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

146 COMMITTEE ON CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS 7 July, 1936.] Mr. .). S. FairfaxJonbs. [Continued. Mr. J. S. Fairfax-Jones, representing Denning Films, Ltd., was then called and examined. The Committee had before them the following memorandum bj Denning Films, Ltd.: — 1. The Committee will doubtless be aware of the existence of certain Cinemas, such as the Ourzon. the Academy and the Everyman in London, and in several provincial centres, which specialise either wholly or chiefly in the presentation of a certain type of foreign film. Such films are derived largely from French, Austrian and German sources and have a special and generally recognised exhibition value. Such films are also exhibited by private Societies in several of those towns where no commercial facilities for the exhibition of these films exist. 2. These films, being of foreign origin, naturally fall within the provisions of the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927, with regard to renters quota and accordingly any registered renter registering a film or films of this type is obliged to comply with the provisions of the Act as to the supply of British quota. 3. When the present Act came into force there were, it is believed, no Cinemas specialising in the presentation of these films and, therefore, their special position received no consideration when the Act was framed. 4. The Revenue derived from the renting of these films is extremely small. In many cases it is believed that such revenue is less than 1 per cent, of the revenue derived in this country from the renting of an averagely good American film. In view of the expense of producing or acquiring British films for quota purposes, renters naturally prefer to place American films against their British films. Therefore, few, if any, renters who register these specialised foreign films can be found. The problem of maintaining an adequate supply of these specialised films for the Cinemas and the Film Societies is consequently an acute one. 5. It may be mentioned, in passing, that the exhibition of the films in question is highly approved by many educational, cultural, and artistic bodies and that non-commercial performances of such films by Films Societies are exempted from Entertainment Duty by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise on educational and cultural grounds. 6. The question now arises as to the continuance of the supply of these films so that the comparatively few Cinemas who exhibit them and the Film Societies may continue their work. Under present conditions it is impossible for this supply adequately to be maintained and the problem can only be resolved by special provisions regarding the registration of these films. 7. It is accordingly submitted (1) That, in the event of further legislation with regard to quota, special consideration should be given to the case above outlined. (2) That the existing requirements with regard to the supply of British quota in respect of these special foreign films should be substantially qualified or abolished. (3) That approved firms of renters known to specialise in the supply of these particular films should not be required to supply British quota in respect of them. (4) As an alternative, that such firms should be permitted to register such films and to book them to a specified number of Cinemas before any question of a supply of British quota arises. (5) That some limit on the number of foreign films so to be exempted in each quota year should be agreed. (6) Thai possibly some form of quality tesi or test of suitability for such exemption should be applied with some independent but qualified body, such as the British Film Institute, acting as an arbitrator in the matter. 1584. (Chairman \ : Mr. Fairfax-Jones, will you tel] us how you are connected with Denning Films. Limited — are you a director? — 1 am managing director. 1585. In paragraph 7 you recommend that approved firms of renters specialising in the supply of these particular films should not be required to supply British quota in respect of them, but, I suppose, it is not your idea that this should be an unconditional arrangement, that they should be free from quota as soon as the film is shown to be a commercial success? — No. I think there would have to be some form of limited circulation, certainly. 1586. And would it seem to you a satisfactory method if the film was released from any quota requirements while rented for so many weeks on a restricted basis, and then, at the end of that time, it you found that the demand warranted it, you should go to the Board of Trade and get the film registered in the ordinary way, and that it should then rank for quota? — Yes, I think that would be the case. If it transpired that one of these films was likely to be a large commercial success, as one or two have been, then I think it would be for the renter to determine what point of view he was going to take about it. If provisions are made as to a limited distribution of these films I think he would have to make other arrangements for a film that was likely to be a big success, certainly. 1587. And, of course, in the early stages it would not go to the censors either, because these film societies, at their private shows, do not have to get their films passed by the censors? — They do in many cases, and certainly in every commercial case. 1588. Once it had got past that stage, it would obviously have to be registered by the Board of Trade and passed by the censors or the local authorities?— Yes, the Film Society performances, which are the private shows to which you refer, generally follow the commercial performance. 1589. It follows? — Yes, these films generally become available for the film societies because they have been brought over for commercial performances. That is the way it works in the majority of cases. 1590. Those would be foreign films, I suppose? — Yes. 1591. Not films produced here? — Yes. I am referring to films from abroad and continental films. 1592. Otherwise the question of the film show would not arise? — No. 1593. If we were able to work out some recommendations to cover this point, would there be any object in your proposal in paragraph (5). that some limit should be agreed on the number of foreign films to be exempted. I suppose to have the test by trying them out on a limited scale would be enough? — Yes. I only put that suggestion forward rather tentatively as a mat tor possibly for negotiation. 1594. (The Hon. Eleanor Plvmer): Is there a growing public for these foreign films? — Yes. there is, but. of course, the problem of supply comes in again there. 1 think that the public would grow if there were a larger supply. At the moment certain films have to go round and round, and it does not help much on the whole. 1595. You think the development is definitely hampered by the difficulties of supply? Yes. 1596. And that with an increased supply demand would follow? 1 think so. yes. and with an increased supply I think more of these cinema-, would spring up. At the moment the supply is so uncertain that cinemas arc afraid of a policy of showing tins type of film because they are not sure that the supply will be maintained. 1597. I see. You mention several provincial centres — I know one or two; which are the