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56 . Transactions of S.M. P. E., November 1926
in the narrow ribbon of celluloid and also to the fact that the governments of the world are more and more concerning themselves with the use of motion pictures. One of the significant developments of the motion picture industry today is this interest which is being manifested by leading governments in the medium of the film. It has been said throughout the British Empire that "Trade Follows the Flag." Today a new slogan has been coined which gives the key to the many sided international film situation. That new slogan is "Trade Follows the Film," and there is a great element of truth in this modern-day expression.
The American-produced motion picture dominates world film markets, so much so that agitation has commenced in sixteen countries against the supremacy of the American film abroad. Foreign powers are today casting about to do something to restrain this influence. Aside from the moral influence of the American photoplay abroad, which in many instances gives a wrong or exaggerated impression of American life, it would appear that foreign legislation is against the trade advantages that the United States has enjoyed through the motion picture film and that much of this agitation against the American film has been caused by a certain amount of commercial jealousy because of the trade value of the huge film exportation from the United States.
For this reason and for other reasons which are apparent when one gives thought to the situation, foreign governments are taking a keen interest in the power of the motion picture film. This, to my mind, is a healthy sign, speaking generally. Once the governments of the world have awakened to the power of the film, the film medium will be utilized more and more in the years to come for various national and international purposes. Herein, I believe, lies a great opportunity which will raise the status of the entire motion picture industry to a much higher and more important plane.
On examining the uses of motion picture film by various world governments, we find an encouraging outlook and one which augurs well for the industry as a whole. During the World War the United States government and the various governments that compose the British J^]mpire made wide and telling use of the film for governmental purposes. It instructed, it entertained war-torn soldiers and civilians alike, and it proved a marvelous medium for the dissemination of national information. Perhaps it was the World War