We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
FRANCE 463
agreement to return to the status quo of the previous period, the seven-to-one quota. The following cable describing the agreement was received by the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Incorporated, on September 20, 1929:
In the Office of Andre Francois Poncet, Undersecretary of State for Public Instruction and Fine Arts, and in his presence, Charles Delac, president of the French Motion Picture Chamber of Commerce, and Harold L. Smith, delegate of the American Motion Picture Industry (Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Incorporated), have signed the following agreement, which they have discussed and drawn up in common accord, which wording is the result of the discussions which have been held for several months.
Recognition on the part of both that a new element which was considered unimportant a few months ago, the sound and talking film, has changed absolutely the aspect of the world motion picture market.
The contracting parties, not having been able to come to a definite agreement on any of the methods of protection existing or contemplated decide :
To request the Cinema Control Commission to maintain the status quo (that is to say, the regulations and transitory measures adopted by the Cinema Control Commission on May 9, 1928)6 which actually govern the distribution of foreign films, silent as well as sound and talking, in France, for a period of one year until October first, 1930. During this period which actually appears sufficient, and which will be prolonged for another period of one year, until October first, 1931, if an arrangement is not reached between the contracting parties before May first, 1930, the contracting parties will draw up, in the most friendly and amiable spirit, and notably on the French side the French Motion Picture Chamber of Commerce and the Cinema Control Commission will recommend to their Government a regulation based on a method of protection different from the present7 principle, which, while safeguarding the general interests of the world cinema in France, will assure the necessary protection to the French motion picture industry.
As soon as the Cinema Control Commission and the competent Ministry will have approved what precedes, the commercial relations between the French and American motion picture industries will be resumed as in the past.
The agreement was approved and the distribution of American films in France was resumed.
The determination of a permanent and definite arrangement to become effective at the expiration of the temporary agreement
6 See copy of French Film Decree, page 456.
7 The American representative held out for a considerable time on the wording at this point. American interests desired to incorporate the phrase "different from the quota principle," a concession which the French representative refused.