British Films 1927 - 1939 Was Originally Produced in 1986 by BFI Library Services
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Forword.............................................................................................................................................1 Part 1: Chronology ..........................................................................................................................2 Part 2: Annual “In Production” Charts ......................................................................................47 Alphabetical Title Index ...............................................................................................................96 Part 3: Statistics...........................................................................................................................110 Films Released in the UK................................................................................................111 The Distribution of British Films...................................................................................118 British Cinema Statistics ................................................................................................120 British Studios..................................................................................................................129 British Feature Production..............................................................................................133 British Film Companies and Investment .....................................................................138 Films Certified by the British Board of Film Censors..................................................143 USA ....................................................................................................................................145 France ................................................................................................................................150 Germany............................................................................................................................151 World Cinema Statistics .................................................................................................152 The Bernstein Questionnaires .......................................................................................155 The Korda Questionnaires..............................................................................................161 Appendices Bibliography......................................................................................................................162 Journals .............................................................................................................................163 Availability Of British Films Produced Between 1927 And 1939* ..............................164 Thirties Features In 16mm/Video Distribution* ..........................................................165 General Research Guidelines* ........................................................................................167 Abbreviations ...................................................................................................................168 * Some of the information contained within these sections was correct at the time of original publication of this document in 1986. The information has been retained as it was originally written for historical interest. Where possible, links to relevant BFI activities in 2009 have been provided. British Films 1927 - 1939 was originally produced in 1986 by BFI Library Services. Original document by: Linda Wood Retype and design (2009): Ian O’Sullivan Cover Design: Ian O’Sullivan © BFI National Library 2009 21 Stephen Street London W1T 1LN British Films 1927 - 1939 FOREWORD contemporary value judgements; if something is not dealt with by trade publications or the national No attempt has been made in this booklet to cover press at the time, it is dificult for researchers to either the early days of television or the pick it up at a later stage. Within inevitable documentary film movement; any such coverage limitations. I have tried to provide a sufficiently would have been unacceptably cursory given both wide range of strictly factual information to enable these areas warrant an entire dossier of their own. those looking at this period to reach their own The perimeters of this dossier have been confined interpretation of what took place. to the commercial film industry, incorporating its three separate branches, production, exhibition A major objective of this booklet is to make it and distribution. possible for a wider number of individuals to embark on topics covering British film history and The booklet covers the years 1927 to 1939. culture and to the widen the scope of anyone Although restricting the period to 1930-1939 would undertaking such work. Consequently, I have tried have meant a neater time span - a decade rather to make available material which is not at present than the 13 years encompassed here - history, to be found in other publications, at least not in the even film history, cannot be broken down into such form provided here, and which currently is only convenient blocks. Starting in 1930 would have accessible to those able to visit centrally based meant excluding most of the important specialist libraries. It is hoped that this booklet will developments tied to the introduction of sound save future researchers from duplicating films; more significantly, it would have meant groundwork already dug over several times. The leaving out the Cinematograph Films Act of 1927 dossier should certainly be of interest to those (CFA). Yet this Act was crucial in terms of the undertaking specific and large scale research development of a film industry in Britain. Before it projects for whom it will be a starting point upon reached the Statute Book, it is possible to argue which they can build. But it should also be helpful that Britain did not possess a film industry as such; to those who wish use some aspect of British films were made, but in a spasmodic and cinema in the Thirties as a context for the more haphazard fashion. The CFA was a response to particular areas of film debate - the notion of star, pressure put on the Government by a combination use of genre, the relationship between media and of disparate groups with a common desire to see society, etc. as often those teaching film studies do the establishment of a indigenous industry in not have the necessary time to collate this kind of Britain. Much of what happened in the succeeding background material for themselves. years can be viewed as a response to the working framework laid down in the Act. The introduction Whereas Sections 1, 2, and 3 carry out the task of of the quota made certain the production of films providing factual information, the Appendices on a large scale and called for large scale indicate useful sources of supplementary material. investment. The Thirties saw the building up of a As the dossier is largely aimed at those who are home production base alongside the development interested in pursuing some aspect of British of two British vertically integrated combines, the cinema but do not have access to central research working out of a balancing act between the British facilities, the Appendices examine what resources and American majors, a laying down of the should be available locally: hence, the bibliography limitations of the role independents could play in is not exhaustive but is made up of references production, distribution and exhibition. Missing which should be obtainable through local libraries out the years 1927 to 1929 would have meant and the inter-library loan system; the guide to ignoring both the foundation stone and the research concentrates on locally based projects; important initial steps in developments which there is a listing of British features available for hire were to reach some kind of conclusion - albeit a or purchase on 16mm/vldeo. temporary one - by the late Thirties and it is difficult to understand the events of the later years without being able to refer back to the earlier ones. Linda Wood The dossier takes the form of a catalogue and factbook. It is not a critical or discursive work and an effort has been made not to incorporate or provoke any specific analysis. Of course, any attempt to give an objective and impartial picture has to operate within limitations; the material included is of necessity the consequence of a selection and selection has been influenced not only by the selector's value judgements but also by BFI Information Services 1 Part 1: Chronology A Brief Survey of the Thirties weather the storm and went bankrupt. Yet despite the severe restraints under which British In 1927 film distribution in Britain was dominated filmmakers had to operate, by 1932 there had by the UK branches of the American majors. occurred a tremendous improvement in the Cinemas were largely independently owned with standard of films coming out of British studios. many groups of 3-4 cinemas organised around a Although lacking the resources and polish of the given locality. Film production had more or less best Hollywood films, some impressively well- died out and the country was unprepared for the made British films were being turned out. Around demands of large scale production which followed this time there was a shortage of American films; the introduction of quota legislation. 1928 to 1931 the Wall Street Crash had hit badly nearly all the were years of intense activity with the building, American