The film daily year book of motion pictures (1934)

their exhibition and about 100 of them have said that they would replace sound-on-disk equipment with sound-on-film as soon as the prohibitive import duty on the latter is reduced. An effort is now being made by the owners to secuie such a reduction which, if accomplished, will mean a greater financial return to the owners and an improved exhibition for their patrons. Imports from U.S.A. — 1932— Negative, sound 19,949 ft. $726 Positive, sound 8,972,835 ft. 223,234 1933 -First Six Months: Negative, sound 24,766 ft. 563 Positive, sound 3,384,914 ft. 83,058 studio which production in 1931 was reported at 16 and during the first 11 months of 1932 a total of 20 has been reported. Netherland Agitation — Agitation against motion picture film exhibition is practically limited to religious bodies. Not serious except in Catholic provinces of Limburg and North Brabant. Censorship — Very strict. Present law became effective on March 1, 1928. Power vested in Central Commission at The Hague, consisting of 60 members. Additional censorship boards exist in some localities. During 1932, 1.962 films (2,162 in 1931) were censored of which 11 (21) were rejected and 106 (99) cut. On a footage basis 51.8% of all films censored were approved for showing to persons of all ages, 15.5% to persons above 14 years, 29.7% to persons above 18 years and 3% rejected. Censorship fee increased July 1, 1933 from 3 Dutch cents per meter to 35c per 10 meters. Fees for cultural and scientific films unchanged at lc per meter. Competition — On basis of new films passed by censor in 1931, 39.5% American, 25.7% Dutch, 25% German. 4.9% French and 1.2% British. On a basis of footage, 41.2% American, 39.3% German, 9.3%Dutch, 3.8% French and 1.7% British. American percentage probably greater in 1933 while German percentage is thought to have declined slightly. Copyright Relations — Netherland is a member of "Berne Convention". Present copyright law dated September 23, 1912. Copyright continues 50 years after authors death, with some exceptions. Production — Almost exclusively news reels, mainly sound, and industrial, advertising and cultural films. One sound feature film, historical, produced in 1933 in cooperation with Philips Radio and Electrical Works which has installed a modern studio at Eindhoven. Few additional small studios, some with sound. Four portable sound news recorders. Theaters — 255. Sound — 240 wired. Very little interest pictures. Imports from U. S. A. — 1932— Positive, sound 1,107,725 ft. 1933— First Six Months: 1933— Positive, sound 1,061,720 ft. i silent $23,226 17,728 DISTRIBUTORS AND IMPORTERS AMSTERDAM Amfilmin, Frans Halsstraat 12-14, Haarlem. Atlasfilm, Daplacestraat 72 bis. Bergfilm Cy. Heminielaan 21. N. V. City Film, Nieuwstraat 24. N. V. Universal Film Booking Office, Nwe Doe lenstraat 8. F:lma, Prinsengracht 530. F. A. N., Rijnstraat 112. K I. M. Film, Singel 469. N V. Netherlands Fox Film, Rokin 38. Fortuna Film, Pieter Bothstraat 31, Den Haag. I. net C. Barnstijn, Hoefkade 9, Den Ilaag. I.igafilms, Prinsengracht 452. N. V. Metro-Coldyn-Maycr, Damrak 49. H M Laden, Ilaarlemmerdijk 82. Mnnopolcfihn, Grocnendaal 107, Rotterdam. Meteor Film, Keizergracht 794. Melior Films, Riouwstraat 204, Den Haag. N. V. Odeon, Jekerstraat 92. N. V. Paramount Films, Kcizersgracht 399. RemacO, Keizergracht 451. Sapho Film. Stationswcg 93, Den Ilaag. Universal Film Agency, Damrak 53. N V. Ufa Film Mij., Heerengracht 592. N V United Artists, Hoefkade 9, Den Haag. Netherland India (Note— This is now the proper official name for this territory in lieu of Netherland East Indies.) Agitation— Practically none. Censorship— Very strict, as to all problems dealing witli racial differences, mob scenes, use ot firearms, etc. . , Competition— American films continue to predominate with increasing competition from German producers and to a lesser extent British. This applies principally in larger towns and cities. A few French pictures appearing tpartly oy American producers in France) but not yet an important factor. Chinese films remain an important element in their own field. , Copyright Relations— Laws of the Netherlands apply. Production — None. ... Taxes_Very high with further increase in import duties pending for January 1, 1934. Theaters — 108 (estimated). Sound— 131 theaters wired for sound motion pictures. Imports from U. S. A. — 1932— Positive, sound 1,665,448 ft. $26,117 1933— First Six Months: _ 1933— Positive, sound 991,134 ft. 13,530 New Zealand Agitation— Under the Cinematograph Films Act, 1928, it is unlawful to enter into an agreement for the supply to an exhibitor of films to be exhibited at any premises during any period longer than twelve months and no such agreement shall be entered into more than nine months before the date fixed for the commencement of the supply of such films. This limits the number of pictures booked for a weekly supply within the one year to fifty-two, and twenty-six for a fortnightly supply. Quota for the year commencing January 1, 19j4, all film exchanges doing business in New Zealand must (unless specially exempted) acquire 15% of British quota films (that is, films over 3,000 ^e<For the year beginning October 1, 1933, all exhibitors must screen not less than 10% of British quota, films. Most foreign companies or companies importing foreign films also import British quota films, in order to make provision for the exhibitor's quota requirements. Censorship — The Cinematograph Film Act, 1928, 1039