Minutes of evidence taken before the Departmental Committee on Cinematograph Films (1936)

10 COMMITTEE ON CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS 5 May, 1936.] Mr. R. D. Fennki.i.y. [ ( toni 63. In spite of the striking figures shown above there are a considerable number of defaults amongst exhibitors every year. The following Table J shows the number of defaults amongst exhibitors in each of the quota years 1932 to 1935: — Table J. Quota Year ended 30th Sept. Total Defaults. Total in respect of complete year. Number of Prosecutions. 1932 1933 1934 1935* 130 149 179 147 29 30 69 71 2 2 10 1 * Note. — The Cinematograph Films Advisory Committee have not yet been asked to consider a number of defaults which occurred in 1934—35. 64. It will be seen that a large number of defaults occur in respect of only part of a year. These defaults occur particularly where theatres are opened late in the quota year and sufficient films of the right kind are not available, or where a business changes hands or is closed down in the course of the year. It should be explained that the quota liability attaches to the individual exhibitor and not to the cinema. 65. As compared with the number of theatres (4,400) the number of defaults is not large, especially when account is taken of those cases where for special reasons compliances with the Act would have been extremely difficult and in some cases impossible. No particular importance can be attached to the fact that there was a large increase in prosecutions in respect of the quota year ended September, 1934. 66. In the normal way after a film has been shown to the trade it is; not released for general exhibition to the public for several months, though some outstanding films are shown for a short period soon after the Trade Show in the West End of London. The date of the general release varies between the Provinces and London, and even between North and South London so as, no doubt, to economise in copies of films. In the first week of its general release the film goes to the " first run " houses in the area which have booked it and in the weeks thereafter to the " second run," " third run," etc., houses. 67. In general, defaults on the part of exhibitors are attributed to the difficulty of obtaining a sufficient supply of Brilisli films of m»id quality combined in some cases with the contention that in particular areas of the country — in particular the Fast End of London and parts of Glasgow — British films jr.' not in the public favour. The difficulty of securing adequate supplies of good British films arises chiefly in those towns or districts where there a considerable number of " first run " houses in competition with one another, especially when go of these bouse belong to the main circuits. The circuit cinemas naturally show most, if not all, of the films made by their connected producing organisations and. through their booking power, are able to obtain other British films in competition with independent exhibitors who have only one or two cinemas. The number of British films available to the independent exhibitor is materially reduced and the residue left to him includes most of the films of poor quality. Even if he were prepared to show a particular film of good quality at the same time as his competitors, he is in many cases prevented from doing so by a system of " barring," that i-. his competitor has an arrangement with the renters that no other cinema within a certain area will be allowed to exhibit the film during the same period. This system of " barring " is also in existence between " second run " houses and even in some cases a definite period is insisted on before a film can be shown " second run " in the competitive area. 68. As in the case of the renter, the exhibitor who is in default may make a submission to the Board under Section 23 (2) of the Act that non-compliance was duo to reasons beyond his control. Every case where the Board contemplate the refusal of such a certificate is referred to the Advisory Committee. A number of certificates are, in fact, granted every year. 69. It may be added that under Section 32 (2i of the .Vet, " where compliance on the part of a renter or exhibitor with the provisions of the Act as to quota was not commercially practicable by reason of the character of the British films available or the excessive cost of those films, non-compliance with those provisions on that ground shall for the purposes of the Act be treated as due to reasons beyond his control." VIII. — The Demand fob Bbitish Films. 70. It is common knowledge that the entertainment value of British films has consistently improved since the Act came into operation anil that they are #n general demand by the public, especially since the introduction of sound. The tables in paragraph 59 show the extent to which the exhibitors as a whole have exceeded their statutory obligations in the exhibition of British films. The object of the exhibitor is, of course, to give the public the type of films which it wants: and the fact that the statutory quota has been exceeded over each of the last four years is in itself a proof of public demand. 71. Further light on the demand for British films is shown by the following Table " K ". This Table shows the particulars, taken from the renters' statutory returns, of the range of bookings of long films acquired by renters in the years 1932-33 and 1933-34. Comparable figures for 1934-35 will not be available until the supplementary returns from renters due on 1st .May. I936j have been received and collated. Table K. Range in Days. British Films. For. ign Films. 1932-3. 1933-4. L932-3. 1933-1. 1 to 2,000 3.000 to 5,000 5.001 and upwards ... No. 50 75 34 Per cent. 31-6 47-4 21-0 No. 60 82 45 Per cent. 321 43-8 24-1 No. lot 340 32 Per i ent. 21 -S 71 t 6-8 No. 101 341 43 Per cent. 20-8 7o-3 8-9 Total 159 187 47ii 485