Year book of motion pictures (1925)

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11. What attracts you to a motion picture show? (Kinetha Questionnaire) Pictures 35.7% Stars 21.2% Entertainment 18.7% Advertisement . . . 8.6% Music 5.3% Education 2.4% Quietness 2.9% Beauty 1.9% Prestige 1.0% Ushers, Scenery Costume, Mood, Real Life Drama 5%each This question brings out just about the same ideas in regard to the relationship of the picture versus "the star as Questions Nos. 5 and 6. 12. Do you prefer two features on the bill? Yes 65.0% No 35.0% 13. Do you prefer one feature with additional interesting short subjects. (Kinema Questionnaire) Yes 65.0% No 35.0% 14. Do you like singers or special attractions as part of the show? ( Kinema Questionnaire) Yes 75.5% No 24.5% 15. Do you object to merchant's advertising on screen? Kinema Questionnaire results: , Yes 52.5% No 47.5% General Questionnaire results : Yes 54.8% No 45.2% Average results : Yes 53.4% No 46.6% This question being covered by both questionnaires gives very accurate check upon the public's opinion in regard to screen advertising. It was noted that when people did object, they were very strong in their denunciation. 16. How often do you go to the show? (Kinema Questionnaire) 2 times per week 52.2% 1 time per week 22.2% 3 times per week 14.7% 4 times per week 2.2% 7 times per week 9% 1 time per month 9% 2 times per month 2.6% 3 times per month 9% Indefinite as to number of times per week or month 3.5%. (General Questionnaire) 1 time per week 25.8% Over 2 times per week 14.6% 2 times per week 5.2% Frequently 1.6% 1 time per month 12.7% 2 times per month 18.7% Occasionally 16.3% Only special attractions 5.5% This question shows the comparative attendance of the public as a whole and the average patron of the Kinema. 17. Do you know that the producer determines the admission price of the pictures, and not the local theaters? (Kinema Questionnaire) Yes 32.0% No 68.0% (General Questionnaire) Yes 15.5% No 84.5% TJiis clearly shows the necessity of education along this line so as to build good will for local theaters. 18. Do you like to see big pictures (special productions) if a raise in price is necessary? (Kinema Questionnaire) Yes 76.3% No 23.7% This question sheds light upon the problem of price raises for Kinema patrons. 19. Which do you like best, motion pictures, vaudeville or road shows? (General Questionnaire) Motion Pictures 73.5% Vaudeville 2.0% Road Shows 24.5% This shows the remarkable popularity the motion picture has gained in its short life time. Observations made by Investigators A. In some instances a storm of disapproval of motion pictures was received by the investigators. This criticism was confined entirely to older people and based upon religious beliefs that motion pictures were destroying the moral fibre of the younger generation. B. There seemed to be more willingness on the part of the public to give information about the theatrical business than ordinarily is experienced in other survey work. C. The impression was gained by the investigators that women as a whole are more intimately acquainted with the personnel of the motion picture business than men. Results from Across Tracks Questionnaire This investigation was made separately amongst the German and Russian classes. Thirty questionnaires were very carefully filled out under the supervision of a competent German and Russian interpreter. Probably the most outstanding fact obtained from this section is that the Liberty Theater draws heavily on this section for its patrons. 1. How often do you attend the theater? 1 time per week 50.0% 2 times per week 30.0% Over 2 times per week 10.0% 1 time per month 6.7% 2 times per month 3.3% 2. On what days of the week do you attend? Sunday 52.5% Monday 5.0% Tuesday 2.5% Wednesday 12.5% Thursday 2.5% Friday 5.0% Saturday 10.0% No preference 10.0% 3. Which do you. like best? Motion pictures 58.4% Vaudeville 29.0% Road shows 12.6% 4. Do you object to merchants' screen advertising? Yes 43.0% No 57.0% 5. Do you know the producer determines the price of the pictures and not the local theaters? Yes 16.6% No 83.4% 6. Do you discuss motion pictures with your friends? Yes 100% This question conclusively shows that, regardless of race or nationality, information about motion pictures is almost perfect news. 7. Which do you prefer? Melodrama 18.4% Comedy 42.1% Historical 37.0% Costume 2.5% 8. Do you like scenics? Yes 90.0% No 10.0% Commenting on the survey, Q. E. D., in The Evening Sun, Baltimore, said : Why doesn't some Baltimore picture house circulate such a questionnaire We'll think up the questions if they will print the questionnaires, circulate them, tabulate the results, etc. We always were one for taking the heaviest work on our own shoulders. EXHIBITORS SELECTIONS OF 10 BEST PICTURES Following the survey made by Frank W. Purkett, the Motion Picture News conducted a survey among exhibitors as to the type of picture which proved the best box-office attraction with them. Some of the exhibitors' reports follow : 61