Evidence study no. 25 of the motion picture industry (1933)

INTRODUCTION A writer in an English magazine, not long since, opened his discussion of the cinema by saying in substance that, although it was clearly impossible to discuss motion pictures without considering the business aspects of the industry, yet this phase was a disagreeable one to talk about and that consequently he would discuss it as summarily as possible in order to get on to the more interesting topics. This curious attitude of mind unfortunately is far too common. While it is true that there are many persons who are not interested in the business aspects of this or any other industry, yet to dismiss such phases of business as being either disagreeable or incidental is indeed shortsighted. It may safely be said that far too little attention has been given by a great many people, who should know better, to the business aspects of motion pictures. It is true that the motion picture industry does have an artistic side which is of primary interest to many persons, but other industries also have their artistic aspects. So far as motion pictures are concerned, the public is primarily interested in the entertainment which is being provided; hence, perhaps the less learned about the commercial aspects, the greater the enjoyment from the art. The industry has its social significance; so do all other industries. It is probably true that every business has, at one time or another, been criticized because it has not worked steadily toward the particular social objectives deemed by certain persons or groups as being of primary importance. Yet fundamentally it must be borne in mind that the production, distribution, and exhibition of pictures is, and up to the present time has been, primarily a business dependent upon private capital and upon private industry. Its builders had ideals, but if there had not been times when the business IX