There is one aspect of the rivalry between the film-
producing combines in this country which deserves a little notice. Gaumont-British and Associated British Pictures are hard at work buying up as many picture- theatres as they can, with the object, of course, of ensuring, the best outlets for the films they make.. But this means that the old distinction between the-producer and the renter is largely disappearing, and the -censorship, which is a trade affair, appears in a new light. It is Main- tained by the renters, and hitherto it has- been. largely true, that the people who pay for it have. no financial interest in its decisions, for it matters not to them but to the producers if a particular film is banned. The more producers and renters become identical the less . inde- pendent are the censors of employers whom they can help or hinder by their rulings.
• * *
Previous page
