Year book of motion pictures (1931)

AUSTRIA Agitation — The executive regulations pertaining to film contingents are determined as follows, as per Sept. 1, 1930: The importation of sound films, short sound films and silent feature films is dependent on an import permit which is issued on the strength of bonus certificates (Vorraerkscheine). Import permits are issued in the following proportion : For each bonus certificate. Four import permits for short sound films of less than 300 meters in length or two import permits for short sound films exceeding 300 meters in length or three import permits for silent films. It requires three bonus certificates to secure an import permit for one program filling sound film. For every sound film produced within the country and recognized as an Austrian product from 22-32 bonus certificates are issued in accordance with the general rulings governing the classification of "Austrian products." The number of bonus certificates issued for Austrian short sound films and silent films is from 2-7 and from 10 to 16, respectively. If apparatus produced in Austria has been employed in the preparation of the first two categories, namely, sound feature films and short sound films, the number of bonus certificates issued for each film will be increased by 12 and from 1 to 2, respectively. An additional bonus certificate, over and above the number set forth under 2 and 3 will be issued for every Austrian film (short sound films excepted) of which at least three copies are made in an Austrian studio. Censorship — The reel censorship law in Austria was withdrawn during 1929 and all control of film exhibitions now rest in the hands of the provincial authorities. Competition — 50 per cent American, German 40. Copyright Relations — Established by Presidential Proclamation, Sept. 20, 1907, extended April 9, 1910, March 11, 1925, and Dec. 19, 1929. Production — 19 features produced during 1929 at a total cost of $300,000. All silent. 160 shorts also produced. Taxes — The following special fees and taxes are in effect : 1 — Important licenses range from $250 to $300 each. 2 — Censor's fee approximately 25 schillings ($3.60) per 1,000 meters. 3 — "Vorfuehrungsgebuehr," from 200 to 400 schillings ($28.60 to $57.20) per film. 4 — Municipal tax on admission tickets. Three classes: 28%, 20% and 10% of gross receipts. 5 — Government tax on admission tickets (turnover tax) two per cent. 6 — The owner or lessee of the theater pays the usual taxes (tax on earnings and on personal income) and has to pay various Government or municipal public welfare taxes (unemployment fund, insurance of employees against illness and accidents, pension funds, etc.) Theaters — 745. Sound — 116 theaters equipped as of November 1, 1930. 74 wired in Vienna. Imports from U. S. A. — 1929— 2,246,883 feet; value $53,262. 1930— Sound, 680,107 feet; value $16,327. 1930— Silent 703,974 feet; value $21,184. Exports to U. S. A. — 1929— 23.750 feet; value $ 487. 713 in Australia Total of 713 features produced in the United States were shown in Australia during 1930 out of a total of 823 feature subjects released in the country. The United Kingdom furnished 61 and other countries 49. DISTRIBUTORS AND IMPORTERS VIENNA Artistic Film. Neubaugasse 25. Bart, Adolf, Seidengasse 4. lierka, Oscar Braunschweigg«.sse 17. liohm. Erich, Keilgasse 6. Elite-Film, Neubaugasse 38. Engel, Film-Hugo, Neubaugasse 28. Kngel & Walter, Neubaugasse 25. Excelsior Film, Siebensterngasse 39. Fox Film Corp., Mariahilferstr 47. (.'■aumont-G.m.b.H., Mariahilferstr. 57-59. Hofbauer, Gotz, Mariahilferstr. 51. Ituk, Mariahilferstr. 47. Koppelmann & Reiter, Neubaugasse 25. Lux Filmfabrikation, Neubaugasse 25. Metro-Goldvvyn-Mayer Film. G.m.b.H., Neubaugasse 1. Mondial Film Industrie, Neubaugasse 2. Muller, Robert, Neubaugasse 25. Xewa Film, Neubaugasse 38. Oesterreichische Filmindustrie, Neubaugasse 64. Pan Film A. G., Neubaugasse 64. Paramount Films, G.m.b.H., Neubaugasse 1. Phillip and Co., Neubaugasse 12. Sascha Filmindustrie, Siebensterngasse 31. Schafer, Josef and Guttmann, Neubaugasse 2. Schwarzenberg, J., Neubaugasse 23. Superfira, Lindengasse 49. Ufa Film, Neubaugasse 1. Universal Film G.m.b.H., Mariahilferstr. 7. Weil and Co., Eduard, Neubaugasse 25. Wiener Lichtbilderei, Neubaugasse 38. Wiener Volksbildungsverein, Stobergasse 11. BAHAMAS Agitation — None. Censorship — Local. Copyright Relations — See United Kingdom. Production — None. Taxes — Moderate. Theaters — 3; total seating capacity 1,160; total receipts 1929 approximately $27,500. (Note: Footage figures for individual countries are not given in the export and import classification. Other British West Indies represent all countries in British VVest Indies itself, except the Bermudas, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago.) OTHER BRITISH WEST INDIES Imports from U. S. A. — 1929— 2,557,953 feet; value $27,680. 1930— Sound, 275,226 feet; value $ 1,048. Silent, 1,113,524 feet; value $13,968. Exports to U. S. A. — 1929— None. 1930— None. Exhibitors Everywliere Read Tlie Film Daily 1009