An obviously well-informed correspondent has. revealed one of the Feasons for the inability of Shanghai to see some of the best British films writhe high prices put on their release in China by the owners of the world-ights for distribution. Nevertheless some quite interesting British firns have been shown under the auspices of the Shanghai distributors" for Gaumont-British and also. by exhhibitors who do not confine' their Programmes to films of any. particular nationality. "The present" sea son at the Carlton Theatre has been encouraging to British films, even all the programmes have not reached the highest standard. The revivals of this week, for example, have been Much appreciated. It is to be hoped that, sooner or later, something will be done to give British firns a surer approach to the Shanghai" theatre. Questions asked in Parliament have shown that attention is being given to the matter, but the attitude of the Hongkong Government has not' been favourable to a rapid advance, Rats the experience of Belch Sims in a British colony, Shanghai can hardly be blamed' for diffidence. There is a desire here to see frst lass British films and the trade In Great Britain would be well-advised to study the conditions by which It can justify its claims. Compulsion on local exhibitors to show ims from British studios which do not come up to the best standards pre-Judices the chances of ims of undoubled excellence,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.