Year book of motion pictures (1938)

cent of the total films shown are American, according to reliable reports. This figure covers only full length features. In spite of the fact that many more Rumanians know the French and German lanj^ua^es than Knplish. American films are well received and preferred above all others. Copyright Relations — Producers are protected from piracy since Rumania is a member of the International Copyright Union. Copyright reciprocity between Rumania and the United States was established by an agreement proclaimed by the President of the United States on May 14, 1928. .Vo changes occurred in 1937. Production — One feature length film was produced in Rumania during 1937. In addition the National Tourist Office produced a number of scenic shorts which aroused little interest. The Rumanian Government has endeavored to establish a local motion picture industry for more than ten years but in spite of governmental financial assistance these efforts have failed. In view of the impossibility of finding an export market for films with Rumanian dialogue, private capital has avoided investment in a local film industry and only the Government is interested in such a project. In 1934 a decree creating a National Cinematographic Fund was issued. Although collections since then are estimated to have exceeded 100 million lei ($700,000) nothing of importance has been realized. In 1936 the fund was transferred to the National Tourist Office which decided it could be expended to greater advantage in carrying on propaganda abroad. The only production equipment in the country is that of the National Tourist Office which is able to make only news reels and shorts. Whenever it is decided to make a feature length film, foreign equipment, usually Hungarian, or Austrian, is borrowed. The occasional film produced is not backed by sound companies but by free lancers. Funds are usually furnished by the husband or "friend" of the female lead. Naturally the technique of these rare undertakings does not compare in quality with that of American films. The predominating language of the country is Rumanian. Foreign films are not required to be "dubbed"' with Rumanian dialogue and several attempts so to dub films in 1935 proved to be unsatisfactory not justifying the expense. Taxation — Owners of motion picture theaters are constantly complaining that the spectacle taxes imposed on motion picture exhibitions are ruinous. Nevertheless one large new picture theater has been built in Bucharest during each of the past three years and another is projected for 1938. Spectacle taxes at present are as follows: 20 percent of gross as general tax for State 2 lei each admission for the aviation fund 2 lei each admission for the Ministry of Cults and Arts 1 leu each admission for the Social Assistance Fund 1 leu each admission for National Cinematog raphy Fund 2 lei each admission for the Municipality Total: 20 i»ercent of gross plus 8 lei per admission. The second-run theaters especially find these taxes high. In addition exhibitors pay taxes on their personal incomes and, like all other renters, 12 percent of their rent and other minor taxes which, in all, probably eat up another 5 percent of gross income. Some calculations show that taxes use up from 41 to 67 percent of gross receipts. This leaves between 33 and 59 percent to cover other expenses such as rental of film (between 30 and 50 percent of gross receipts after taxes have been deducted), rental of theater, electricity, salaries, fuel, repairs, advertising and amortizations of cost of equipment. In March 1937 the Bucharest exhibitors threatened to close all their theaters in order to dramatize the precariousness of their situation and secure relief by threatening a total drying up of this important revenue of the State. At the last moment they decided that cutting off their nose to spite their face was not the course of wisdom. The fiscal authorities have not capitulated in any way. Distributors, who are at the same time importers, are subject to a minimum payment of alKiut $940 per 100 kilograms for first copies and about $450 per 100 kilograms for additional copies. If a feature length picture weighed 20 kilograms (a high estimate), the import expenses then would be somewhat less than $200 for the first copy and about $90 for additional copies. Theaters — Throughout Rumania there are 325 theaters with a total seating capacity estimated at approximately 250,000. The average admission prices are : For first run picture houses in Bucharest; 58 lei (ai)proximately 41c) ; second run houses in Bucharest an«I first run houses in Provinces: 35 lei (approximately 25 cents). The films preferred are musical comedies, films with world famous stars, films with a historical background, love stories. Sound — -293, or about 90 percent of the theaters in Rumania are wired for sound. The theaters not yet wired for sound are small ones in places where the cost of the cheapest installation would not be justified, and only second-hand equipment would be purchased. Imports from the United States — 1936— Positive Sound 1,849,950 ft. $44,307 Negative Sound ft. 1937— (First 11 months) Positive Sound 1.589,414 ft. $33,765 Negative Sound 101,169 ft. 2,828 DISTRIBUTORS AND IMPORTERS BUCAREST Alfa-Film, Strada Poenaru Bordea 16. Arta-Film, Strada Izvor No. 2. M. Atias, Bulevard Elisabeta 15. Avia Film, Bui. Bratianu 9. Centuria-Film, Bui. Regele Alexandru 1 Nr. 3. Criterion-Film, Strada Izvor 2. J. Davidescu, Bui. Elisabeta 34. Excelsior Film, Strada Brezoianu Nr. 9. Gloria Film. Strada Anastase Simu 4. Imperator Film. Strada Blanari 11. Matador Film. Strada Schitu Magureanu 7. Mercur Film. Strada Sfintilor 13. .Metro-Goldwyn-Film. Strada Sf. Constantin 29. Meyer-Pan-Film. Strada Campineanu 48. Paramount Film. Strada Baratiei 2. Pathe Nathan. Strada Lucaci 6. Regal Film, Str. Schitu Magureanu 3. Rex Film, Str. Spiru Haret 4. Silvia Film, Strada Carol 88. Star Film, Bui. Elisabeta 12. Stifilm, Piata Cogalniceanu 8. Trianon Film, Bui. Elisabeta 3. Job No. D173— BARNES— Feb. 15— Sil Vesca Film, Strada Cobalcescu 41. Wandermax Film, Strada Mihai Voda 9. Warner Bros. -First .Xalional. Strada Doamnci 12. BRASOV Ero Film. ORADEA MARE Orient-Film. Metro-Gold wynFilm. Phoebus Film. TIMISOARA Favorit-Filni. Stv.T.i.i 1!: .it Mti;: 1 J. SOUTH AFRICA Legislation There arc no laws in South Africa which restrict or prohibit foreign exchange in any way. There are no quota restrictions on the importation of films nor are there any laws which give films produced by other countries preference over .\merican products. There has been no official notification nor is there any reason to believe that any quota or contingent laws are contemplated. The distribution of pictures is on a completely satisfactory basis and nothing in the 1201