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A taxing issue for the post-war film industry - cinema owners make their case in this silent plea
Overview
For a few dollars more… With the UK short of cash in the late 1940s, imports were carefully restricted - and that included the cinema. A 75% duty was imposed on imported films from August 1947, in a bid to protect dollar reserves and boost domestic production. Hollywood's response was a simple one - they stopped sending any films. Exactly which tax dispute this silent plea by cinema exhibitors was made for is unclear - but this was an issue that would run and run.
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