Pictures and the Picturegoer (October 1915 - March 1916)

PICTURES AND TrlE PICTUREGOER 4£4 Fi n. -O 1916 Don f Close our ^Picture {Theatres ! " MOVIES" THE WAR-TIME MEDICINE FOR THE MASSES. AT the moment of going topi chief topic in film trade circles is the "Evening Ketcs campaign in favour of All-British films. As manj readers must be aware, that paper published a few weeks ago a special article in which it stated that "if the Government found it necessary, they would not hesitate to prohibit the importation of foreign films," inosl of which of course come fn im A inerica. Two million pounds itassened was sehl from tin country to the United States for lilms last year. Since the article appeared ot er special articles have been published in tli • .same paper deploring the deluge of American iilms and imploring picturegoers to ask their managers to show .British lilms; from which it is clear that, whether the Government deride to Hop American films or not, the livening .Vacs at any rate thinks they onght to be stopped to prevent money leaving this country for articles not necessary to our national existence. At a meeting in London of representatives of every British firm importing films it was pointed out that should this drastic proposal become an actuality the Government would deal a death blow to the entire British cinema industry. In other words, our much loved picture theatres would close, and their audiences would vanish. What do our quarter of a million readers, all staunch British picturegoers, say to that F We have always stood up for Briti-h productions for all they were worth, and always will do so. But. unfortunately, the lilms that are worth much would not go far to feed the four thousand odd theatres. Indeed, if all the British film companies suddenly decided to Work day and night in order to turn out lilms with the rapidity of a munitions factory, the output would provide but a mere drop in t ho ocean. In point of fact, the increasing dearth of riien in this countrj has already brought the activities of some British firms to a standstill, and the Eve-iiiuj A '■••.. it-elf has stated t hat one British firm is advertising for women to play men's parts. Where Amei ica Scores. Compared with the American industry the British film-producing business is merely in its infancy, and eannol gel much (if any) ': forrader ' whilsl the war lasts. 'The wond srfnl climal 0 on the Pacific Slope, and the ureal varietj of scenery and producing facilities o\ .11 kinds, are natural advantages ich render il extreme!) improl>able thai the British industry will ever be able to compete with the American hi lustVj >\\ level terms. The film industry is essential!] national in character ,1 largo parccntif the leading actors and a ■' rcsses appearing in A meriettn lilms are |>r ( isn. mid. c-.>n\ ersely, many of the 11 1 ud producer employed by British firms ia i b i Ci mnl r\ are ,\ inei iean. Exactly the same position appli British authors, dra maf isl s.and writer-. The American industry i prepared to pay fair prices for good work, and ha purchased quantities of British right novel and play-. British brain and British talent figure prominently in American films. Assuming that the Government is fully aware of what would Occur if imported films were prohibited, it ■■a ins to be asked if the conntryoan gel along during the war without the cinema theatres. The cinemas have proved themselves to be a great reservoir of national confidence. They have put good heart into the masse' and given them incalculable cheer. They have not only assisted to counter the natural depression caused by the war. but they have countered the artificial depression caused by that section of the Press which seeks to injure them! The depression of war and I lie eager patronage of picture-palace are obviously two sides of the same medal. All the world knows or should know how much the cinemas have done to diminish the drink: evil. Suppose th -y were compelled to close down, is there a Chief Con-table in *he country who would be responsible for what might o •cur when the millions who now patron sa this cheap and healthy recreation are left to their own devices in the gloomy streets? Surely the possibilities contained in that reflection are worthy 1 >f very serious consideration. The rich can pursue their pre-war pleasures with little or no inconvenience. But what of the working-la-ses r Truly a blow aimed at the cinemas is a blow aimed at the ma- s. " B.ise 'ngratitude." There are also considerations which give a sa\ our of base ingratitude to -neb a drastic measure as that under discussion. The cinema theatres have given enormous help to recruiting. One exhibitor alone secured two thousand recruits, and his achievement is typical of many. The trade has organised the Cinematogra, h TradeAmbulance Fund and subscribed nearly ! >.o, 10?., enabling them to present a complete motor-ambulance co ivoi to the British EtedCr i-^ iciety. This fund was very liberally sup orted Vy American film-prqducihg companies. The theatre have also b-vi .placed u. b served ty at the disposal of tl woi king for charitable funds connected with the war. In the -Queen's record of charitable work limine the war. edited by Mr. K. W.Dowding,n high place is given to the cinema theatres. The organisations in the cinema industry i<nproviding amusement for wounded soldiers and sending supplies to prisoners of war are also extensive. As at home, so at the Front, the cinema has proved i self to bo a:-: unfailing tonic, ami here is no more popular recreation with our Amu m Flanders. The programmes for the \'"\ cin mas suppli tra le. If the cinenfl indusl I I films al useful and patrioti 1 - trily cease. What about Munition Workers? 1 . 1 i 1 1 :_" asidi 1 wo ild be lost to the Government in tlw shape of taxes on film imports t various otl affecting the cinfl matograph trade. one must also consicUfl whether it would be vvise to depi millions of muniti in work entertainment which has 1 1 popular with them. That the <■ ment appreciates the necessity for this cheap and innocent amusement i proved by the fact that cinemas have already been installed at some of the large munition works. If American films were prohibited the result would be. to quote the words of one of the leading Briti-h picturetheatre proprietors, " that the majorid of the picture-theatre would hav closed down, because the running of a theatre without a varied programme would no longer be a commercial proposition." to -ay nothing of tl. that the livelihood of manv thousands of people in thrs country wonld 1)8 seriously affected. Moreover, there are only four firms iu the world manufacturing the celluloid base and raw stock on which films are printed, and none is in England, nor is there any adequate >ck in this country, and if it v, -re prohibited the British industry as well would come automatically to a standstill. In a spirit of patriotism we are ,outent to have the question of restriction or prohibition in the hand of the Government, but we do not ' the Government will wish to deprive the masses of what undoubtedly provides the be-t and \ relief from the <! : of the war for the -ake im of money that would keep t h4 war going for but aj • [t is 1 -ti money i invest -d in the industry in this country, and we do not believe that the 1; >vernment would wish to jeopardise this capital by introducing a meason that would force the closing of our picture-theatres, in s;>ite of the persistent ••hints" in Lord X 01 tin-line's group o\' newspapers. A Special Constable nearly gol pro I iu I. ndon last week. He trie* to line up the crowd that was waiting :The Commuters." It was tifl big a job for him, so he arrested a -tray kitten for the sake of appearance.