Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1929)

136 BETTER THEATRES SECTION OF October 26, 1929 THE EXPORT MARKET The European Motion Picture Equipment Market Continuing the reports from overseas re presentatives of the U. S. Department of Commerce on the conditions confronting American exporters of motion picture equipment in the countries of the Old W orld, as compiled By N. D. GOLDEN Assistant Chief. Motion Picture Section, U. S. Department of Commerce SPAIN (continued) In the theatres of the small towns and in the smaller theatres of the larger cities, rarely more than one projector is in operation, but the larger and more important houses are equipped with at least two. Some of the large theatres which operate in the open air in the summer time have as many as six. At present, many of the larger theatres are installing two projectors in order to avoid interruption between reels. In the large theatres the most modern equipment is used, but in the small towns secondhand equipment is frequently purchased. There are so fewAmerican projectors in use that there is no favorable basis for comparison with those of other makes. However, one American machine in use has given satisfactory service. Dealers. — Equipment dealers who might be interested in handling American motion-picture projectors, both theatrical and nontheatrical types, are : Luis Martinez Sanchez, Mendez Nunes 5, Alicante. Ideal Cinema, Avenida Zorrilla, Alicante. Monumental Salon Moderno, Alfonso el Sabio, Alicante. Cine Popular, Barcas, Murcia. Media Luna Cinema, Gonzalez-Conde, Murcia. Salon Sport, Plaza Merced, Cartagena. Don, Alejandro Campa, Plaza Cataluna 17, Barcelona. Lorenzo Espiga, Calle Berastiqui 5, Bilbao. Amado Avila, Gran Via 4, Bilbao. Bertrand Auban, Gasquet, Sierpes 34, Seville. Guillermo Green, Velazquez 8, Seville. Eduardo Jimenez Gonzales, O'Donnell 34, Seville. Casa Kodak, Campana 10, Seville. Sucesor de Hijo de Perez Romero, Rioja 22, Seville. Vicente Alagon, Calle Lauria 9, Valencia. There has recently been organized an exhibitors' trust including Barcelona and near-by towns. It is to handle equipment as well as contract for films, is friendly to American products, is backed by the Banca de Barcelona and Banco Gentral, and claims a capital of 5,000,000 pesetas. The firm might well be approached by an American manufacturer who could make it an interesting offer. For, the present, to reach the trust, inquirers should address Alejandro Campa, Plaza Cataluna 17, Barcelona. Inasmuch as the market in the Canary Islands is so limited, and the German and French machines already have such good representation, it is hot"thought that there would be an opening for an American company. As for Spain in general, it is believed that American machines having the qualities which have made for the popularity of French and German machines could find a good market with proper sales efforts. Best results could probably be obtained by establishing live agencies in Barcelona or Madrid. Generators. — There would be no opportunity for the sale of American generator sets in Madrid for use in motion-picture theatres for converting alternating to direct current, inasmuch as direct current is emoloyed. This is likewise true in Barcelona, Bilbao, Seville and Valencia. In Alicante there are various Spanish-made generator sets on the market fpr converting alternating to direct current. It is understood, however, that American generator sets would have a good market in the Alicante district, should they be able to compete favorably in price and quality. Arc lamps. — Almost all the theatres are equipped with high-intensity and mirror-reflector arc lamps. Screens. — Linen cloth and white canvas of different sizes and cloth painted with aluminum paint are used in Spain for screens. In Madrid, several theatres are using an American screen. Visual education. — Visual education as it is known in the United States is practically unknown in Spain. Motion pictures are used in some schools to a small extent, but as a means of entertainment. Matters pertaining to education are under the jurisdiction of the minister of public instruction, Madrid. Portable apparatus. — The following are the prices at which portable motion-picture cameras and projectors are selling on this market at present : Pathe Baby, camera 13u to 265 pesetas, projector 150 pesetas; lea, camera 500 to 900 pesetas, projector 135 to 400 pesetas ; an American make, camera 540 to 1,200 pesetas, projector 260 to 600 pesetas. Price considerations control in the Spanish market, and for that reason the Pathe Baby seems to lead in popularity. The lea has also met with some success. No Spanish motion-picture cameras are on the market and none are known to be manufactured in Spain. Voltage. — The current available generally is 110 voltage and 50 cycles. This electric power is available in nearly all private homes. Import duties. — The Spanish customs duties on motion-picture cameras and projectors would be assessed under the following excerpts from the Spanish import tariff. It should be noted that all duty is payable in the Spanish gold peseta, which is worth $0,193. Pesetas per kilo, net Cameras, hand or studio, size 13 by 18 centimeters and upwards, both with and without lenses; stereoscopic and cinematographic machines with their parts and photographic accessories, such as amplifiers, projectors, plate holders, stands, and similar articles 1 Blank films 1 Exposed films 15 Lenses of all kinds, with mountings, and all other optica! apparatus not previouslymentioned 15 A certificate of origin is required with each shipment of goods in these classes. Credit terms. — German and French houses grant terms more liberal than is customary for Americans, and credits of 90 and 120 days are not unusual. Most American manufacturers selling to importers generally ask cash against documents on c. i. f. shipments, or offer 30 or 60 days after acceptance of draft. The opening of a branch house would, of course, change the credit situation materially. The demanding of bank guaranties is looked upon in Spain as a reflection upon the honor of the merchant, although in many instances it is the only safe recourse for the shipper. SWEDEN From reports by T. O. Klath, American commercial attache, and John Ball Osborne, American consul general With its total of about 1,400 motion-picture theatres of all sizes and types, with an estimated combined seating capacity of approximately 220,000, Sweden, in proportion to its population of about 6,000,000, is an unusually important market for motion-picture projectors and other film-theatre accessories. Projectors are not made in Sweden, and the market is almost entirely in the hands of German manufacturers, although a limited number of French and a few of American makes are in use. Standard projectors. — The following makes of projectors comprise over 90 per cent of the total installed and probably account for even a higher percentage of current sales in the Swedish market : Ernemann I, Ernemann II, Hahn-Goerz, A. E. G., Erko, Nitzsche, and Bauer. In addition, there are in operation a few of the older type Pathe machines and a very few American machines that were imported seven or eight years ago. Current selling;' prices for the various types of machines are : Crowns Ernemann I, equipped with small mirrorreflector arc lamp 2,150 Ernemann II, equipped with large mirrorreflector arc lamp . 3,015 Ernemann II, equipped with small mirrorreflector arc lamp 2,835 Hahn-Goerz about 2,000 A. E. G about 2,000 Erko about 2,000 Nitzsche about 2,000 The popularity enjoyed by the German type seems to be due to various reasons. It seems that they are cheaper, easier for an inexperienced person to operate, and fully meet all requirements. Furthermore, the trade is of the opinion that they are much easier to keep in proper running condition. Swedish legislation requires that only the film wheels themselves must be protected, and consequently