past week^have transpired in an atmosphere of gloomy dread. English summers being what they are, the whole nation is accustomed to live with a dark cloud hanging over its head. But the clouds of the past week have been different. They have, for one thing, been threateningly near to the mountain peaks of all our hopes. Even now they may burst with a crash about our ears, bringing a deluge of new taxation. The resignation of a Government with desperate designs upon new revenue would be welcome if it were not a consequence that a National Cabinet with precisely the same Budget to balance has succeeded it. New Government does not mean new Balance Sheet. It is extremely doubtful whether the film industry will be able to congratulate itself upon the fact that the formation of a new Government has definitely limited the powers of a political force which stood for new “ luxury ” taxes in preference to drastic economies in public services or a new Import Tariff policy. Spending power in most industrial areas — as cinema owners read in their pass books— is already reduced to a bare subsistence level. Tightening up of “ out of work ” payments will inevitably add to the difficulties of exhibitors in many areas. Any increased Film Taxation — which The Bioscope is informed on good authority was in contemplation before the Government resigned — would prove “ the last straw.” An increased tariff on imported films could not fail to react disastrously on the British cinema owner. Before the crisis came the Trade Union Congress had pledged itself to use its influence in securing modification of the Films Act — in an administrative direction — in favour of the British Film Industry. It has decided definitely not to press for an increased Quota, but to seek new powers for the reconstitution of the Advisory Committee, with a minimum cost clause to discourage production of “ trashy ” British pictures. Doubtless the T.U.C. will for some time to come have other “ fish to fry.” But the fact that the Trade Unions have recognised the importance of encouraging the British film industry should provide the National Government with a useful tip. If new taxation is inevitable, it must be equitable and not operated against any particular section of the public or of the industry.