SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Wednesday. 21st May, 1941.

FILM MAGAZINE.

PROPOSAL.

A monthly cinemagazine of about 600 feet for distribution abroad, mainly in the U.S.A, Latin America and the Empire.

OBJECTS .

(a) Primary .

To provide a regular flow of film propaganda, not of a topical news character, which will form a background for other film subjects distributed from time to time by M.O.I.

(b) Secondary .

To provide a channel in overseas publicity for certain M.O.I. films, such as those in the five-minute series, which might be found suitable subjects for foreign showing but would not otherwise secure foreign distribution.

GENERAL PLAN .

Distribution .

(a) Empire . Australia and New Zealand have reported that a cinemagazine would reach a high percentage of cinema audiences and it is understood that it would also be favourably received in Canada. A report from South Africa indicates less enthusiasm, but has reference to a weekly cinemagazine which is not at present contemplated. No enquiries were made in the Colonies, but it is the Regional Officer's opinion that a cinemagazine would be welcomed in the Colonial Empire and that there would be no difficulty about distribution.

(b) Foreign . Commander Jarrett made enquiries while in the U.S.A. and reported that Warner's had agreed to distribute a cinemagazine at least in their own chain of theatres (about 500) in the U.S.A. and possibly in others there, as well as to include it in the programmes of films they normally send to South America.

No enquiries have been made abroad in respect of other foreign countries but in the opinion of the Regional Officer concerned some difficulty in distribution is likely to be met in securing screen time in certain Middle and Far East countries. It is considered that the chances 88 - 2 -of distribution in North and South America and in most of the Empire would, however, alone justify the proposal.

Production .

It is proposed that production should be placed in the hands of a commercial studio, such as Ealing, which would issue the magazine under its own name. The Ministry would control production by appointing key staff, consisting of:

(i) a magazine editor; and

(ii) a film editor and cutter

whose salaries would be paid directly by the Ministry.

Cost.

It is estimated that the cost of the magazine would be approximately £12,000 per annum, including the studio's services, the salaries of key staff and the cost of prints and transport. Dubbing would be extra and cannot be estimated till it is known how many foreign countries will take the magazine.

It is admittedly not a commercial project and no net cash receipts should be expected.

RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER ACTIVITIES .

(a) Newsreel Reactions .

The possibility of giving the production to the newsreel companies to do has been considered and rejected on the ground that they are not equipped to do this job satisfactorily. Their efforts at the same sort of thing in the past have not met with much success. If the intention to keep the cinemagazine free of topical news is adhered to they should have no reasonable complaint.

(b) British Council Reactions .

Films Division consider that the British Council could only have cause for complaint in the most unlikely event of the cinemagazine crowding out “British News” in Colonial Empire cinemas. Colonial audiences will, however, obviously still insist on having news.