Canadian Film Weekly (Nov 15, 1944)

November 15, 1944 Imperial Conference of 1926 adopted the following resolution “The Imperial Conference, recognizing that it is of the greatest importance that a larger and increasing proportion of the films exhibited throughout the Empire should be of Empire production, commends the matter and the remedial measures proposed to the consideration of the Governments of the various parts of the Empire with a view to such early and effective action to deal with the serious situation now existing as they may severally find possible.” The “remedial measures” pro posed were (1) “that there shall be a substantial output of films which not only conform to such requirements as to production within the Empire as may be prescribed in any case, but are also of real and competitive ex value” and (2) an “es condition is the developeffective distributing throughout the parts of the where hibition sential ment of arrangements Empire, different Empire co-operating sible.”’ The British film the time was of wide interest and there had been proposals for a quota on USA films entering Canada as a means of winning more screen time for Old Country product. It was also felt that a quota would assist in the development of a Canadian film industry. Replying to one of these proposals the Toronto Globe admitted that “nine-tenths of British films that circulate in Canada are ‘flops’” and “Announcement that such-and-such a film is a British production is invariably received, except by the English born, in painful silence. American-made films are popular with the movie-going public in Canada because they provide the kind of entertainment the average movie-fan desires.” That was 18 years ago little happened until recently to change the picture. The Situation Now What is happening now far beyond the proposals during the Imperial Conference, which was naturaly concerned in the main with Empire matters. pos situation at and Et eS made British business men _ today seem inclined to take their chances in the world market with or without the benefits of Empire Preference, which has been described by some as a form of co-operative isolationism that can easily be by any group of countries organ matched ized for the purpose. Those British business men engaged in production, distribution and ex motion con hibition of pictures isider themselves strong enough ito compete with their industry fifellows of other countries Canadian FILM WEEKLY —— J. ARTHUR Riank Mleans Busimess (Continued from Page 1!) no longer strong representation in the countries of the Empire. They are intent on getting their share of old and Their goal is new film markets wherever they exist. They will negotiate for them or fight for them. The British film industry is no longer J. ARTHUR RANK film is reported as about to acquire a stake in the Canadian exhibition field through a partnership with Odeon. The most interesting leader of the British industry geared to serve the needs of just Britain and the Empire. First to recognize its strength are control the Americans, now in everywhere. J. Arthur Rank and his sn er competitor Britai termine t LKé the tyvt [ film that w match those made in the USA alr eet he tastes or the rene [ ‘ The Britisn at e! t De t « ; } V7 American technicians are pe ing imported ind int productio! deals have been made. British i terest l \ et rehase r made irrangements fo 5 figure in the world today, this fir : ‘ i i g +} roductiorz " distr it ; eaders, are also moving international exhibiti field 7 , . > Europe's productior au} heatr facilities have been weakens " the i! and itten t | t nad t stre ete British Lhd Ly ‘ yy . ; USA PiaAnNs aiong tne that the dream a leading place It would seem of the British for in the iImternational film world is about to become a reality at last. As we go to press we ar that lead awaiting an announcement J. Arthur Rank, Britain's ing film figure, has acquired a good share of Canada’s exhibition realiza facilities as part of the tion of that dream Rank in England TPHROUGH ments, Manorfield Invest Litd., General Cinema Finance Cor poration I t General Film Distributors, ire« j General Cinema | inance ¢ orporation, ; the Metropolitan and Brad Trust, } nt ford Odeon circuit of Great Sritain. th Odeo nd British-Gaumont iar: y mC na ne yf Far ’ " ’ mile) , B3 } The three large circuits men tioned above own approximately 1000 of Britain’s 4,750 movi« houses. The city of London has between 300 and 350 first-run houses, two-thirds of which be long to the circuits. The Cinema tograph Films Council, in the re pert which recognized the growth of monopoly, disapproved of cir methods rwenty British of London controlled by the cir cult booking five per cent of the gross of any film comes out which is cuits. To get into London houses with their others than those connected with filrms, distributors the circuits must that These give way to de mands apply to the rest of Britain. demands favor hurt the distrib the chain theatre and Independent producer, utor and exhibitor, according to those who oppose Rank Ral has reaches i aere t } Hugt ' pre ent . rit B f Tra ‘ Production Power Rank $ ; S be i it ’ | ’ ~ ; : ' ‘ | ’ ing | : ’ > [ qual art im (2 (Centimued on Page 4)