Wanted in Shanghai To the Editor of the "Norru-Cuxa Dany News Sm—Why is it that British films are not shown regularly in Shanghai? British films are growing from strength to strength; with such people as George Arliss, Maurice Chevalier, [Charles Laughton, Fairbanks (father Jand son), Jan Kiepura and, possibly, the "Barrymores making films ion from "Abbot" Chao London, Hollywood is at least getting [serious competition—but apparently. the Shanghai theatres do not know this yet!
The only British films shown in Shanghai nowadays come via American sales agencies and these are few and far between. There are rumours that Hollywood is trying to keep British films out by the device of re~ fusing to sel! the theatres Hollywood. pictures if they. show any British films and by the method of "tying" them "ip on contract, Shanghai theatres should insist on the freedom to show the best of both London and Hollywood, The British population of Shanghai jand "British Interests in China war-considerable showing British films. The British have done more to found, foster, develop and defend the Foreign Settlement of Shanghai than anyone else and yet British films have no entree: what can be termed the Hollywood Blockade i effective at the moment in keeping them out, There is usually an exception to this rule, Round about July and Avgust a few British films have been Shown at sch theatres as the Cathay when the weather is hot and the attendances poor and Hollywood prefers % keep back its films for autumn showing, Hollywood has been trying to buy up our stars as fast as we make them and some keen observers see in this greater gambling effort than the American Stock Market, with similar crash ahead for Hollywood, Hugh Williams, Pat Paterson, Heather Angel, Carl Brisson are only few of such stars, Charles Laughton however refused to be bought and has done much to Dust' the game and put England on the film map. He refused a fortune and went back to London to act on the stage at the Old Vie in Shakes peorian plays at £20.00 a week to Gemonstrate that he is an artist and not merely a commercial commodity.
Hollywood also failed with Jan Kiepura, Some few months ago the world was. informed that Hollywood had got Kiepura on a seven year contract. Jan Kiepura failed to keep the mythical. dale and has instead signed on with Gaumont British in London—the company that presented him to the world in "Tell Me To-Night"
But of course Jan Kiopura, Laughton, Arliss, Chevalier ete, can only be seen locally if the picture is made in Hollywood. British Gaumont or British International Pictures should build a super cinema here near the Racecourse if the local theatres continue to ignore their productions, Perhaps when they have completed their plans all' over the British Empire they will have some time for Shanghai, YON, Shanghai, July 11.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.