Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Tuesday 29 November 1927, page 12


FILM COMMISSION.

Australian Pictures.

PRODUCERS' DIFFICULTIES.

Miss Mercia McDonagh, who wrote the Aus-tralian picture romance, "Those Who Love," told the Film Commission yesterday that she experienced certain difficulty in getting a screening for her picture, but it was ulti-mately taken by J. C. Williamsons', and had proved a success. With the experience gained in this first production she and her sisters intended making another one, and they ex-pected that it would bo even better. Mr. Stuart Doyle had given them encouragement In making the production.

"I think Mr. Dexter was making sweeping statements when he referred to the appearance of Australian girls." witness said, in reply to

Senator Duncan.

The chairman (Mr. Marks): He couldn't have seen you, eh? (Laughter.)

Witness considered that for the present Aus-

tralia should not encourage the production of costly pictures, depicting fashion in dress in competition with America, when there was so much scope for simple stories. Too many bush pictures, on the other hand, must be-come monotonous.

INTRA-EMPIRE MARKET.

Mr. Raymond Longford, an Australian pro-ducer, gave evidence on the need for de-

veloping an inter-lmperial film market. Aus Itralian films had not been screened as fre-quently as might have been desired, he said.

The chairman: in reading the evidence of Mr. Stuart Doyle, I notice he says he has 'screened ton of your productions in his theatres. Do you say that is not a fair show-ling? - I do. Mr. Doyle has not screened that

number.

'The chairman: This is a very good list - But

there are others of mine which have not been screened.

The chairman: I don't think you can fairly complain.

Witness added that picture exhibition was largely in the hands of a combine. He con-

sidered that all theatres In Australia should be required to screen a certain number of

Australian films.

Evidence was given in camera by Mr. W. Cresswell O'RIley, the Commonwealth Film Censor. _