841.4061 Motion Pictures/70
Memorandum by the Assistant Chief of the Division of European Affairs (Culbertson)
I telephoned the British Embassy this morning to let the Embassy know that the motion picture industry has expressed to us considerable concern with regard to recent developments in London concerning motion picture legislation now under consideration in the British Parliament. I pointed out that the industry’s principal concern at the moment is in connection with two amendments, the one which would do away with multiple quota credit for high cost films, and the other amendment is the one designed to establish a review commission which would have the power to decide that a particular film had no entertainment value and would not therefore be acceptable.
Chalkley stated that his Government and his Embassy were fully informed with regard to the whole situation, and that the views of the American industry had been fully presented to the British Government, and he therefore felt that there was no further action which could be taken. I explained that we had this recent protest from the American industry and that we were of course acting on their representations. Chalkley replied by saying that of course we could not [Page 89] take statements of the industry; that they had been given fair treatment and that they could expect to receive fair treatment. I answered by saying that we realized that an opportunity had been given for the American interests to present their views, but the question was whether action would be taken with regard to those views, and I also pointed out that any action at this time by the British Government adding severe and new restriction to an industry as important as the American motion picture industry would be very unfortunate. Chalkley, however, concluded by saying that he felt that there was nothing more that could be done about it.