Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), Friday 18 October 1929, page 10


WRONG THEMES

Australian Films Abroad

What happens to Australian films abroad? ? Few of them receive the honor cf a showing in large English or American theatres, and the proceeds of those that do are generally swamped up in distribution expenses. The .explanation of, this, American experts claim, is that Australian producers choose wrong themes with little international out

iUUK. ''Horseraces, bushrangers, unpleasantlooking aborigines, and depressing views of Australian life are the subjects of most films that have been produced in Australia, while waterfront stories an^ the wool race to England receive no attention. Yet these are themes that English and American scenarists would interpret as screen classics,' because of their international appeal. 'For the Term of His Natural Life,' the Australian 'Ben Hur' on which £50,000 was spent, was a flop in England and America, and another cos'tiy production, 'The Adorable Outcast' fared little better. Renamed 'Black Cargo of, the South Sea,' and with sound synchronisation added, it was screened in small town American theatres, but distribution costs absorbed the little money that it made. In England it is compulsory to show a certain percentage of Empire made films, arid in consequence a lew Australian efforts have landed in Britain. Among these are 'Odds On,' 'Tall Timbers,' .'Trooper O'Brien,' and 'The Romance,- of Runnymede,' which have been bought by an American firm for release in England. The only pictures shown on Broodway were those of Snowy Baker. In Australia bushmen laughed at his characterisation of them, but it is color that theatre patrons -want, not accuracy-r-one of the reasons' for the success of American cowboy, films. - -