'Mr. Henry Earle's Tetter_ on mia prices which we publish' cannot be allowed to pass without comment. Periodically similar objections are raised by corres pondents. It is a pity the before commencing their diatribes, do not obtain a few facts regarding the very special film situation in Shanghai and China." Tt should be pointed out that hiring "super-productions" for the China market is always a hazardous undertaking. The "rent" is the same as that changed to the Amer-jean exhibitor, but whereas he can afford to offer fabulous prices for securing a new picture, knowing in perhaps exhibitor has in: comparison an infinitesimal one. Is he to be blamed, therefore, for safeguarding himself by slightly finereasing his prices on. these occasions? As for his constituents, the "fans" and serious enthusiasts of the films one imagines are only too glad to pay extra to see a pri duction of the stamp of "Girl Shy.' Tt is one of the best film comedies seen here from every point of view. There cannot be many who would not gladly sacrifice undistinguished "fillers"—as a rale far below the artistic quality of the "Inkwell joned by our corres pondent—for a full-length comedy whose chief character is one whose abilities fall scarcely below those of "Charlie" Chaplin himself. Without being accused of taking sides with the film interests, it only fair to add that until a larger public can be found in China the resent one must be content to pay a slight additional charge for wit nessing the best pictures of the year.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.