Cheaper Movies For The
p. 62 · Read in the full issue
Islands
rE Australian headquarters of movie making Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer have recently announced that they will shortly have for distribution, 16millimetre sound film of current attrac tions and such old favourites as “Mrs.
Minerva”, “Valley of Decision”, “Mutiny on the Bounty”, etc.
The successful development of the sound track on 16-mm. film is a new thing—or it is at least as recent as the last of the war years. Previously, sound on this small film was not a success. The manufacturers claim that their new tech nique makes 16-mm. sound film indis tinguishable from regular 35-mm. film.
Advantages of the smaller film are that it is non-inflammable and can therefore be shown under circumstances where a fireproof projection booth is not available.
It is cheap to freight as it weighs only one-fifth of normal film. Projection equipment is small and compact and can be carried in a small case; it is easy to handle and simple to operate—MGM will actually train projectionists free of charge. In comparison with regular projection equipment it is inexpensive— Australian manufacturers are now turn ing reliable machines off their assembly lines for about £220.
This is, of course, not “home-movies”, but it has great possibilities for small isolated communities where a regular movie show would be out of the question.
MGM have made a large number of sales to young servicemen who are setting themselves up in the movie business in small outback towns In Australia on their deferred pay. The same thing has possi bilities for small Islands communities— the projection range permits of audiences of up to 600.
When they commence to distribute these films, MGM will supply one pro gramme per week, comprising one or two feature films, with supporting shorts, with a total screen time of about hours. The 16-mm. films are made direct from the original 35-mm. film—it is the same picture which will be seen in the world’s best movie palaces, only reduced in size.
If there is any merit in the new de velopment it should at least save Islands movie-patrons from their former fate— that of witnessing films that have left Hollywood at least five years previously.