Films Facts and Forecasts (1927)

GERMANY 197 difficult to secure " American release," because America already produces hundreds more films than she can possibly absorb. No American firm will take half a look at a European film unless it is a cast-iron proposition, and how many of them are there in the world ? Neither " Vaudeville " (" Variety ") nor " Metropolis " would have got into the American market except for that agreement between Paramount and Metro and Ufa. I believe the Americans were much surprised at the results. It may be advisable to drop this policy of trying to please America. If a big European alliance could be formed, not so much to counter the American invasion (though that would be an incidental result) as to ensure release for European films in Europe, the lot of the European producer would be much happier. It is all very well to say, " Make a good film, and it will gain a market for itself." But the film-industry cannot be built up on one film; it is the steady output of winners and the steady booking thereof that means good business. I suppose there are about 10,000 cinemas in Great Britain, Germany, and France together, and potential markets in the British Dominions. A wellorganised corporation might build up a great business in that market. I have been told that the great problem to be faced is stories — how to get stories suitable for all European countries. After seeing hundreds of American films, I do not believe that the story is the main problem. The pictures that succeed are often entirely deficient in what is called a good story. If ever there was a good story in the original matter on which the film is based, it is chopped and changed about so much during filming that little remains. More often a film succeeds on its treatment, and that