Year book of motion pictures (1925)

distributing interest can — and might easily — protect themselves against exhibiting difficulties by organizing and operating a chain of theaters of their own. It is also quite likely that when the first serious financial depression of nation-wide strength develops that these very chains with their huge size and tremendous cost of operation might easily be the first to weaken under such conditions and break up much more quickly than where an exhibitor owning one or, at best, a few houses, might breast the storm. The operation of large groups of theaters is a most expensive undertaking. No matter how well they are financed, and how well they are operated, and with what degree of success they develop, it is extremely doubtful as to whether or not such a surplus could be accumulated over a prosperous period to meet the demands when misfortune occurs or when business drops far away. This is one of the problems of a possible situation which might easily retard such growths and yet at this writing there is every indication that before 1925 comes to an end that very definite steps will have been made toward the assembling of a chain of theaters — one chain at least — the importance and domination of which, in a certain territory, can neither be underestimated nor discounted. FOREIGN SITUATION Whether due to the financial condition, the general business situation or what, the foreign market as a whole made little material strides during the past year and the outlook is far from inspiring as to what might be expected during 1925. Undeniably the greatest hope lies in German productions. Very few producers of importance and merit, and who by virtue of their past records are liable to present material which will have an international box office demand, seem to be in readiness to improve upon their output of 1924. In England productions of this type have narrowed down considerably, there being but several companies in a position to make such pictures. In France there is little to hope for, and in Italy there is not a great deal more. Other continental countries, except Germany, do not seem — at this writing — to be in a much better position, even Sweden promising less than heretofore. But in Germany production seems on a most interesting basis and it should not be surprising if Germany becomes the foremost foreign production center. If the German producer will relieve himself of a certain sense of morbid, heaw tendencies and produce the type of picture which seems to be in demand all over the world, he may go far. It might be well to present this thought to those producers who. living abroad, constantly comment on the manner in which American distributors refuse to accept their production for showing in the United States : The people of this country have certain ideas as to what they consider box-office entertainment. American producers and distributors have learned this to their cost. If foreign producers would study the American market, would investigate and learn the type of picture desired in this country and then oroceed to make them, perhaps they would not be as complaining as they have been and are. It is true that several productions of undeniable strength and value which apparently should have met with success in America have been rejected by distributors of importance, and while it is generally claimed that foreign pictures are sfiven no opportunity in America, it is interesting to note that a survey made late in December shows that during 1924 about 25 foreign-made pictures were in the hands of American distributors of consequence, and that many of these pictures failed to develop any great drawing power in this country. VIII