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20 NATHAN D. GOLDEN [j. s. M. P. B.
the silent picture, Italy has had little success but sound pictures should offer Italy an opportunity in this regard.
AUSTRIA
The prospects for sound films in Austria are not very promising, owing to the number of small theaters. There are but 19 theaters with a seating capacity over 750, and 53 with seating capacities between 500 and 750, which may lend themselves to sound installations. But it is estimated that even the five largest cinemas in Austria could not afford to pay more than $2000 to $4000 for complete sound equipment and installation.
No cinema in Austria has yet been wired for sound films, but it is planned to equip a small theater in Vienna at an early date. The Filmton Ges. claims that it has Austrian patents on a sound film system similar to an American system which can be fitted to any type of apparatus with practically no difficulty or loss of time. The Marconi-Gefra system was recently presented in Vienna; the prices of this device range from $1500 to $4000.
Austrian interest in sound films has increased enormously within the past few months. Already one company, Astra Film A. G. near Vienna, has begun the manufacture of sound films on an American system, using the disk method. Another company, Filmton Ges. I. G., has recently been formed and production is expected to start during the next twelve months. Back of the Filmton Ges. I. G. are Gefra, the leading radio concern of Vienna, and the Marconi people. Reproduction sets are at present made by Astra Film A. G., while Gefra, which is interested in Filmton Ges. I. G., claims that it is already making recording apparatus.
HUNGARY
Hungary has approximately 450 motion picture houses, 93 of which are located in Budapest. Only five houses in the entire country are capable of accommodating over 750 people, the average seating capacity being about 300. Plans are under way in Budapest to equip the three largest theaters in that city with reproduction sets. With the exception of the Ufa theater, which will have a Tobis installation, the others will be wired with American equipment.
With the scarcity of large houses, the prevailing limitations for the immediate installation of sound equipment in Hungary are very evident. Important as this feature may be it is not the only obstacle in the way of sound pictures in Hungary. The Hungarian