I don't know that I'd advance this as _the_ reason for US cinema's influence in Australia, but distribution is obviously a factor. The relationship between large cinema chains and large distributors here is pretty cosy; it can be very difficult for smaller distributors to get a hearing, or for independent cinemas to get the films that they want without committing themselves to ridiculously long seasons. I'm curious about the effect of the "discovery" of Australian directors/actors and their subsequent moves O.S. on the Australian industry--given that their O.S. productions (and I'm thinking in particular of PJ Hogan's "My Best Friend's Wedding" as a recent example) are sometimes promoted as quasi-Australian product. Helen Kay. ---- Screen-L is sponsored by the Telecommunication & Film Dept., the University of Alabama.