Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

January 7, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 29 Government Issues Official Survey on Film Importation Gives Complete Data On Export and Import Eleven Tables and Other Information Contained in mrtment of Commerce Bulletin Educational Field Still Unexplored (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Dec. 27.— John J. Tigert, United States commissioner of education, in his annual report, a copy of which has been received by the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry, states that the educational field in motion pictures has been practically unexplored. "The demand from educational institutions," the report says, "may never equal in bulk or in steady continuity the commercial demand, and yet its potential strength is sufficient to attract attention if only it can be organized and given expression." He says that representatives of large producers have declared their willingness to produce the films if they can be assisted in determining what is needed for the schools. Will Seek Prosecution Of Music Tax Society Under Anti Trust Law (Special to Exhibitors Herald) KANSAS CITY, KAN'S., Dec. 27.— The Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Kansas are getting ready for a skirmish with the music tax society, according to M. Van Praag, president of the Kansas organization. The Kansas exhibitors have not and are not paying the tax, which, according to Mr. Van Praag. has resulted in letters of intimidation being sent out by the music tax society. A move is being considered by Mr. Van Praag and Attorney General Richard Hopkins of Kansas, counsel for the state organization, whereby the music tax society may be prosecuted under the antitrust laws of Kansas. This, it is believed, would forever silence an element which has been an annovance to the exhibitors. Exhibitor Indicted on Charge of Tax Fraud (Special to Exhibitors Herald) DES MOINES, IA., Dec. 27. — T. L. Adams, former head of the theatre company bearing his name, has been indicted by the federal grand jury on a charge of defrauding the government out of $26,000 collected as war tax on admissions. Adams is at liberty on bond. Voters in Springfield Close Sunday Shows (Special to Exhibitors Herald) SPRINGFIELD, MO.. Dec. 27.— At the special election today Sunday blue law advocates won by a vote of 6,032 to 3,166. Dept. Statistical and other information bearing on the development of the motion picture industry abroad and the extent of importations into the United States, gathered by the United States government, was made public this week in a bulletin issued by Secretary Hoover of the Department of Commerce. The report was requested in a resolution adopted by the senate. With protective tariffs on films proposed in United States and many . foreign countries, the data is of importance to everyone in the film industry. It is especially valuable to producers and distributors. Complete Tables Accompany Announcement A series of eleven tables, showing the export of films from United States and the imports from various countries, are contained in the bulletin. Practically all film imported into United States, it is shown, comes from five European countries, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy and the United Kingdom. The film situation in each of these countries is discussed. >, The tables, illustrating the report, will be found on page 59, The report complete is as follows : The imports of motion picture film into the United States have increased enormously in both quantity and value in the last 10 years, says the Department of Commerce. Imports have expanded from 11,725,000 feet, valued at SCS5.000, in 1911 to 150,000,000 feet, valued at more than S4,000,000, in 1921. In the years 1911 to 1914 the expansion was rapid and in 1914 our import amounted to 64.774,000 linear feet of film worth $2,302,000. Two classes of film are imported: (1) "Exposed" which includes: (a) Positives, the finished film ready for projection. (b) Negatives, the exposed film from which the projection positive is made. (2) "Unexposed," which includes only one class "sensitized, but not exposed film" commonly called "raw film." Exposed Film Important As far as the motion picture industry is concerned, the exposed film is the more important. Raw film imports compete with the domestic production of photographic goods, rather than with the production of motion pictures. The value of a foot of raw film is but a small fraction of the value of a foot of exposed film. Exposed film in quantity in recent vears has been less than one-tenth of our total import, except in 1919 when it was approximately one-sixth, but in value it has ranged from one-third to one-halt of the total value. In 1919, for example, imports of 13,747,000 feet of raw film were valued at $2fiXQfiQ, T5uT2.920.000 feet of exposed film were valued at 5500,000. Total film imports have increased in both quantitv and value to more than twice the highest pre-war figure, but the increase is due to the growth in the import of raw film. In 1914 we imported 44,717,000 feet of "raw" film, and the 1921 September fieures indicate that the import for the year will be in excess of 130,000.000 feet, or about three times the 1914 figure. Our imports of exposed film, however, have shown a decrease, and for they will apparently be about half as large as in 1914. During the war imports tell from 20,057,000 feet in 1914 to the low mark of 2,267,975 feet in 1918. Recovery since 1918 has been rapid, imports increasing in 1920 to 6,233,000 feet, and for 1921 will probably be approximately 10,000,000 feet. The total value of this exposed film is likely to be about the same as in 1914, the price of film, like prices of other commodities, having changed. Significance of Imports During the war, the development and expansion of the American motion picture industry proceeded with great rapidity. Imports of exposed film declined and the effect of foreign competition in the domestic field became less important. Exports of exposed film increased from 32.192,000 feet in 1913 to over 150.000.000 feet in 1919. In 1920 our exports of exposed film were 175,233.000 feet, which is more than five times the highest pre-war figure. For the present year the total export will probably be somewhat less than in 1920. As compared with our domestic exports of exposed film imports are of relatively small importance. Even for the current year, in which imports have increased and exports decreased, the import will probably be only 10.000.000 feet, while exports will be at least 140.000,000 feet. Since many of the pictures sent to this country by foreign producers are not saleable and are never shown before American audiences, the figures for the import of exposed film are of slightlv less significance than they at first appear. Further, in gaging the imports, the rapid development and expansion of the domestic industry must be taken into account. An import of 1.000,000 feet of film into the United States today means much less to the industry than the importation of a similar amount (Continued on page 58)