Movie Makers (Jan-Dec 1947)

421 THE FILM SHORTAGE WHENEVER we want to buy something and cannot get it, we start a hunt for the personal devil that has caused the lack of supply. If anybody tells us that the shortage is caused by "general conditions," we shake our heads and mutter vaguely that "somebody must be to blame." We feel certain that our discomfort is brought about by the failure of some individual or individuals to take action that should clear the whole matter up. This hunt for villains is an entirely human and understandable thing, but like so many other emotions that come from personal irritation, it is generally based upon a wrong estimate of the situation. This happens to be the case with the shortage of amateur film, because it is the real culprit — general conditions — that we should assail. A little sane reflection will show us that no manufacturer is happy when his product is in great demand and his supply is limited. A manufacturer always wants to sell as much of what he makes as he can. There is no deep laid scheme in his mind for keeping from his customers what they would like to have. What has happened that brings about the film shortage is a combination of several factors, and not the failure of manufacturers to give us what we want. These manufacturers knew that the post-war demand for film would be large, and they made every effort to meet it. They had to base their action upon estimates, and estimates that were made during the war. Then they had to bring their estimates into line with the expansions of plant and personnel that were possible. Film requires buildings and machinery for its production; there must be trained workers who can perform the intricate processes of film making. It is not a question of taking raw material and mixing it in a wooden vat, to be turned out over night. The whole building industry of the United States has been badly disorganized ever since the war began, and the end of the fighting did not bring a reorganization. Machines are needed, and steel is necessary to make them. Above all, trained people are needed, to make and operate the machines, which must be installed in proper buildings. It is just these general conditions — and not the mismanagement of business executives — that have brought about the film shortage. If we must blame somebody, let us be honest. Let us blame the civilized world for having permitted war again to disturb our production, our national progress (including our recreation) and our entire lives. c ACL Founded in 1926, the Amateur Cinema League, Inc., publisher of Movie Makers, is an international organization of filmers. The League offers its members help in planning and making movies. It aids movie clubs and maintains for them a film exchange. It has various special services and publications for members. The League completely owns and operates Movie Makers. Your membership is invited. Five dollars a year. Address all inquiries to AMATEUR CINEMA LEAGUE, INC. 42") LEXINGTON AVE.. NEWYORK 1 7. N.Y..U.S. A. Amateur Cinema League offices are open from V:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Mondays through Fridays THE AMATEUR CINEMA LEAGUE, INC Hiram Percy Maxim, Founder DIRECTORS JOHN V. HANSEN, President C. R. DOOLEY, Vice President ETHELBERT WARFIELD. Tren MRS. L. S. GALVIN . H. EARL HOOVER HAROLD E. B. SPEIGHT . PHILIP N. THEVENET FLOYD L. VANDERPOEL STEPHEN F. VOORHEES . ROY W. WINTON. Managing Direc Washington, O. C, . Summit, N. J. New York City Lima, Ohio . Chicago, III. . Elmira, N. Y. . Dallas, Texas Litchfield, Conn. New York City New York City