The Film Mercury (1928-1929)

Hollywood, Calif. THE FILM MERCURY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY, 1929 Page Seven Production Boom In Europe London. — The end of 1928, which has been marked by the decision of the German Government to reintroduce the “Kontingent,” though in a modified form, sees a most determined attack being made by British exhibitors on the British quota act. The Cinematograph Exhibitors’ Association, which supported the quota act, is now becoming alarmed over some of its consequences. The attack on the measure is headed by Sir Oswald Stoll, who is decidedly a force in both the production and exhibition of British films. He condemns the quota act partly because it bears heavily on exhibitors, but his strongest argument is that it is playing into the hands of American producers. He recommends its replacement by a reel tax on foreign films. Supporters of the quota point to the fact that since it was enacted by Parliament the English film industry has risen from next to nothingness to a position where it commands $125,000,000 of capital, all subscribed by the British public. They note with triumph that 125 new British pictures were produced during the year and that the studios are at that only just getting into their sride. What they do not say is whether the British investors of this $125,000,000 will ever get their money back or how many of the 125 new pictures were really worth making. But what they forgot to say has now been pointed out by Sir Oswald Stoll. His remarks, as a truthful picture of the English film industry at the end of 1928, are worth quoting. “The chief concern of the English cinema industry,” he says, “is the possible shortage of attractive films. Much money has been invested in the making of British films under the encouragement of the films act. These pictures, in the main, have not sold well to exhibitors because more have been made than the exhibitors wanted and more than the exhibitors, under the films act, are forced to take. Those that have been taken, British exhibitors claim, are, with exceptions, injuring their business. British pictures, whether they are topical or not, have to be held in stock for months before they are used. Then the use of them is only of a piecemeal character, which takes months or years to cover the ground. After being made they must be trade-shown before they can be sold at all. No orders can be received to make pictures or to buy them except under these restrictive conditions, which hold up for many months the money of everybody concerned. These conditions involve eventual restriction of output and disorganization of technical staff, as well as a hold-up of money that should be turned over rapidly. The films act is to blame. “All this must tend to prevent the creation of a reliable supply of good British pictures which could fill any shortage of good American films. Already, because of the advent of sound, such a shortage threatens. This shortage it will not be possible for the British industry to take advantage of owing to the lock-up of funds. The British industry has been made the football of two great electric combines, with im GET BUSINESS BY MAIL 60 page* of vital tnukien foot* and figures. Who. rrtiere and boor many your prospect* are. 8,000 lines of business covered. Compiled by the Largest Directory Publishers In tbe world, thru Information obtained by actual door-to-door conroes. Write for yotrr FREE copy. R. L POLK & CO., Detroit Mich. POLK OIRKOTORY BLDQ mense capital resources, who might have drawn the films act for their own ends. Exhibitors know that either good silent pictures or good sound pictures will fill theatres when the public have the money in their pockets. “Exhibitors can save themselves by getting the films act amended in time to enable them to be sure of a good supply of good British pictures if everything else should fail them. The films act should be amended to include a reel tax of one shilling per reel per day on all foreign films exhibited. The proceeds of the tax, less administrative charges, would be devoted wholly to making up losses on British pictures judged to be good ones, and the money would be given with the proviso that it would be used for more productions, so that a constant supply of good British pictures would soon be in existence whether they were shown by exhibitors or not. In course of time all of them would be exhibited, first because they would be good pictures, second because they would be of public interest, and “Patriot” Wins Best Film Vote “The P a t r i o t,” slated by The Film Mercury as the outstanding cinema achievement of 1 928, has also been awarded the first plume in the nationwide poll of film critics just completed by The Film Daily. Here is the way the critics voted on the first ten pictures of the year: PICTURE VOTES The Patriot 210 Sorrell and Son 180 Last Command 135 Four Sons 125 Street Angel 124 The Circus 122 Sunrise 199 The Crowd 105 King of Kings 99 Sadie Thompson 95 * * * Swiss Company Formed Washington — Society Financiers of Colored Films (Cicolfina) was formed with a reported capital of $95,000, advises the M. P. Section of the Dept, of Commerce. The company plans, activity in industrial and commercial moving pictures, especially color photography. third because they would be tax free. — John MacCormack in the New York Times . >; >: >; >; :♦> >: Frances Agnew Back in Hollywood freelancing! Latest Script — In production >; % >4 $ >e ;♦] >; >; >; >: >; >; >; >; >: & BROADWAY BOUND”— SonoArt TALKING SPECIAL In production — Metropolitan Studios Address: 5426 Virginia Ave. GR. 0417 >; >: $ a >: