Year book of motion pictures (1936)

tered in Berlin alone, instead of Berlin and Munich, as formerly. Loutingent licenses are no longer sacrificed wlien films, to which they were appUed, are rejected by the censors. Competition — On the basis of official censor figures. 185 features were shown during the 1934/35 playing season, of which 104 were German, 40 American, and 41 "other foreign" films. During the previous season, the total was 221, including 117 German, 68 American, and 36 "other foreign" films. Thus, during 1934/35, foreign films accounted for 43.8 per cent of the total market supply as against 47.5 during the previous season. During the 1934/35 film season, 191 first-runs took place in Berlin, as against 203 during each of the previous two seasons. Of the 1934/35 total, 112 included films of German origin, 38 of American origin, and 41 of "other foreign" origin. As compared with the previous season, there was a decline of 11 in the German firstruns and of 15 in American. However, it is noteworthy that domestic product made up 58.6 per cent of the Berlin first-run market in 1934/35, American features 19.9 per cent, and "other foreign" product 21.5 per cent. Germany's annual need of standard feature films amounts to approximately 250. In consequence of both decreased domestic production and import difficulties, this normal need has not been satisfied since 1933. Copyright Relations — Expected Government action in this connection, which might seriously have changed the situation, failed to take place. Production — Production during the Past Two Years Length Number (in meters) 1933 1933 Long feature films 114 273,929 Short feature films 67 41,728 Educational films 1,618 538,457 (of which sound) Total of German films 1,799 854,114 1934 1934 Long feature films 129 314.345 Short feature films 55 35,574 Educational films 1,836 518.433 (of which sound) (28) (3.936) Total of German films 2,020 868,352 The number of film producers declined from 83 in 1928 to 49 in 1935, and the number of filrn distributors from 41 to 22 during the same period, this decrease being due partly to the 'elimination of non-Aryan firms. Production costs, though difficult to determine, are estimated to have reached $7,800,000 as against an estimated total of 7,400,000 during 1933. Although the number of feature films produced during 1935 is not greater than the number producd in_ 1934. production costs for the year 1935 are estimated at about $5,000,000 above the 1934 figure. During 1935, the average production cost of_ a feature film is said to have been approximately $160,000 as against $120,000 in 1934. In exceptional cases, however, especially if the film i? destined for export, production costs exceed even the amount of $300,000. Star salaries, in general._ do not exceed 20 percent of the total production costs. German fijm producers suffer from a lack of sufficient capital. In most cases, the producer himself has only a small part of the money necessary for the production of a new film. Even the means of the Film Credit Batik which is connected with the large German banks, are not sufficient to cover his need. The producer must, therefore, rely on the financial supnort of the distributors, who will, on their part, have to borrow some of the money required from the picture theater owners. Thus it happens that distributors, as well as film theater owners, have gained a tremendous influence over the production of films and selection of actors. The production costs average 100 RM for each meter of long feature film and 10 RM for each meter of cultural film. As the German film producers are working with borrowed capital to such a great extent, the rate of interest represents an iruportant calculation factor. In order to bring it to the lowest possible standard, the film companies are endeavoring to produce their films only a short time before they are to be first-run, i.e., at the beginning of the playing season. This, however, means an uneconomical utilization of the studios. According to professional estimates, German film producers will not become independent of distributors and theater owners, until they can increase their capital by at least 6,000,000 to 8,000,000 dollars. The turnover of distributors in 1934 amounted to $25,600,000 as compared with 22,100,000 in 1933. American production in Germany was practically nil, its efforts for the most part being confined to dubbing. Taxes — The different taxes imposed on a German film amount _ to approximately the same as the total production costs. The so-called amusement tax makes up about 15 percent of the entrance fee, and is generally absorbed by the film renter. For a film that has been qualified as "valuable from a cultural or political viewpoint," this tax may be lowered to 12 per cent or less, and may even be taken off entirely. In the 1934/35 playing season, box office receipts amounted to 210,000,000 and amusement tax to 16,000.000 RM. For the preceding year, the respective figures were 117,000,000 and 16,000,000 RM. Theaters — According to a statistical summary in the German Film Handbook for 1935/36 (Handbuch des Deutschen Films, 1935/36). there were 4,782 film theaters with a total of 1,808,265 seats in 2,519 communities of Germany, including Danzig and Memel, on March 31, 1935. Of these, 2,446 theaters with 1,234,968 seats were in daily operation, while 2,336 theaters with 573,297 seats were operating not on all days of the week. Of the 4,782 film theaters. 3,895 had a seating capacity of up to 500 persons. 719 theaters a capacity of from 510 to 1,000 persons, and 168 theaters such of more than 1000 persons. An official statement says that, at the end of the 1934/35 playing season, the number of picture theaters in Germany was 5,005. The cinemas operating every day generally have two performances on week days and three on Sundays. Thus, these theaters are able to receive about 900.000, nOO visitors a year. The number of visitors in 1934, however, was only 287.938.000 (246.958.000 in 1933) which means 86.3 persons per 1000 inhabitants each week (74.0 in 1933). Th" capacity of the German film theaters appears to he utilized to only about one third, in spite of the increase in the number of visitors. The number of persons employed in the film industry is estimated at 51.500. of which about 29.000 are employed in production, 3,500 in film distribution, importation and exportation, and 19 in picture theaters. The capital invested in Ger man film theaters is estimated at around $160.000.000. i e.. about $88 for every seat. Sound — In 1935. all but two cinemas were fitted with sound film apparatus, while in 1934 there were still 420 theaters without such provisions. Imports from U. S. A. — 1934 — Positive sound 1.168,982 ft. $3.'!. 300 Negative sound 186,244 ft. 4.109 1935 — (First 9 months) Positive sound 1,220.291 ft. $44,862 Negative sound 66,351 ft. 4,675 PRODUCERS A. B.C. Film G.m.b.H.. Berlin NW. 7, Unter den Linden 44. Aco-Film G.m.b.H.. Berlin SW. 68, Friedrichstr. 37. Alka-Film G.m.b.H., Berlin SW. 68, Friedrichstr. 13. . . Allgemeine Film-Aufnahme und Vertriebsges G.m. h H. "Algefafilm", Berlin W. 35, Schoneberger Ufer 43. Ariel-Film G.m.b.H., Berlin NW. 7, Unter den Linden 69. Arya-Film G.m.b.H., Miinchen 2 SW., Maximiliansplatz 9. Astra-Film Herstellungs-und Vertriebs-Ges.m.b.H., Berlin-Schmargendorf. Sulzaerstr 4. Atalanta-Film G.m.b.H., Berlin-Charlottenburg, Carmerstr 7. 1179