Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Tuesday 16 April 1935, page 10


SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENTS. A NEW COMPANY

TO PRODUCE FILMS ON SOUND LINES.

_ THE FINAL PASSAGE THROUGH PARLIAMENT OF THE "AUSTRALIAN FILMS (QUOTA) ACT 1935" MARKS THE BIRTH OF A NEW ERA IN AUSTRALIAN MOTION

PICTURE PRODUCTION.

This Act provides that every distributor (or w ile dealer In films) shall acquire and every picture theatre shall exhibit a specific rentngj of Australian films, which varies from 4 per cent (Exhibitor's quota) IN THi rlRST YEAR of the operation of the quota to 15 per cent. (Distributor's quota) in the FIFTH YEAR.

During the last two jcars only about 2 per cent, to 3 per cent, of the pictures exhibited in Australln have been locally produced, and It is essential that Australian picture production should make an enormous step forward. _ .

THE FILMS QUOTA ACT SWEEPS AWAY ALL DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED In the past by Australian producers, such as inability to obtain satisfactory releases on account of "block" and "blind" booking, AND CREATES A COMPULSORY MARKET for local productions, to an extent not even contemplated in the past.

MASTERCRAFT FILM CORPORATION LTD.,

the abridged prospectus of which Is produced below, presents an excellent opportunity

for Investing In a company to be operated on sound lines.

The prospectus has been reviewed In the financial columns of various publications, from which the following extracts are taken:

"Sydney Bulletin": The prospectus Is a carefully compiled affair on which the directors are to be complimented . . . apparently a genuine effort to develop an

Independent Australian film Industry.

Smith's Weekly": It carries a brand of genuineness. . . . The prospects of the Tenture appear to be bright.

"Everyoncs": On sound, sane lines, making no promises that cannot In the ordin-

ary course of events, be fulfilled.

ABRIDGED PROSPECTUS

Incorporated under the N.S.W. Companies Acts on 24th October 1934.

CAPITAL £50,000 divided Into 100.O0O SHARES of 10/ EACH.

30.000 PREFERENCE SHARES of 10/ each, carrying n cumulative preferential £10,000

dividend at the rate of 8 per cent, and participating in profits pari passu with the ordinary snares after payment on the ordinary shares of a dividend of 15 per cent., and

74.500 ORDINARY SHARDS of 10/ each . 37,350

ARE OFFERED FOR PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION.

8.500 ORDINARY SHARES of 10/ each will be Issued to the promoter, as set 3,750

out hercunder.

100.000 £80,000

JOHN AYLWIN SEVES BRUCE,

Latlmer-road, Rose Bay,

Managing Dliector, Commonwealth Film

Laboratories, Ltd.

ARTHUR WILLIAM TITTERTON,

Suttlo-rond. Bellevue Hill. '

Manufacturer.

DIRECTORS:

ALFRED JAMES BESZANT,

228 Pltt.strect. Sydney,

Managing Director. Western Suburbs

Cinemas. Ltd.

JAMES KENNETH MANNING, 107 Elizabeth-street, Sydney,

Solicitor. RAYMOND HOLLIS LONGFORD,

Milncr-crescent, Wollstonecraft,

Motion Picture Director.

6ECRETARY: CLIFFORD MCKENZIE CLARK. F.F.P.A.. Manufacturers House. O'connell

street. Sydney.

BANKERS: Bank of New South Wales. King and George street?, Sydney.

AUDITOR: CHARLES A. LAW. Chartered Accountant (Aust.). 133 Pitt-street. Sydney, SOLICITOR; L. HAY SIMPSON. St. James Building, 107-109 Elizabeth-street, Sydney. REGISTERED OFriCE: Stanton House, 133 Pitt-street. Sydney

Arrangements with RaycophonC; Ltd.j pro OBJECTS.

The objects of the company are to produce, within the Commonwealth of Australia and elsewhere, cinematograph films with sound (talking ' pictures), and for* that purpose to establish n sound Motion Picture studio.

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTIONS.

The company has secured the services of Mr, Raymond Longford as Director of Productions. Mr, Longford has been aptly described as "the veteran of Australian picture producers," and Is very well known throughout Australia as the only Australian Producer to achieve Interna-

tional fame.

In the days of the silent pictures he pro-duced "The Sentimental Bloke," which the whole world acclaimed as a masterpiece; "Ginger Mick," "The Silence of Dean Mait-land. "On Our Selection." and a host of other SIctures. With the advent of the "talkies"

e went abroad to study this new branch of the Industry, and since his return has been associated with Mr. F. W. Thring, Pat Hanna Îroductions. and Mr. Beaumont Smith, of

. O. Williamson Picture Coipn,. Ltd.. in the production of several talking picture«.

STUDIO SITE.

The Directors consider It essential that If i the Company Is to achieve the maximum of

efficiency it should establish Its own studio. After exhaustive Inquiry the property known m "The Avcnui Picnic Grounds" was selec-ted, and the Company has contracted to pur-chase this site for £9250, and n deposit of £350 has been paid. The property Is situate on the Lane Cove River, and contains l61

acres. The beautiful situation, the purity of the atmosphere, and the absolute freedom from noise make It absolutely ideal for picture pro-

duction.

The Directors consider the price reasonable, and their view is borne out by the fact that the Valuer-General's valuation Is for £10.500 The vendors will allow £5000 to remain on mortgage with Interest at the satisfactory rate of 5} per cent.

STUDIO BUILDINGS AND EQUIP-

MENT.

The large pavilion erected on the property Is ideal for adaptation as a Studio, and, after making provision for dressing-rooms, offices, etc.. It will allow of the erection of a sound stage measuring 140ft by 40ft.

A stage of such large dimensions greatly faci-litates speedy production. Satisfactory esti-mates have been obtained for the building alterations and supply of necessary piont.

It is Intended to use the all-Australian "Raycophone" sound-recording equipment.

EXPENDITURE.

The estimated capital cost of acquiring and equipping the studio and enabling the company to commence operations is £15.000, made up ns follows:

Land (less mortgage) . £4,250 Reconstruction of buildings .... 3,600 Electrical equipment, etc. 1.125 Lamps and fittings . 750

Cameras. 2400 Sound equipment (rental) .... 625 Preliminary expenses . 500 Cash to promoter . 250

Brokerage . 1.500

£15,000

AïlHllKClIIClllB Wini ^ujuu|iiiuiit. «-vu,, ,.

Vide for the hiring of sound plant for

months, with an option to purohase at tho end of that period. PROVISION has. there-fore, been made for six months' rental In these

estimates.

The balance of wallabie capital svill pro-vide sufficient to discharge the mortgage (£50001. purchase the sound plant (£4600), and leave approximately £20,000 for picture production. Four productions a year at an estimated average cost of £5000 each are contemplated.

REVENUE.

It Is Impossible to estimate the earning capacity of any picture. According to evi-dence given o' the recent Film Inquiry. "On Our Selection" earned £46.000 In Australasia, and It was estimated thot "The Hoyseeds" (pioduced by Mr. Raymond Longford I would earn at least £20.000. This latter picture cost less than £6000 to produce.

All the above figures relote to the period prior to the Introduction of a film quota, and the present posslblltles are boundless. A most conservative estimate for the net earnings of a good-closs feature film Is £10.000, and If the Company can carry out its Intention of pro-ducing four feature pictures a year at a cost of £5000 each, an annual Income of £20,000 would seem to be assured.

PROMOTER AND CONTRACTS.

The promoter, Mr. Raymond Longford, Is to receive £250 In cash and ordinary shares to the value of £2750 For this he will supply the Company with two scenarios (to be selected by the Directors from four to be submitted), and give the Company the benefit of his re-search in relation to production. The only existing contracts ore one with the Promoter, dated 31st October, 1934, in relation to the matters mentioned above, a service contract of the carne date with Mr. Longford for five years at a very reasonable salary, and the contract for the purchase of the Property from Harbour. Land and Transport. Limited, dated 5th March. 1935.

BROKERAGE.

Brokerage at a rate not exceeding 10 per cent, will be paid on applications for shares lodged by authorised brokers.

ALLOTMENT.

THE COMPANY WILL NOT PROCEED TO ALLOTMENT TILL 30,000 SHARES HAVE SUBSCRIBED FOR OR FIRMLY UNDERWRIT-TEN. IF THE COMPANY DOES NOT PRO-CEED TO ALLOTMENT. APPLICATION MONEY WILL BE REFUNDED IN FULL.

GENERAL.

COPIES OF THE COMPANY'S PROSPECTUS and forms of APPLICATION FOR SHARES may be had from and Inquiries may be made of the Secretory, at the Registered Office of the Company. 8th FLOOR. STANTON HOUSE. 133 PITT-STREET. SYDNEY. TELEPHONES: B1755 AND B1737.

HOTEL SYDNEY.

NEWLY RENOVATED AND REFURNISHED.

LUXURY AT LOW CObl.

Single Bedrooms from 7/. Every Modern Convenience.

SPECIAL FEATURE: ROTISSERIE BARBECUE AND CHARCOAL SILVER ORM,,

t > t ! ' i W. O. BULFIN, Manager.

ROYAL SHOW.

"SYDNEY MORNING HERALD,"

"SYDNEY MAIL,"

"THE HOME,"

"ART IN AUSTRALIA."

For the convenience of the public the "Herald," "Ma.il," "The Home," and "Art in Australia" office (Suttor Pavilion) will be open during the Royal Show, and facilities provided for the transaction of

butines«.

We extend to country visitor» especially an invitation to uie our office.

JOHN FAIRFAX & SONS, LTD.

CIRCULATION OF THE

"HERALD."

AUDITORS' CERTIFICATE. KENT, BRIERLEY, & SULLY,

Chartered Accountants (Auat.),

Queensland National Bank Chamber«, Pitt and Hunter Street!,

Sydney, April 11, 1935. John Fairfax & Sons, Ltd.,

Hunter-street, Sydney. Dear Sin,

We hare examined the circulation figures of the "Sydney Morning Herald" for the fire weeks ended March 30, 193S, and hereby certify that the average net daily «ales, after deducting return« and all free, voucher, and exchange copie«, were

as follow«:

For the week ended:

March 2 . 216,318 March 9 . 216,650 March 16 . 216,257 March 23 . 216,379 March 30 . 216,186 (Sgd.) KENT, BRIERLEY, & SULLY,

Chartered Accountant« (Ault.).

EASTER HOLIDAYS.

"SYDNEY MORNING HERALD,"

"SYDNEY MAIL,"

"THE HOME,"

"ART IN AUSTRALIA."

Visitor» to the country during the Easter Holiday« are advised to book their order« for the "Herald," the "Sydney Mail," and "The Home," with the local

newsagent. j

The evening edition of the "Herald" contains the latest «porting and general news each day, and i» obtainable in country district».

BUSINESS ARRANGEMENTS.

The "Herald" office will be open for

butine» on:

Good Friday ...... 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Easter Saturday .... 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Easter Sunday .... 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Easter Monday .... 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

JOHN FAIRFAX & SONS, LTD.

SPECIAL FILING EDITION.

A limited edition of the "Sydney Morning Herald" on rag-made paper i» publUhed daily.

This edition ¡> intended especially for libraries, both public and institutional, that with to have file« on paper of permanence.

Copie« of the edition are available to the general public.

Order* for the filing edition ahould reach u« a« early a« pooible. Rate« will be supplied on application.

JOHN FAIRFAX & SONS, LTD.