HC Deb 30 March 1950 vol 473 cc549-50
29. Mr. Wyatt

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statement to make on the showing of the film "Chance of a Life-time" after its viewing by a Board of Trade Tribunal.

Mr. H. Wilson

An application in respect of this film was made to the Film Selection Committee appointed under Section 5 (2) of the Cinematograph Films Act, 1948. After viewing the film, the Committee recommended that it was suitable by reason of its entertainment value for exhibition as a first feature film by one of the three major circuits. We have accepted the Committee's recommendation and the necessary direction under the Act will very shortly be issued to the owners of the Odeon circuit, which has been chosen by lot to exhibit the film.

Mr. Wyatt

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Rank organisation is doing everything it can to evade the spirit of the Act by proclaiming to the public that it believes that this film will make a loss, and that it proposes to publish this loss and demand that the Board of Trade should do something to compensate for it?

Mr. Wilson

I am aware of a statement attributed to Mr. Rank in a Sunday newspaper on this subject. I have told the Rank organisation that criticism of this kind about this film is hardly likely to induce the public to go to see it. I hope that the same efforts will be made in advertising and popularising this film as would apply to any films produced by the Rank organisation itself, in order that the purpose of the Act may not be frustrated.

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