Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1921)

88 EXHIBITORS HERALD September 24, 1921 Eastman Replies to Cromelin By Quoting Statistics Concludes Letter By Stating Reference to Eastman Profits is a "Favorite Resort" GEORGE EASTMAN, head of the Eastman Kodak Company, has addressed a letter to the editor of the Herald in answer to a statement oi Paul Cromelin, president and general manager of the Inter-Ocean Film Corporation, issued August 27. His letter is as follows : CERTAIN statements regarding rawmotion picture film made in the letter of Mr. Paul Cromelin, president and general manager of the Inter-Ocean Film Corporation, which was published August 27, necessitate a reply. Figures were quoted from the official reports of the Department of Commerce regarding the importation of raw motion picture film into this country during the five years, 1914-1918, but no mention was made of the countries from which these imports came. These government records show that of the total imports of approximately 260,000,000 feet during these five years (as quoted in the above mentioned letter), 225,824,677 feet of this film were imported from France, or over 86 per cent. If all this film had been placed upon the market, it would represent only a small proportion of the total film used in this country. It is, however, well known in motion picture film circles that practically all of the French film was imported and used by the maker and that it was not placed on the market. During the four full war years, only 18,993,012 feet came from countries other than France, and the large proportion of this came during the first year of the war. These imports from countries other than France represent practically all of the raw motion picture film that can be considered as being placed upon the market in this country. From July 1, 1915, to June 30, 1917, the amount of this film was negligible. These figures all bear out my original statement that "from the fall of 1914 to the fall of 1918, or even later, practically all foreign-made motion picture film was kept out of the American market. No possible tariff could equal the embargo of the war conditions." It is stated in the above mentioned letter that no raw stock was imported from Germany during the war or during 1920. It is true that no film was imported from Germany in 1920, but if the 1921 figures are investigated, it is found that Germany began sending film into this country in February, 17,585 feet being sent during that month. Since February, 1921, the German film has been imported into this country at a rapidly increasing rate, until in June, 1921 (the last month for which statistics are available), Germany imported into the United States 7,422,300 feet of raw motion picture film, which last mentioned figure was over 40 per cent of the entire importations of such film for that month. * * * We have never stated that Belgian and English film imported into this country was not coated upon American-made celluloid base. We stated that all German and French film is made upon German or French-made celluloid. The government records for 1921 show that not one foot of English raw motion picture film has been imported into this country between January 1 and July 1 of this year; whereas in 1920, 6,350,300 feet were imported. The government records also show that in February, 1921, 7,156,680 feet of raw motion picture film was imported from Belgium and in June, 1921, only 641,850 feet. These figures would indicate that German-made film coated upon German-made celluloid, is driving out of the market the British and Belgian film. It is well known in the trade that a motion picture film manufacturer can produce his celluloid base cheaper than he can buy it outside; other things being equal, the manufacturer who buys his celluloid base cannot successfully compete with the manufacturer who makes his own base. Reference to the earnings of the Kodak Company is the favorite resort of all competitors who wish to attack the company. The competitor manufacturing cameras uses it; the competitor manufacturing roll film uses it; the competitor manufacturing photographic paper uses it, and the competitor interested in raw motion picture film uses it. Each one assumes that the earnings are derived from the particular line in which he is interested. One might infer from the above mentioned letter of Mr. Cromelin's that the earnings of the Kodak Company were derived entirely from the sale of motion picture film. Such an inference is, of course, erroneous, as this company manufactures and markets a large number of products other than motion picture film, such as cameras, photographic paper, portrait film, dry plates, sundry photographic materials and supplies for the professional and commercial photographer, and kodaks, kodakfilm, photographic paper and supplies for the amateur photographer, of whom there are millions in this country. ANNA Q. NILSSON, who is featured in the Warner Bros, picture "Why Girls Leave Home" produced by Harry Rapf and directed by William Nigh. Jackie Coogan Company Making Rapid Progress In Filming of "My Boy" Jackie Coogan has settled down to hard work on his first production since "Peck's Bad Boy," and stories are being gathered for the four additional pictures to be made by the Jackie Coogan Productions for publication by Irving M. Lesser and Mike Rosenberg, of the Western Pictures Exploitation Company. The first story, titled "My Boy," is that of a lost boy who finally comes into love and riches. Jackie plays a waif of the steerage. In the story his mother dies while the steamer is en route to America. Here Jackie is taken in hand by a gruff old sea captain, "Bill" Herron. played by Claude Gillingwater. The Jackie Coogan Production company is producing at the Brunton studios in Hollywood. They have leased, it is said, the major portion of the extensive Brunton lot. Sol Lesser is the executive head of the organization, while Jack Coogan, the child's father, is general manager. George Stout is production manager and Victor Hcerman, director. Glen MacWilliams is chief cameraman with Robert Martin as his assistant. Shirley Vance Martin has been engaged as special "still" photographer and Tom E. Held occupies the position of assistant director.