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42
E X II I P» I TO RS II E RAI.D
October If), 1920
Siam Offers Good Market for U. S. Film, According to Consul Report
Two Companies Now Control the Situation in that Country— Thirteen Theatres Are Operated There by These Concerns
(From Hxhtbttors Herald's Washington Bureau)
WASHINGTON. D. C. Oct. 5.— A good field for American motion picture films exists in Siam, according to reports from the consul at Bangkok to the department of commerce, and it is probable that a large number of films will be imported in the near future under arrangements which are being made by pne of the two companies controlling the motion picture industry of the country. The department report says:
"The motion picture theatre interests in Siam are at the present time controlled by two companies only, namely, the Siam Cinematograph Company and the Nakorn Khascm Company (Limited), the latter company having recently purchased the entire business of the Nakorn Khascm Cinematograph Company. The paid-in capital of the new company "is given at 500,000 ticals ($185,000), and it lias in operation four motion picture halls, with a seating capacity of about '.1,000, while the average daily admissions number 7,000, more or less, at a charge ranging from 0.15 to 3 ticals.
To Erect New House
"The new company intends in the near future to erect another hall at a cost of about 300,000 ticals, and at the same time its activities will be extended to all the principal provincial towns in the kingdom. This company deals in and rents films on its own account, as well as in all sorts of motion picture accessories, and it is understood will specialize in American films.
"The Siam Cinematograph Company operates nine halls in Bangkok, with a seating capacity of about 12,000, and also has branches in the leading cities in Siam. The company also supplies and deals in films and all kinds of accessories.
No Magazines Published
"There are no motion picture magazines published in Siam. but the daily and weekly newspapers devote space for this purpose, and among these are the Bangkok Daily Mail. Bangkok Times and Siam Observer.
"Statistics for the import of films are only available for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1919, showing a total import of 6,037 kilos, valued at 303,967 ticals, for that period. Of these films, 5,091 kilos, valued at 267,940 ticals, were shipped from Singapore; 773 kilos, valued at 24.891 ticals, from the United Kingdom; 18 kilos, valued at 1.850 ticals, from the United States; 91 kilos, valued at 3,575 ticals, from Japan; 37 kilos, valued at 5,029 ticals, from France, and 27 kilos, valued at 682 ticals, from Penang.
Films Are Re-Exported
"The customs reports further show that of the total imports of 303,967 ticals' worth of films in the year under review, 268.509 ticals' worth were re-exported, against a re-export of 372.641 ticals' worth in .previous fiscal twelve month.
"There does not seem to be any special choice as to the type of picture most favored, but in general the comic, the serial with beautiful scenes, and the
powerful dramatic plays draw a lull
house.
"The import duty on films and all classes of cinema apparatus is 3 per cent ad valorem, and there is no censorship on these goods in this country.
"Films, motion picture machinery and accessories are not manufactured in Siam."
Chicago Girl in Films
Irene Dalton, Chicago girl, who went to the coast two months ago for a trial with the Christie Comedy Company, has been assured she has a bright future in pictures. She is the "find" of "Billie" Bastar, well-known Chicago film man.
N. Y. Trade Showing Of "Kismet" Oct. 25
(Special to Exhibitors Herald)
NEW YORK, Oct. 5.— October 25 has been selected by Robertson-Coleas the date for its special premier showing to the trade of "Kismet," the special production starring Otis Skinner and based on the famous play by Edward Knoblock in which Mr. Skinner appeared on the American stage for three consecutive years. The Astor grand ball room will be the scene of the presentation.
Rex In Corry Progresses
CORRY, PA.— With work progressing satisfactorily on the construction of the new Rex theatre, Manager D. ManIcy Parker expects the house to be completed by November 15. The theatre will seat 1,200 persons and will be one of the most modern houses in this locality.
« \ M I EL <.<>! I>\\ \ \
... . ... ... . " .'CTB
Rex Beach Pays Compliment to
Samuel Goldwyn in Open Letter
My dear Samuel Goldwyn: Your resignation as president of tin (joldwyn Pictures C orporation prompts me to write you, not alone on my own account, but also on behalf of American authors as a body. I am sure that neither you nor they realize the significance of what you have accomplished for them and for the screen. Nor do I believe that motion picture people understand the importance to the industry of at least one theory that you put into practice : namely, the revolutionary theory that moving pictures are not merely so much celluloid and that good pictures are not measured entirely by
the quality of the camera and laboratory work.
So far as I know, 1 was about 1
the first author to make his own |
pictures, and certainly you were the |
first influential producer who agreed j
that it was a good experiment. §
The others seemed to believe that |
the mere presence of an author |
in a studio would wreck it. My §
shock at finding in you an intelligent j
human being with a keen, sensible |
outlook upon the picture industry |
was second only to that I experi §
enced later when you suggested that §
we undertake to seriously interest §
several of the big, vital fiction |
writers of the day in devoting their I
talents to the actual preparation j
and supervision of their own pic f tures.
Briefly, I hold you accountable f
for this : for being the first power !
ful producer to give real recogni j
; tion to the author and to accord him not only the opportunity of j
1 presenting his stories upon the screen with the same freedom he j
| enjoys in putting them upon the page or the stage, but also to i
| encourage him in so doing. It took vision and courage. It blazed a f
| new trail for other producers to follow, and Heaven knows they have §
| done so. It did much for the industry, and it meant a very great deal I
| to authors. You opened the studio door to authors and I hope I am 1
| not presumptuous in venturing to thank you on behalf of the whole ! 1 writing fraternity.
| Sincerely yours,
| (Signed) REX BEACH. . j
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