Motion Picture Herald (Sep-Oct 1938)

78 MOTION PICTURE HERALD ' -.1 September 10, 19 3 8 j BRITISH TRADE PROBLEM HINGES ON "NON-FLAMMABLE" DEFINITION Setting of Film Standards Would End Confusion Over License and Censorship Control by City Governments by AUBREY FLANAGAN in London It is perhaps not uncharacteristic of the British mentality and scene that major issues of a great industry should hinge upon the definition of a word. That precisely is the case with regard to the British film industry and the term "non-flammable." Upon the exact and authoritative and legal definition of that term hang not only purely commercial considerations of extra trade competition, but the no less vital one of human safety. The absence of a precise and constitutional definition of the term from the 1909 Act has caused and sustained a state of muddled confusion as baffling to our legislators as to the trade and public themselves, for it has failed to define the control which administrative authorities have the right to exercise over the bulk of unlicensed film shows. Recent developments in the non-flammable situation in Britain have sharpened the issue, and it is not unlikely that one of the first tasks to face the Home Office Advisory Committee, over which presides the Lord Stonehaven, will be to consider the insistence, on a standard from which there shall be no deviation. With the return of many members of the Committee from their summer vacation, an early meeting is likely, and it is understood that certain members, notably Mr. Reginald Stamp, Chairman of the London County Council Entertainments Committee, are anxious to have the matter settled sharply and finally. Until licensing authorities are enabled to go back to a constitutional precedent or a legalized definition, the Home Office, governing body administering the Act, cannot hope to secure unity. Licensing and Control Involved Bound up not indirectly with the "non-flam" issue, inasmuch as it is directly bound up with the 1909 Act, are the questions of advance theatre licensing and seat price control, on both of which subjects some impatience has been shown by the London County Council, in regard to the latter, by announcing its intention to promote special legislation on the matter. Pressure on these and other points will certainly impel the Government either to take or promote action in the direction of consistent legislation throughout the country. During the last few days the "non-flam" problem has been brought to a head by the action of the Surrey County Council in claiming control over allegedly "non-flam" film exhibitions given in unlicensed premises. The body concerned, and its parent organization, have j challenged the Council ban and threatened a legal fight. The decision of the Council, with its resulti ant controversy, probably spurred on the Brit' ish Standards Institution to the preparation and circulation to trade bodies of a draft specification defining "non-flam" film. Their proposals ! are in line with the International Standards ; ITALIAN PRODUCT SET FOR ENGLAND An officially sponsored organization, B.M.D., Ltd., headed by several Italian public figures, plans to market a number of dubbed Italian pictures in England. An exchange of British films to be shown in Italy is reported to be part of the agreement but plans have not been elaborated. The first film to be released under the plan is "Tonight at Eleven," which is completed. Fifteen others are promised by Z. de L. Bakanowski, managing director of the new company. Institution's definition, and lay down that safety or "non-flam" film shall be the term applied to slow burning film the burning time of which for a 35 cm. strip is not less than 45 seconds for film .08 mm. thick or over, or not less than 30 seconds for film within that limit. Stock should be deemed "difficult to ignite" if it does not ignite within 10 minutes in a temperature of 300 degrees centigrade. The proposal is intended to apply both to the 35mm. and 16mm. stock. The trade would welcome an unequivocal definition with its inevitable sequel of sharpened control, for it would put an immediate bar up against the increasing menace of nontheatrical shows given under the auspices of churches, chapels, drinking saloons, political organizations, cooperative bodies, advertisers and so forth, shows often given in premises in which flammable film shows would never be permitted, and which are in the highest degree dangerous, and a direct provocation to potential panic. The Surrey incident arose when a local — Sutton— Society were informed that it would be necessary for full cinematograph licenses to be taken out for shows given by them on what was alleged to be "non-flam" film. It was the contention of the Council that all "non-flam" stock so far shown is actually flammable, and that no exception could be made where that type of film was shown. They have no jurisdiction, of course, over private houses, but claim control over performances to which members of the public are admitted either by payment or otherwise, and insist upon certain provisions in regard to exists, gangways, seats, etc., exactly as in theatres. (The Sutton shows have been given in a converted stable). The amateur body involved and its parent organization, the Institute of Amateur Photographers, contend that the Council have no jurisdiction over private shows. Though the matter at first sight might appear to have but little trade significance, inasmuch as it centres upon an obscure amateur activity, trade interest is widespread and intense, because the whole question is bound up inextricably with the non-commercial film show. On this aspect, and with the determination that outside shows should not be permitted, neither from the point of view of trade competition nor that of public safety, to make use of a loophole in the Act. British exhibitors are not only watching the matter, but will bring it to the forefront of their discussions in the immediate future. The Sub-standard Cinematograph Association, trade body embracing the manufacture of sub standard film and apparatus, is likewise interesting itself. London County Council, it will be remembered, recently took upon itself the right to ' exercise control over the showing of "nonflam" films in licensed theatres. The case was reported in Motion Picture Herald of August 13th. The Council hinted at precipitate I action if a certain licensed theatre showed an uncensored film on "non-flam" stock. The decision of the theatre not to show the film, prevented the hearing of a test case of paramount importance. ' It is true that the matter in question was bound up rather with the question of censorship than that of public safety, but the test of control over film stock, i.e., "non-flam," not embraced under the 1909 Act, would have nation wide repercussions. Danish Film Tax Used For Educational Films Danish motion picture theatre owners paid fees totaling Kr. 77,000 to the government in 1937, according to a report received by the Motion Picture Division of the Department of Commerce, Washington. Of this amount Kr. 55,000 will be divided among various social service organizations and Kr. 10,000 will be used to produce a traffic propaganda film. The surplus of the Danish film censor totaling Kr. 87,000 for 1937 will be used as follows: Kr. 70,000 to Dansk Kulturfilm (Danish Cultural Film) for the production of an educational film; Kr. 10,000 for a propaganda film showing fire preventive measures and Kr. 7,000 for a film about Danish radium stations. Victory To Produce Eight McCoy Features Sam Katzman, president of Victory Pictures, announced this week that his company will produce and distribute eight Tim McCoy westerns for the new season. The titles and release dates are "Lightning Carson Rides Again," October 10th; "Singing Six Guns," November 25th ; "Outlaw's Paradise," January 10th; "Phantom Guns," February 25th ; "Texas Wildcats," April 10th; "Pecos Troublemakers," May 25th ; "Return of the Terror," July 25th, and "The Fighting Renegade," August 10th. 16mm Rights Obtained Post Pictures Corporation of New York has obtained the exclusive 16mm rights to the feature, "The Fight for Peace," from Warwick Pictures, Inc., and the short subject, "Dawn to Dawn," from Cameron O'Day Macpherson. May Direct Only Jessie Matthews, English actress, and Sonnie Hale have become permanent directors of the new company, Hale's Productions, Ltd., which will produce stage plays. The incorporation of the new firm is seen in London as presaging the approaching end of Miss Matthews' screen career. The first stage offering of the company will be "Stardust."