Year book of motion pictures (1926)

The Financial Progress o By Richard Saunders, Comptroller, formerly Cashier, National The end of 1925 finds the industry in far better financial condition than ever before. In fact, it might be viewed as the year in which the motion picture industry became definitely recognized as stabilized and the stocks of the leaders regarded as safe investmerts. The plentiful supply of money has helped, for as capital looked about for suitable investments, the industry was able to show an attractive return. In consequence, more of the companies have gone into the market and through financial institutions of standing have invited the public to join in stock ownership with them. This meant that good financial statements must first have been shown, and adequate results foreseen. Company figures previously unpublished or only partially known became public and there are now for the first time, accurate and authentic statements available to seive as a guide for the industry as a whole and as a basis for comparisons between the various leaders. The enormous increase in the foreign business has been especially marked in 1925. Over the entire world, following the pictures, there is a growing demand for the American products that unconsciously display themselves in the pictures. The "star" pictures are still in the ascendent and the number of stars with great reputations being limited, this lias resulted in the development of more expensive and elaborate pictures, the small "program" pictures being almost discontinued by the larger companies. In turn, this has led to another far-reaching change which became marked in 1925 and will grow even more powerful in 1926. To show the more expensive picture in proper form, with fitting prologue, adequate music and impressive surroundings, the small theater became passe in seating capacity, stage room and general appearance. Veritable palaces of marble and bronze f the M. P. Industry in 1925 Famous Players-Lasky Corporation and Bank of Commerce in New York are being built, both here and abroad. Expert showmen are developing tabloid reviews and choice spectacles 1 Short subjects of classic beauty are becoming obtainable; architectural designs eliminating posts and providing choice loges and clear vision for all seats are reaching perfection ; mechanical devices that automatically reveal vacant seats; cooling plants that make the theater an oasis in the hottest climate or on the warmest summer day ; all these mean the investment of immense sums in theater construction. Corporations of considerable size seem the only means of carrying out such enterprises on so elaborate a scale. The process of consolidation in all the branches of the industry has continued in 1925 and is along the right economical lines. Losses can better be absorbed and economies instituted than with smaller concerns. Harmony between producer and exhibitor is gradually approaching the high standard reached in other industries. The extent to which the producer can protect his business by controlling a measurable proportion of his outlet is still in the process of adjudication. The Motion Picture Industry can look back to 1925 as one of the most prosperous years in its history and can feel that the financial strength developed in that year has placed it in an almost invulnerable position. There is hardly a bank in the country today that does not welcome a motion picture accotuit and that is not willing to extend whatever credit the statement warrants. The public is supporting its pictures and buying its securities. The quality of the pictures is better than ever before. Elements that make for unsound methods and unsafe investments are gradually being eliminated and it is not difficult to fortell the day when, with its few remaining prob'ems solved, the Motion Picture Industry will attain ever greater heights than it has reached tday. International Film Law, How It Protects the Author By DR. WENZEL GOLDBAUM, (Courtesy "The More than any other product of intellect, the motion picture has the tendency to spread into countries other than the country of its origin. Its very nature enables it to go beyond the limitations of nationality, since the spoken element is pushed to the rear by the optical effect. In the country of origin the picture is legally protected by the laws of the country in which it is shown for the first time. The protection by the laws of this country ends at its borders. Beyond these borders the picture would be a prey to piracy, if its protection was not extended by international agreement, namely, the agreement of Berne, Switzerland; the agreement of Montevideo of January P., 1889; the agreement of Washington of December 20, 1907 (Central American Union) ; the agreement of Caracas (Bolivian Union) ; the three Pan-American agreements, i. e., the agreement of Mexico of January 27, 1902; the agreement of Rio de Janeiro of August 23, 1906; and the agreement of Buenos Aires of August 11, 1910. Besides these extended international agreements, there are numerous agreements between single nations, as, for instance, between Belgium and Mexico of June 7, 1895; Belgium and the Netherlands of August 30, 1858; Belgium and Spain of October 11, 1866; Belgium and Roumania of April 10. 1910; Belgium and Spain of June 26, 1880; of Bolivia and France of Sentember 8, 1887; of Brazil and Portugal of September 9, 1889; Bulgaria and France of January 13, 1906; Chile and the United States. China and Japan of October 8, 1903 ; China and the United States of the same date; Columbia and Italy of October 27, 1892; Columbia and Switzerland of March 14, 1908; Columbia and Spain of November 28, 1885; Costa Rica and France of August 28, 1896; Costa' Rica and the United States of Aug Berlin Attorney-at-Law and Notary Public. Film Renter," London) ust 26, 1899 ; Cuba and Italy of December 29. 1903; Cuba and the United States, Denmark and France of November 6, 1858, and May 5, 1866; Denmark and Austria of July 12, 1907 ; Denmark and Sweden-Norway of September 27, 1879; Denmark and the United States of February 22, 1913; Germany and Austria of December 30, 1899 (amended by the agreement of May 17, 1901), including Hungary; Germany and the United States of May 18, 1922, and May 25, 1922; the Republic of Dominica and Mexico o. March 29, 1890; Ecuador and France of May 9, 1898 (additional agreement of July 1, 1905); Ecuador and Mexico of July 10, 1888; Ecuador and Spain of June 30, 1900; France and Greece of April 22, 1912; France a.id Guatemala of April April 22, 1912; France and Guatemala of Aug ust 21, 1895; France and Italy of July 9, 1884; France and Japan of September 14. 1909; France and Mexico of November 27, 1886; France and Monaco of November 9, 1865; France and Montenegro of November 24, 1902 (now Jugo Slavia) ; France and the Netherlands of March 25, 1855, April 27, 1860, April 19, 1884; France and Portugal of July 11, 1886; France and Roumania of March 6, 1907; France and Salvador of June 9, 1880; France and Sweden and Norway of De cember 30, 1881 (February 15, 1884); France and Servia (now Jugo-Slavia) of January 5, 1907; France and Spain of June 16. 1880; France and the United States, Great Britain and Austria Hungary, Australia of March 15. 1918; New Zealand, March 2, 1916; also the United States, Guatemala, and Spain of May 25, 1893; Italy and Mexico of April 16, 1890; Mexico and Montenegro (now Jugo-Slavia) of November 27, 1900; Italy and Nica agua of January 25, 1906; Italy and Portugal of May 12, 1906; Italy and Roumania of December 5, 1906; Italy and San Mar 17