The film daily year book of motion pictures (1938)

at the close of 1933. The total seating capacity is 593,312 persons. Movie theater adm,ission prices vary from 1 Czechoslovak crown to 13.00 Czechoslovak crowns, with the average being about 4.00 crowns. Judged on the basis of audiences reaction and theater attendance it may be said that big star features, regardless of whether they are comedy or drama, are best liked. Taking several pictures all equally cast, motion picture distributors report the following order of preference (1) adventure pictures, (2) comedies, including musical comedies, (3) dramas. The gross income at all Czechoslovak cinemas in 1936 was estimated at 380,000,000 crowns. An accurate figure on the total investment in the local motion picture industry is not obtainable. Reliable observers place such investments at an estimate of 300,000,000 crowns divided about as follows: Production 30,000,000; distribution 50,000,000; exhibition 220,000,000. Sound — Of all theaters, 1608 were wired for sound, representing an increase of 265 since November 1, 1935, and leaving only 239 houses without sound equipment. The present potentialities of the market for sound equipment in silent theaters is therefore limited and confined to small units. Considerable American sound equipment is installed here, mostly on a rental basis. The outlook for new sales depends largely on replacements and possible new technical developments in the sound equipment field. Imports from the United States — 1936 — Positive Sound 1,946,244 ft. $39,336 Negative Sound 28,279 ft. 369 1937 — (First 11 months) Positive Sound 1,245,850 ft. $22,068 Negative Sound 31,002 ft. 411 DISTRIBUTORS AND IMPORTERS PRAGUE A-B Film Verleih, Prague-Barrendov. Accord Film, I., Revolucni 1. Amco Film, II., \^aclavske nam., palac Styblo. Arko Film, II., Stepanska 28. Beda Heller-Film, II., Stepanska 55, Dafa-Film, II., Vaclavske nam. 51. Degl a spol.. III., Tyrsuv dum, Elekta Film, II., Narodni 26. Esap Film, II., Upujcovny 1. Espo Film, II., Vaclavske nam. 23. Europa Film, I., ^Melantrichova 1. Fortunafilm, II., Vaclavske nam. 30. Fox-Film Corp., II., Poric 15. Futurum Film, XII., Vilimovska 6, Globus Film, II., U pujcovny 4. Gloria-Film, XII., Barthouova 20. Koruna Film /Columbia Pict./, II., Vaclavske nam. 1, Leo Film, II., U pujcovny 4. Franz Lepka Film, II., Vaclavske nam. 60, palac Fenix. Lloyd Film, II., Vodickova 6. Meissner Film, II., Palac Styblo, Vaclavske nam. Merkur Film, II., Vodickova 34. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, II., Vaclavske nam. palac Fenix. Metropolitan-Film /R.K.O./, II., Vaclavske nam. 47. Moldavia Film, II, Vaclavske nam. 49. National Film, II., Vaclavske nam. 51. Paramount Film, II., Stepanska ul. 35. P.D.C., II., Havlickovo nam. 24. Praha-Pariz, II., Vaclavske nam., palac Fenix. Primus Film, II., Zitna 29. Projektor Film, XVI., Zborovska 66. Reiter Film, II., Narodni 26. Ringler Film, II., Vaclavske nam. 60. Slavia Film, II., Vaclavske nam. 51. Ufa-Film, II., Vaclavske narn. 49, Lnited Artists, II., Vaclavske nam. 49, Universal Film, II., Vodickova 20. Wolfram Film, II., U pujcovny 4. AUSSIG a.d.E. Wolfram Film, Lindenstrasse 5, BRATISLAVA Redoute Film. BRUENN Bruna Film. Excelsior Film. Futurum Film, Na Piskach 18. Kinofilm. Legia Film, Na Piskach 18. Lloyd Film, Dvorakova 10. Meteor Film, Josefova 23. Monopol Film, Jakubska 1. Terra Film, Na hradbach 8. PRODUCERS PRAGUE A-B Film, Praha-Barrandov. Beda Heller-Film, II., Stepanska 55. Dafa Film, II., Vaclavske nam. 51. Elektra Film, II., Narodni 26. Favorit Film, Veletrzni tr. 200. Fortuna Film, II., Vaclavske nam. 30. Gloria Film, XII., Barthouova 20. Franz Lepka Film, II., Vaclavske nam. 60, palac Fenix. Lloyd Film, II., Vodickova 6. Lord Film, Vaclavske nam. 28/30 n, Luxor Film, II., Vaclavske nam. 51, palac Narod. Meissner Film, II., Palac Styblo, Vaclavske nam. Metropolitan Film, II., Vaclavske nam. 47, Moldavia Film, II,, Vaclavske nam. 49. National Film, II., Vaclavske nam. 51, P.D.C., II., Havlickovo nam. 24. Praha-Pariz, II., Vaclavske nam., palac Fenix. Reiter Film, II., Narodni 26. Slavia Film, II., Vaclavske nam. 51. Ufa Film, II., Vaclavske nam. 49. BRUENN Excelsior Film. Monopol Film, Jakubska 1. Terra Film, Na hradbach 8. DANZIG Legislation — On May 2, 1935, the Danzig gulden was devaluated by 42 percent. This was followed a short time afterwards by the introduction of a system for the control of foreign exchange transactions in the Free City, Persons in possession of foreign exchange, or coming into possession thereof, can dispose of it freely. However, before any importation can be made, a permit must be obtained from the Office for Supervising Foreign Exchange. Such a permit is obligatory whether payment is to be made in gulden or foreign exchange. For the purchase of foreign exchange with gulden, a permit is also necessary. There are no laws in Danzig giving other countries preference over American films. Since May 13, 1936, a technical prohibition on the importation of all goods into the DanzigPolish customs territory has been in force. In order to effect the entry of goods into Danzig, formal permission must be obtained, through the Danzig Chamber for Foreign Trade, from the Polish Ministry of Commerce, Warsaw, The principal factor determining the distribution of films in Danzig is that, according to those connected with the motion picture business in Danzig, all of the films shown in this city are rented from film exchanges in Germany, Therefore, the determining factor in the showing of films here is the policy adopted in Berlin. There are no film exchanges in Danzig nor are motion pictures produced here professionally. Censorship— There were 636 films censored during the year beginning September 30, 1936, and ending October 1, 1937, none of which were rejected. Since all the films corning to Danzig have been accepted previously in Germany, the censoring of films here is purely nominal. Competition — Of the 636 films shown in Danzig during the year (September 30, 1936, -October 1, 1937), 506 or 80 percent were German, 84 or 13 percent were American, 25 or approximately 4 percent were Austrian, and the rest were from other countries. Recently American films have been better received. During the quarter of July, August and September, 19'37, American films amounted to 18 percent of the total shown. No films are produced locally. Copyright Relations — The copyright laws and relations of Danzig are based on, and are similar to, those of Germany. Production — There is no production of films in Danzig, German is the predominant language of Dan 1198