Year book of motion pictures (1938)

DISTRIBUTORS AND IMPORTERS STOCKHOLM Alba-Film, Humlegardsgatan 8. Allfilm, A.-B., Drottninggatan 10. Anglo-Film, A.-B., Regeringsgatan 109. Columbia Film, A.-B., Kungsgatan 48. Europa Film, A.-B., Kungsgatan 24. Filmdepoten, Drottninggatan 10. Film-Victoria, Vasagatan 9. Fox Film, A.-B., Kungsgatan 37. Fribergs, Filmbyra, A.-B., Malmskillnadsgatan 39. Internationalfilm, Kungsgatan 33. Irefilm, A.-B., Kungsgatan 10. LeMat-Metro-Goldwyn, Film A.-B., Kungsgatan 65. Xationalfilm, A.-B., Kungsgatan 44. Nordisk Tonefilm, Svenska A.-B., Kungsgatan 33. Xordlys Film, A.-B., Kungsgatan 7. Paramount, Film A.-B., Hamngatan 22. Ri-Film, Kungsgatan 17. RKO Radio Film, A.-B., Vasagatan 16. Rosenbergs Filmbyra, Oscar, Kungsgatan 44. Svea Film, A.-B., Kungsgatan 29. Svensk Filmindustri, A.-B., Kungsgatan 36. Svensk Talfilms Distributionsbyra, A.B., Drottninggatan 47. Sveriges Biografagares Distributionsbyra, A.-B., Kungsgatan 29'. United Artists, A.-B., Kungsgatan 13. Universal Film Aktiebolag, Kungsgatan 7. Warner Bros. -First National, Film A.-B., Kungsgatan 44. Wivefilm, A.-B., Drottninggatan 47. PRODUCERS STOCKHOLM Anglo-Film, A.-B., Regeringsgatan 109. Europa Film, A.-B., Kungsgatan 24. Fribergs Filmbyra, A.-B., Malmskillnadsgatan 39. Irefilm, A.-B., Kungsgatan 10. Xordisk Tonefilm, Svenska A.-B., Kungsgatan 33. Skandinaviska Biograf A.-B., Drottninggatan 66. Stockholm Film, A.-B., Kungsgatan 44. Svensk Filmindustri, A.-B., Kungsgatan 36. Svensk Talfilms Distributionsbyra, A.-B,, Drottninggatan 47. Sveriges Biografagares Distributionsbyra, A.-B., Kungsgatan 29. Wivefilm, Drottninggatan 47. SWITZERLAND Legislation — There are no laws giving other countries preference over American films and foreign exchange is not restricted. Quota or contingent laws are not in effect. With the establishment of the proposed Film Chamber, however, a system regulating imports of foreign films may be established. Definite information on this point is not available at this time. There is no legislation tending to reduce or prevent American distribution of motion pictures. Censorship — Censorship comes within the jurisdiction of the 25 Cantons and half Cantons comprising the Swiss Confederation, and statistics on censored films are not available for all Switzerland. The film rental agencies usually know in advance whether or not a certain film wall be passed by the censor in the respective Cantons. Xo figures on the number of rejected films are available. It is understood, however, that in 1936 only five films were prohibited in all the Cantons ; of these three were of a political nature of Russian origin, and two American gangster films. In the various Cantons the number of rejected films is considerably higher. The censorship laws vary widely in the various Cantons ; they are applied more liberally in the larger cities than in the rural Cantons. Competition — ^The chief competitors of American films are German and French, In 1935, 53 percent of the imported films on the basis of titles was of American origin. As there is practically no domestic production of full length films, Switzerland is dependent on foreign products. On the whole, American films are well received in this country. The political tendency of certain films produced by the Government-controlled film industry in Germany tends to encourage the importation of American films. Copyright Relations — The convention adhered to on June 14, 1934, between the "Societe des Auteurs, Compositeurs et Editeurs _ de Musique," Paris, and representatives of Swiss cinemas, continues in force. The convention is retroactive to July 1, 1933. Production — It is understood that three full length films and a considerably larger number of short films were produced thus far in 1937. The amount of capital invested by producing and distributing firms is not known. Up to now film producers have not been subsidized by the Government, though certain short educational and propaganda films have benefited indirectly from Government subsidies to organizations which sponsored their production. Production facilities are adequate for short films only. Full length feature films are produced usually in collaboration with foreign firms. Except for short films there is practically no film industry in this country. The copying studios in this country are suitable for production on a small scale only. There is no copying studio in Switzerland for full length feature films. The technique of the domestic short films compares favorably with that of American films. There is no objection to American films dubbed in the native language and the predominant languages in Switzerland are German, French, and Italian. Taxes — Motion pictures are taxed on the same basis as other businesses. In some Cantons taxes are levied on income only, in others on capital only, while in certain Cantons taxes are levied on both income and capital. In addition, motion picture theaters are subject to an amusement tax. Distributors are subject to the same taxes as theaters. Xo taxes are imposed on imports apart from the regular duty. Theaters — At present there are 354 motion picture theaters in Switzerland. The combined seating capacity of these theaters is 133,000. Admission prices are Frs. 1, 1.50, 2, and 3 plus an amusement tax which varies in the different Cantons; the rate is usually 10 to 15 percent. Most of the tickets sold are in the 1.50 and 2 francs class. Tastes of Swiss theater-goers diflfer in the various language sections of the country. It is therefore difficult to determine the preferences for any one type of film. Musical comedies, detective stories, and tales of adventure usually attract large audiences. The yearly gross income of motion picture theaters is approximately 28 million francs and the capital invested in motion picture theaters is estimated at 34,500,000 francs. Sound — There are 354 theaters wired for soutid. The prospects of selling American sound equipment in this country are decidedly unfavorable. On the basis of an agreement between the German syndicate of manufacturers of such equipment and American interests the Swiss market is closed to American products. Imports from the United States — 1936— Positive Sound 1,186,872 ft. $22,188 Xegative Sound 1,380 ft. 138 1937 — (First 11 months) Positive Sound 888,858 ft. $18,656 Negative Sound ft. DISTRIBUTORS AND IMPORTERS Eos-Film Aktiengesellschaft, Reichensteinerstr. 14, Basel. Alfa-Film, Effingerstr. 29, Bern. Cinevox S.A., Haus Capitol, Bern. Radio-Cine S.A., Gurtengasse 6, Bern. Schweiz. Schul & Volkskino, Erlachstrasse 21, Bern. Charriere-Bourquin Films, 6, Passage d. Lions, Geneve. Comptoir Cinematogr. S.A., 4, rue Pradier, Geneve. 1264