The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

August 26, 1931 THE BIOSCOPE 29 Jack Buchanan and Joan Barry in Louis Mercanton’s new British production “ A Child In Their Midst,” now being made at Elstree dancing act, while Dennis Neilson Terry and Ann Grey — who play the principal parts hi the picture — stood by waiting to be called for a scene in which they have to brave the jaws of a huge python. In the story the basement of this same night club takes fire when Neilson Terry and Ann Grey light flares to protect themselves from the python, which has escaped from its cage into the basement where they are trapped. The film is to have a highly thrilling finale, in which a big fire scene is the principal feature. Revolving Stage for Buchanan Film Francis Mangan, who is responsible for the Paramount stage presentations at the Plaza and elsewhere, is arranging a special ballet and stage show for the Paramount British film, “ A Child in Their Midst,” now being directed at Elstree by Louis Mercanton . The Plaza Tiller Girls will take part. A huge revolving stage, the first of its kind to be seen in a British film, has been built at the ParamountBritish studios. It will be capable of showing five complete changes of scenery and settings without lowering the curtain. A complete theatre stage will be built with stage boxes, in which will sit several of the characters in the film, including Jack Buchanan. Short Shots Norman Walker, having completed the cutting of his latest production, “ The Shadow Between,” is now on the Riviera, where he is combining pleasure with business. During his holiday, he is conferring with Dion Titheradge on a new dramatic screen play, which is to form his next subject. * * * To the cast of “ The Water Gypsies,” Basil Dean's new film, have been added Frances Doble, Barbara Gott and Ian Hunter. W.H.M. T.U.C. Drops Increased Quota Agitation Advisory Committee : Reconstruction Urged Minimum Quota Cost £ I SO per 100 feet Immediately before the resignation of the Labour Government the Trade Union Congress Committee completed its report for submission to the Trade Union Congress to be held next month. In this appeared references to recent “ conversations ” which have passed between the F.B.I. and the T.U.C. concerning Trade Union support for the British Film Industry. The T.U.C. Committee urges that in preference to pressing the Government for an increase of the British quota to 50 per cent., efforts should be made to secure legislation strengthening the Advisory Committee of the Board of Trade. This, it urges, should embrace representation of the F.B.I. and T.U.C., and should have power to make recommendations to the President of the Board of Trade. The Films Act of 1927 should be amended so that quota films must cost at least /150 per 100 feet to produce, exclusive of copyright and recording fees. Following recommendations moved by the National Association of Theatrical Employees at last year’s T.U.C., a report affecting the British film industry was prepared on behalf of the London Trades Council by George D. Slow. In this report it was alleged that the British industry was becoming Americanised and that the leading British theatre circuits were controlled by U.S.A. The questions arose in the House of Commons, and following these The Bioscope published exclusively a summary of Mr. Slow’s report. Since that time the Trade Union movement has been actively interested. Further investigations have been made and official visits paid to British studios. As a result of these investigations a report containing certain recommendations has been prepared for the Trade Union Congress to be held next month. This at the time of preparation was expected to carry considerable weight with the Labour Government, but the crisis since presented will probably react against definite steps. As representing the Trade Union point of view, however, the report is of considerable interest. It states, among other things, that after full consideration of the British film industry and the Quota Act, it is agreed that the Government should be approached by a joint deputation with the object of securing amending legislation to the Films Act, 1927, Reference appears to the Dominion and American interests and to the support of American banks and financial institutions in the Dominions. The report emphasises the menace of Americanisation of the world by means of the film and expresses a preference for the cultivation of English standards, “British Films Improving” It is admitted that quality of British films is improving and the report decries production of British films of low quality. The main recommendations in the report are (1) that it is not necessary to increase the quota laid down in the 1927 Act ; (2) that in order to eliminate worthless films made specially in this country for quota purposes, it is recommended that all quota films must cost at least ^150 per 100 feet to produce (with maximum requirements of ^10,000 exclusive of copyright and recording fees) ; (3) that the Advisory Committee of the Board of Trade should be enlarged to include representation of the F.B.I. and Trade Union Congress, and should be invested with powers to make recommendations to the Minister as well as to supervise the working of the Act. Further, it should make an annual report on the working of the Act and the position of the British film industry, which should be published. As reconstituted the Advisory Committee, it is urged, should have power to qualify films for registration as follows : — (1) Films fulfilling all the requirements for the quota. (2) Films fulfilling all the British quota conditions except that of minimum cost. (3) Foreign films. Only those in Class 1 would be eligible for quota purposes. Films in Class 2 which, in the opinion of the Committee, merited transference to Class 1, could be so transferred. The report also recommends that the restriction that scenario writers of British quota film stories must be British should be deleted from the Films Act, 1927. Stoke Newington Opening Vaudeville in Programme Standard Cinema Properties, Ltd., the circuit of which Mortimer Dent is chief, is reopening the Alexandra, Stoke Newington, on Monday, September 7th. Martello and the Casino de Paris orchestra will be the permanent orchestra, and special stage presentations of vaudeville acts and orchestra will be featured. The Mayor of Stoke Newington, Sir Herbert Ormond, will perform the opening ceremony, supported by the Mayor of Hackney, and it is hoped that several film artists from Elstree will also make an appearance. Quite a lot of money has been spent in reconstructing and adapting this theatre for “ talkies,” and Western Electric equipment is being installed.