The film daily year book of motion pictures (1938)

were sound and 52 (19,240 meters) silent films. Of the total films censored 3S (67,965 meters), or 4 percent of the total, were rejected. Of the total sound films licensed for production, 441 (42.3 percent) were American, 206 (19.8 percent) German, 67 (6.4 percent) French, 10 (0.9 percent) Italian, 23 (2.2 percent) British, 29 (2.8 percent) Austrian, 22 (2.1 percent) Scandinavian, and 245 (23.5 percent) Hungarian. According to the subjects of the films, 568 were sound feature films, 187 educational, 207 news reels, and 81 advertising films. Competition — Until 1936 there were scarcely any changes in Hungarian film statistics, imports having fluctuated only slightly. With the adoption of one-film shows by Hungarian theaters in the 1936 season, the showing of Hungarian films increased greatly and the importation of foreign films decreased. During the preceding season 1935/36 (August 1 to July 31) 235 films appeared on the market compared with 196 during the 1936/37 season. The decrease of 39 films resulted mainly from the smaller number of foreign films imported. American film imports decreased by 14 percent; British by 11 percent; and German by 18 percent. During 1936 twenty-nine films were produced in Hungary, including 4 films with German dialogue. It is estimated that Hungary will produce 35 Hungarian films during the present year. The decrease in the proportion of American films shown was caused principally by the development of the Hungarian film industry the products of which have practicallj eliminated American films from the provincial motion i)icture theaters. Copyright Relations — A special convention signed October 13. 1913, gives copyright protection. Production — There are two Government controlled studios producing films in Hungary. During 1936, the Hungarian Film Bureau (Magyar Film Iroda) produced 8 feature films (18.257 meters), 13 short films (4,316 meters) and 53 Hungarian news reels (14,400 meters), a total of 74 films (36,973 meters). Xo figures concerning the cost of production of films by the Hungarian Film Bureau are available. The Hunnia Film Studio produced 24 feature films averaging 2,500 meters, a total of 60,000 meters. Sixteen of the films produced were in Hungarian and German (total 4) and four in German only. The cost of production varied from 85,000 to 165,000 pengo per film. To expand domestic production, the producers of Hungarian films are allowed to use the Hunnia Studio free of charge provided the Hungarian Film Industry Fund accepts the theme, in which case the Film Industry Fund pays the Hunnia 40 pengo per (lay for the use of the Studio. Taxes — The amusement tax in first run motion picture houses in Budapest between October 1 and April 30 is 6 percent of the total receipts if the -eating capacity is over 400, and 5 percent if the seating capacity is under 400. Between May 1 and September 30th the amusement ta.x is 3 i)ercent in theaters of over 400 seating capacity, and 2 percent in theaters of less than 400 seating capacity. In motion picture theaters other than first-run houses, the tax is 5 i>ercent if the seating capacity is more than 600. and 4 percent if less than 600, from October 1st to April 30th; from May 1 to September 30th the tax is 2 percent regardless of the seating capacity. In the provinces the amusement tax varies from 5 to 15 percent. The additional turnover tax (national) is 3 percent. Theaters — There are 420 motion picture theaters in ojieration in Hungary. Sound — All 420 theaters are wired for sound. Imports from the United States — 1936 — Positive Sound 1,607.612 ft. $38,026 Negative Sound 32,487 ft. 455 1937— (First 11 months) Positive Sound 1.076.823 ft. $20,882 Negative Sound 81,274 ft. 2.8'50 DISTRIBUTORS AND IMPORTERS BUDAPEST Budapest Film k.f.t., Erz^^chci korut 8. Cinema Film, Erzsebet korut 8. Eco Film, Rakoczi ut 14. Elite Film, Erzsebet korut 24. Fox Film, 20th Century, Kakoczi ui Globus Film, Erzsebet korut 8. Harmonia Film, Akacfa u 7. Hehkon Film. Kokk Szilard u 24. Hirsch es Tsuk Film. Rakoczi ut 14. H. P. Film, Rakoczi ut 14. Karpat Film. Erzsebet korut 8. Kino Film, Rokk Szilard u 20. Lux Film, Erzsebet korut 8. Metro-GoldwynMayer, Sandor ter 3. Mozgokepipari k.f.t., Erzsebet korut 8. Miivesz Film. Rakoczi ut 40. Pap Film, Karoly korut 26. Paramount Film. Rakoczi ut 59. Patria Film, Erzsebet korut 8. Phobus Film, Erzsebet korut S. Reflektor Film. Sandor ter 4. Rex Film, Xepszinhaz u 12. Sonor Film, Erzsebet korut 8. Stylus Film. Erzsebet korut S. I'fa Film. Kossuth Lajos u 13. Unitas Film, Erzsebet korut 45. Universal Film, Xepszinhaz u 21. Vitagraph Film, Dohany u 68. Warner Bros. First National. I<.zsef korut INDIA Legislation — X'o legislation unfavorable to the motion picture industry in India was enacted in 1937. Thus far there are no laws prohibiting foreign exchange or any giving other countries preference over American films, neither are quota restrictions in effect or contemplated. Rumors of anything in the way of legislation, which might affect American distribution, are nil and with the present type of entertainment offered hv the American films, it is believed that it will require a great deal of agitation before such can attract much attention. Censorship — One thousand, two hundred eight American films, representing 60 percent of all films censored, were submitted during the period. Tanuarj 1 to October 31, for censorship, of which 7 were rejected and 1,005 feet were cut from a total of 10 films. Censorship remains verv strict. Competition — Indian films continue to be our greatest competitor, and during the first 10 months of this year America's participation in the 5,952,205 feet submitted was 46 percent. India's share 38 percent. Britain's 13 percent and the remainder to other foreign companies. Indian films are gaining in iKipularitv ; however, the majority of English speaking people l)refer American films in preference to domestic films. On the other hand more anti more Europeans are being attracted t<> Indian films. That such is due. in a sense to the novelty or newness of the industry, is a mailer of conjecture. Copyright Relations—Same as British Copyright Act. Production — There are no figures available on the number of Indian pictures produced during the year. However. 344 Indian films were offered for censorship during the first 10 months of this year. The production facilities of the Indian producers are on par with their standards, yet their facilities arc far below the standards maintained in America or England ami the technique on the whole does not compare with that of America. Theoretically there is no objection to American films being ••dubbed" in the native language, but such wouM not be practical as each province has its own language. However, the two principal languages, namely Hindi and IVdu are understood by a large percentage of the Indians, but on the whole it does not seem that any advantage could be gained from dubbing.