Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

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October 4, 1930 Motion Picture News 59 Foreign Version Talkers the Only Means Of Breaking Into Film Markets Abroad Novelty Passes and Fans Now Demand Pictures in Their Native Language Washington — With the novelty era long since passed, motion picture audiences throughout Europe are becoming impatient over the lengthy period elapsing between the appearance of talkers in languages which they do not understand, and pictures with dialogue as it is spoken in their native tongue. The deathknell of English talkers, once successful because of their novelty, was sounded within the past few months when occasional domestic productions were screened in foreign countries. Fans saw and heard pictures with their own language and liked them, and now are greatly displeased when theatres show talkers in other tongues. The current installment of the United States government's exhaustive survey of film conditions in Europe, which has been appearing regularly in Motion Picture Nev/Sj is found below: The outstanding feature in the Spanish motion-picture trade during 1929 was the introduction of sound films. Several important theatres in Madrid and Barcelona installed equipment and presented sound films toward the middle of the year, and at its conclusion Bilbao, Zaragoza, Valencia, and Sevilla had either secured equipment or taken definite steps toward that objective. The public was enthusiastic upon hearing the first sound films, and the theatres were well filled during the first few weeks. Interest subsequently decreased, and there was noticeable impatience, owing to die inability of the masses to understand the foreign languages used. The opinions of a number of authorities agree that foreign-language sound films have passed the peak and that the future success of sound programs in Spain depends upon the use of the Spanish language. At the beginning of 1930 sound equipment was in operation or definitely decided upon by til following theatres: Madrid : Make Callao American. San Miguel Do. Palacio de la Musica Do. Real Cinema Do. Monumental Do. Royalty Melodion. San Carlos American. Cinema Espana Do. Barcelona : Coliseum Do. Tivoli Do. Pans Cine Gaumont. Femina American. Bilboa : Coliseo Albia Do. Buenos Aires Do. Zaragoza: Cine Alambra Melodion. Qtiintana y Cia Syntax. Sevilla: Llorens American. Valencia: Olympia Do. Other makes of sound film equipment are on the market, but as far as is known no sales have been made. The principal ones are the Zeiss-Ikon, based on German and British patents, and the Electro-Vox line. Distribution The subject of distribution may be .described more accurately by following the "temporada," or season, which is from September 1 to August 31, rather than the calendar year. The 1928-29 season was exclusively of silent films. Humor Yiddish, Spanish, Italian and English are spoken in the Educational-Ideal :omedy, "Si, Si, Senor," which features Tom Patricola and Joe Phillips. This was not done to increase the foreign market value of this comedy. The story was written around the speeial talents of Patricola and Phillips, and the laughs are sought from the introduction of the foreign languages, as used by the comedians. For the 1929-30 season distributors have brought in very close to 500 feature films, or about 100 less than for the previous film year. Approximately 75 per cent, or 375 films, were of American origin, 50 were German, 40 French, 15 British, and 20 Italian, Swedish, Danish, and others. Around 125 were sound films (music effects, talking, etc.), and the United States supplied not less than 120 of that number. One German and one British sound film have been mentioned as the only non-American products of importance. From 90 to 95 per cent of the sound films were accompanied by silent versions. Domestic Production Local film manufacturing may not as yet be described as an industry. Numerous persons and firms are listed as producers, but few are equipped for complete production. Several successful films purporting to have been of Spanish origin are said to have been made in whole or in part in France and Germany, and in other cases it is not known exactly where or how manufacturing is accomplished. It appears, however, that from 20 to 25 feature films were completed in Spain during the year, and 3 of them involved sound. Little progress has been made in the production of sound short subjects. The average cost of domestic films is about 100,000 pesetas ($19,300), with 50.000 and 200,000 pesetas as limits for 1929. As to studios, among more than 20 advertised, it would appear that the only ones which have produced regularly over a reasonable period of time are Madrid Film (Enrique Blanco, owner), Carrera de San Francisco 4, and Omnium Cine (Emilio Sanz Cruzado, owner), Bravo Murillo 26, both of Madrid. These two companies report their total investments in equipment as 600,000 and 150,000 pesetas, respectively. Laboratories suitably equipped for developing, cutting, title making, etc., are operated by Madrid Film, mentioned above, and Trilla, S. A., Rosellon 255, Barcelona. Fifteen other laboratories purport to be functioning. Prospects for production in 1930 indicate that few additional films over the 1929 figure will appear. However, a greater proportion of sound films are anticipated, along with an improvement in the quality of both kinds. It is doubtful that addiitonal studios will be equipped with sound apparatus. La Sociedad Patria Films, Paseo del Prado 14, Madrid, is reported to have been formed with a capital of 2,000,000 pesetas for the purpose of manufacturing sound films by the patent of Jose Luis Fernandez Ayuso, which consists of a synchronizing apparatus using a disk and loud-speaker and requiring no special projector. The company plans to produce two sound films in the near future, to be called "La Patria Chica" and "Isidrin, o las Cuarenta y Kueve Provincias." No other studio is known to be equipped permanently with sound apparatus. Ten new motion-picture theatres are known Industry in Portugal Reported In a State of Stagnation, Chiefly Due to Sound to have been constructed during 1929, six of which were in Madrid: Europa, 2,500 seats; Metropolitano, 2,500; Castilla, 900; Delicias, 2,000; San Carlos, 2,000; and Palacio de la Prensa, 1,000. A new theatre with 1,800 seats is being constructed on the Avenida Reina Mercedes in Sevilla. The aggregate seating capacity is estimated at 15,000, or an average of 1,500 each. At the, end of 1929 not fewer than 300 motion-picture theatres were functioning daily and 1,740 irregularly. In addition to these, about 1,035 literary and vaudeville theatres were showing motion pictures occasionally. Moreover, from 250 to 300 other amusement places, as bull rings, football fields, schools, hotels, cafes, and clubs, were using films during certain seasons of the year. The Anuario del Cinematografista for the 1928-29 season published the names of 3,357 theatres or amusement places showing films. From 100 to 150 theatres have been reconstructed as a result of the fire in the Novedades theatre in Madrid. Little additional seating capacity was added, however, as the reforms consisted chiefly in metal screening for fire protection. There is no set policy as to wiring. Most operators seem to be unconcerned, or at least awaiting the lead of foreign developments. Legislation There was no important legislation in 1929 against the importation, or projection of foreign-made films or motion-picture equipment. One unsuccessful attempt was made by a firm possessing patent rights to prohibit the exhibition of sound films manufactured by competing equipment, and throughout the year there were numerous press rumors concerning legislation to restrict film imports and to levy special taxes for stimulating domestic production. In March a commission was appointed to study the industry, but its findings have caused no new legislation. At the end of the year the situation remained unchanged, and the trade anticipates no important legislation in 1930 affecting the foreign trade. During the year American film prestige not only held ground but increased. Stiff Dialogue Rule in Portugal During 1929 six new movie theatres were constructed in "Portugal, their combined seating capacity being 5,100. Two smaller cinemas were reconstructed. No cinemas in Portugal are equipped with sound apparatus, and it is not expected that it will ever be generally used. There is a rule of the Portuguese Government that no foreign language, not even one phrase, is to be used in the titles of silent films or speech of sound films. Three films, all silent, were produced in Pcrtugal during 1929; one of 4.000 meters (Continued on Page 60) German Renters Desert Unit and Form New One Berlin — Twenty-seven leading distributors made a sensational bolt from the old association, the A. D. F., and formed a new unit. They invite cooperating with the old organization, on condition the latter agrees to certain changes, including complete operating of general operating principles.