19 MARCH 1954, Page 13

FILMS AND FINANCE SIR,—Your note last week makes a number

of statements which may give your readers a misleading impression of the position of the so-called independent producer, and of British film producers generally, which I should like to correct.

The decline in cinema box office takings weakens the chances of all producers—and not merely the independent producer—of recover- ing the cost of making films. All producers share in the proceeds of the British Film Production Fund, better known as the Eady Levy, in proportion to the takings of each of their films. The more successful a film as a box office draw, the greater the yield to the maker of that picture. Clearly, then, the in- dependent producer stands in exactly the same position as any other producer.