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12 NATHAN D. GOLDEN [j. s. M. P. K.
12,000,000 people, only 19 have a seating capacity of over 3000; 23 seat from 2500 to 3000; only 84 have from 2000 to 2500 seats; 267 have a seating capacity from 1500 to 2000, and 1250 from 1000 to 1500 seats each. There are more than 18,000 theaters with less than 500 seats each. A good proportion of these barely qualify as motion picture theaters. The average cinema capacity in Europe is less than 480.
Let us now discuss briefly sound film conditions in the more important European markets, beginning with Germany where the more technical aspects of sound film production have received more attention than in the others.
GERMAN SOUND FILM PRODUCTION
The first German sound film appeared in Germany seven years ago as an experiment. Three years ago, the Tri-Ergon system was much spoken of, but owing to lack of German capital its company was compelled to exploit the patents in Switzerland.
Only in 1928, spurred by the increasing success of American sound film activities, did Germany turn to furthering, organizing, and financing its domestic sound film industry. The Tonbild-Syndikat A. G. (Tobis) was then established.
The Tonbild-Syndikat was later joined by a number of smaller companies holding various sound patents; then the leading German electric concerns, A. E. G. and Siemens-Halske, which had worked out a number of useful processes and had even produced some experimental pictures, entered into action. Together with Polyphon-Werke A. G., they founded the Klangfilm G. m. b. H. After several months of competition and patent war, Tobis and Klangfilm joined their interests, Klangfilm dealing with the production and sale of reproduction apparatus under the patent of A. E. G. and Siemens, and Tobis producing recording apparatus under its own patents, of which it possesses about 500, and awarding licenses for the production of sound pictures. It has already signed a contract to this effect with Ufa, and is preparing to exploit the same licenses in other German speaking countries.
Agreement between Klangfilm and Ufa. — The German sound film production was actually started April 8, 1929, when an important contract was signed between Klangfilm and Ufa. Under this contract Klangfilm-Tobis is to furnish recording equipment for four large sound studios, which are being built by Ufa in Neubabelsberg, Berlin.