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.
484
The Rinematograph Year Book.
Sub-Standard Market Survey
by HARRY WHITE
ALTHOUGH there is every reason to be proud of the unmistakable progress made during 1947 in every aspect of 16 mm. operation, there yet exists considerable room for improvement and development both functional and technical in each of the commercial, cultural and executive fields.
The most urgent need of the commercial operator is a national organisation to give 16 mm. a voice. Happily, there are prospects in this direction if the preliminary meeting in December of a number of West Country exhibitors bears fruit. Arrangements were made for the establishment of a representative association which, it is hoped, will be functioning early in 1948.
It is too early to anticipate the results of these efforts but undoubtedly 16 mm. showmen regard the early formation of an association as a matter of extreme urgency. Their attitude is understandable for unless there is some sort of protective organisation the economic survival of the commercial exhibitor will be jeopardised.
The Quota Question
Many incidents of 1947 will be recalled which emphasise the overriding necessity for co-operation among all sub-standard exhibitors. Early in the year the 35 mm. industry, without prior consultation with the " mobile boys," recommended to the Board of Trade that the quota clauses of the new Films Bill should be applied to substandard. In the draft of the Bill issued in December the matter is left in abeyance, but, as at any time the quota may be applied by means of an order in Council, sub-standard exhibitors should be ready with their case.
Additional argument for the estab
lishment of a sub-standard association is that there is as yet no room for the 16 mm. exhibitor in the Cinematograph Exhibitors Association. When the question was raised in May, the general secretary went on record as saying "if a 16 mm. operator wants to join the C.E.A. to seek security with which to cash in on 35 mm., that is not going to be allowed." Nor were the branches more favourable.
A Big Offensive
The big offensive, however, started in October when the C.E.A. scheme for regulating sub-standard shows included the 2 mile radius bar and a complete entertainment film ban on clubs, hotels and stores and similar institutions unless otherwise agreed by the K.R.S.-C.E.A. Joint Committee. But what was announced as an agreement was actually, according to the renters, a committee report and not a decision by the Society. As a matter of fact, it seems that certain members of the K.R.S. were not altogether in complete accord over the proposed restrictions. It would be foolish, however, to assume that this is a victory for the 16 mm. showmen or that the subject is dead. The recent history of the controversy strengthens the view that the opposition will be resumed at the next appropriate moment.
The lesson of these manoeuvres should not be ignored.
But if there is a lesson to be learned from the incidents of the past year, there is also an heartening inference to be drawn. It seems that there is a growing realisation among a proportion of renters and even exhibitors that ultimately the width of the stock will make no difference to the distribution of a