861.4061 Motion Pictures/8–2544: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:45 p.m.]
3151. For the Department’s information only. I am considerably disturbed by evidences in recent months of the apparent reversion in the Soviet film industry to the earlier policy of isolationism. During the first part of this year, there seemed to be an increased disposition on the part of the industry to take a larger number of American films and to adopt a policy of closer cooperation with the American industry.
The Embassy has now received reports that on instructions from the Soviet political authorities, a decreased number of American films is to be purchased and that only those are to be acquired which show American life and society in an unflattering light. It is furthermore reported that dubbing and subtitling in Russian are to be done in such a way as to create an impression that an inferior product is being shown with a consequent implication that the Russian industry has little or nothing to learn from abroad. Certain recent examples are either deliberate bungling or gross incompetence. This shift coincides with a drastic reorganization of undetermined origins which the industry is now undergoing and which has resulted in almost complete cessation of Soviet production. It has not been possible to find out more precisely just what has been going on.
At the time the invasion of France took place, the Film Committee begged that newsreels of the event be sent as rapidly as possible. When the material arrived at the end of June, it was first shown by the Embassy and was then turned over to the Kremlin for Stalin to see. He sent it then to the Film Committee with instructions to release it publicly. It has, however, not yet been released. I have had indications that it will not be released and that no material will be shown publicly which shows the scope and magnitude of Allied operations in the West.
I do not believe that this apparent reversion in policy in any sense represents the views of the technicians and professional people in the industry whom I believe have a sincere respect and admiration for American films. Rather it appears to be a political decision based on the old fear of showing the Soviet people anything from which they could conclude that a system or way of life superior in any respect to the Soviet Union exists anywhere in the world.