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422 ^y <^ ^ The Motion Picture Industry
an outlet in Germany for German versions of her own pictures. Thus exhaustive and exhausting discussions have been held with a view to providing for such a reciprocal exchange. In February, 1932, these negotiations were still going on, but with only fair chance of success since the two interests were at loggerheads over the basis for the exchange. Germany wanted to send 40 German films to France in exchange for 25 French, while the latter wanted it 25 to 25. The only interest which the American trade has in any such proposal is that in any exchange American films produced in France shall be regarded as French. The Germans have appeared unwilling to concede this, but the French had agreed that they would not enter into such an agreement on any other basis.
The English law was of a somewhat different character. Instead of dealing directly with the number of foreign films that could be imported, it required that English exhibitors reserve a certain portion of their screen time for British pictures, this portion increasing from year to year. This system has not been without its drawbacks. To the American, at least, most British films are too long, and the fault is particularly the result of the quota act which allows every foot of film to be counted in the computation of the percentage. The result is that a very large number of the films would be much better if they were ruthlessly cut.
The restriction quotas were set for a ten-year period under the Cinematograph Films Act which became effective on January 1, 1928. During the year ending March 1, 1929, the distributors' quota was 7j4%, while the exhibitors' quota for the year ending September 30, 1929, was 5% ; in other words, British theaters were required to devote that percentage of their playing time to British-made films. These percentages increase gradually under the act until by 1938 both distributors and exhibitors will be required to devote 20% of their time to British-made films, a requirement, however, ceasing automatically in 1940. It is necessary for exhibitors to be licensed by special permit for each of their