Year book of motion pictures (1934)

Taking into consideration their weighty influence in social life and, on the other hand, recognizing that this influence can be utilized with great benefit to the Nation: Using the faculty conferred by Part 2 of Sub-Division of Article 106 of the Constitution, the Government decrees and I promulgate, to be valid as law, the following : Article 1. The "Companhia Portuguesa de Filmes Sonoros Tobis-Klangfilm" shall be exempted, during a period of five years, to be counted from the date of its organization, from the payment of property and industrial taxes, as well as from import duties on machinery, apparatus and material necessary for the establishment and operation of its industry. Article 2. Cinematograph shows at which two thirds, at least, of the sound film shown have been produced in domestic studios, shall be placed on the same footing as the theater, for the purpose of the payment of taxes. Article 3. Importers of foreign sound films shall be obliged to acquire, for exhibition in Portugal, sound films produced in domestic studios, to the number of meters annually determined by the Government, in accordance with the state of film production and exhibition. Provided, however, that in the first year, beginning on October 1, the determination to which this article refers shall be made by the General Inspection Service of Shows, but may not exceed 600 meters of Portuguese film for each 9,000 meters of imported film. Let this be published and compiled with as herein set forth. Palace of the Government of the Republic, August 14, 1933. As can be seen from Article I of this decree, it grants considerable advantages in the matter of non-payment of certain taxes and import duties for a period of five years to the "Companhia Portuguese de Filmes Sonoros TobisKlangfilm". The quota provided for in Article 3 does not appear to be discriminatory as it affects equally American, German and French producers. Censorship — There has been no change in the censorship of motion picture films exhibited in Portugal. The legislation covering this matter is contained in Decree No. 13,564, dated May 6, 1927. Competition — American films are very popular and well liked in Portugal and they dominate the market here, accounting for over 50% of the distribution, both on the basis of the number of films shown and on the length. The following statistics show the number, nationality, and length of the films submitted to the censor for approval during the calendar years 1932 and during the first six months of 1933: January to December, 1932 Country Number of Films Length in Meters of Origin Sound Silent Sound Silent United State s . . 393 365,399 107 103,334 91 94,352 22 12,011 138 46,057 Total 613 138 575,096 46,057 January to June. 1933 Country of Origin Number Length in Meters 242 225,510 S3 63,346 38 46,895 97 20,023 17 4,125 Brazil 2 2,500 1 2,400 Total 450 364,799 Production ■During the year 1932. one silent feature film "Campinas de Ribatejo", was produced in Portugal, this film having a length of 2,000 meters. All the other Portuguese films consist of one reel silents of an educational variety showing Portuguese scenes and industries. One of these must be shown at each motion picture performance. One sound feature film, "Cancao de Lisboa" has been produced in 1933 by the Companhia Portuguese de Filmes Sonoras Tobis-Klangfilm. The actual taking of this film has been done but the technical work preparatory to putting it into shape for exhibition has not yet been completed. It is believed that it will consist of approximately nine reels and that it will be approximately 2,800 meters long. No further production of feature films is expected during the current year. Taxes — High. Theaters — The total number of moving picture theaters in Portugal is 250. Sound — 107 theaters wired for sound. It is reported that 65 theaters were wired in 1932, 55 being disc and film and 10 sound on film. Imports from U. S. A. — 1932— Positive, sound 749,872 ft. $25,005 1933— First Six Months: Positive, sound 251,219 ft. 8,793 DISTRIBUTORS AND IMPORTERS LISBON Agencia Cinematografica H, Da Costa Ltda, Avenida da Liberdade 245 r/c Do. Coimbra Filmes, S. A. — Avenida Almirante Reis 44—30. Companhia Cinematografica de Portugal — Rua Eugenio dos Santos, 110 — 20. Filmes Castello Lopes, S.A.R.L. — Praca Marquez de Pombal — 6. Melo, Castelo Branco Ltda, Rua das Pedras Negras, 24 — 20. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Filmes Ltda — Rua Braam camp — 10 — 10 Esqo. Paramount Films S.A., Rua Braamcamp — 10 — 10 Do. Raul Lopes Freire, Praca dos Restauradores 35, s/i. Salm Levy Jor. & Ca — Rua dos Retrozeiros 107 — 20. Sociedade Geral de Filmes Ltda, Rua Alexandre Herculano, 21 r/c. Sociedade Universal de Super Filmes Ltda, Avenida da Liberdade 73 — 10 Esqo. Sonoro Filme Ltda, Rua Eugenio dos Santos, 110—20. Sociedade lberica de Construccoes Electricas Ltda, Praca Luiz de Camoes, 36 — 20, Do. Tobis Portugueza S.A.R.L. — Avenida da Liberdade 141—10. Puerto Rico Agitation — None. Censorship — None. Competition — 95 per cent American pictures shown. Copyright Relations — None. Production — None. Taxes — Heavy. Theaters — 101, of which 85 are wired. Eleven houses destroyed in a hurricane last year have not been rebuilt. DISTRIBUTORS AND IMPORTERS SAN JUAN Del Valle, Ojeda & Solteri, P. O. Box 173. Fox Film Corp., Allen 20. Marti, Rafael. Cristo 20. Medal Film Exchange, Luna St. No. 94. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer of P. R., Allen 8. Paramount Films of Porto Rico, Tanca 10 yi. United Artists. West Indies Film Co., Luna 68. Warner Bros., Allen 82. 1044