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.
Story of the Yeaf 1 1
The idea is primarily aimed at helping the small exhibitor, who has, of course, been hardest hit by the talking equipment costs and the rise in film hire. He has, as a rule, less room for expansion, and therefore finds it far more difficult to make increased returns to balance increased expenses.
Now, when conditions threaten to become intolerable, he has a coutt of appeal. He can state his case before this joint committee with a reasonable expectation of receiving sympathy and justice. As it was only formed at the close of the year the results of its work can hardly be assessed, but the general principles underlying its constitution are so well in accord with the best ideas of mutual understanding that all who have any difficulties to clear up will undoubtedly wish to take advantage of this newly organised machinery.
The Small Man
Its chief appeal of course, will be to the small man, and with a view to the proper preparation of the ground the C.E.A. invited a return from all halls whose takings averaged less than £150 a week. Although it was guaranteed that the information required would be kept strictly confidential, repeated reminders had to be given to the proprietors most concerned. Eventually it was hoped sufficient data would be collected to enable the new committee to do really useful work.
It should, of course, be recognised that the hardships experienced during the year were by no means limited to one side. Inaccurate returns have been furnished in several instances by exhibitors, as a result of which the total amount to be divided with the renters has been falsely represented. Sharp action has followed and has even reached the police court. Offenders against ordinary business ethics will never be shielded, but there certainly are hard cases, and these will be given consideration.
To help the small man is really the prime need, for he has suffered most in the recent period of transition. But it is clear that his special needs are being attended to in another direction besides the actual film booking problems for which the Joint Investigation Committee has been primarily designed.
Practicall}^ every house seating a thousand and upwards having been wired for talking films, the firms responsible-; for the equipm^ent l.ave turned from wliat may be called the Rolls Roj^ce to tlie Austin Seven market. There is now in circiilation an admirable series of m.odels available at economic prices which kinemas seating seven or eight hundred can use with excellent results. On the whole the national turnover to sound films is well on the way to completion.
Much anxiety has been felt during the year about another upheaval in the direction of the wide film. Four separate devices have been tried out in the States, but either from mechanical imperfections or from business reasons they have by no means swept the exhibitors there off their feet. The natural demand that standardisation should be effected as an essential preliminary' has not been met, and until it is there is little expectation of a forward move in this direction.