The film daily year book of motion pictures (1937)

imposed titles on American films. Another interesting provision is that children under 16 years of age may attend only educational programs or programs of 'livening films specially approved for children. While the previous regulation re quired the exhibition of educational films only, prior to K P. M. every Sunday and holiday, this provision in fact has never heen respected because of the shortage of such films and the new regulation omits this requirement but provides that on Sundays, only educational films must be exhibited prior to 1 P. M. Authorization is granted to the film and not to the person presenting it. Once approved, a film keeps the authorization whoever is in possession of it. The authorization is granted for a period of three years from the date of issue. If it does not contain special restrictions for certain regions, it is good for the whole country. The validty of the authorization is subject to the careful observance of all details mentioned in the final decision of the Commission. Local distributors are complaining against the attitude of the censors toward certain categories of pictures, which, although of an amusing character, are always rejected. Films portraying gangsters, police and historical subjects unfavorable to the monarchical regime are refused authorization. Competition Approximately 80 per cent of the films shown are American. The balance are divided among German, French, British, Austrian and Russian films in the order given. Copyright Relations -Member of International Union, by Presidential Proclamation on May 14, 1928, President Coolidge issued a proclamation covering copyright reciprocity between the United States and Rumania. Xo change has occurred during 1936. Production -During 1936 there was no local production except for shorts and news reels issued by the National Tourist Office in a very irregular manner and of no outside interest. Similarly for the 1936-1937 season no production has been planned. The competent Rumanian authorities have tried, in the last 10 years, to establish a local film industry but in spite of all efforts and financial assistance obtained from the Government, the results have been nil. It is realized that the establishment of a national film industry would require large capital which, in view of the impossibility for exhibiting Rumanian pictures abroad on a commercial scale, would have to be supplied by the Government alone. In order to make possible the production of national pictures (at first educational pictures only), the Council of Ministers issued a Decree on May 18, 1934 (Monitorul Oficial May 18. 1934), establishing a so-called National Cinematography Fund. The local press and the cinematographic circles have often attacked the establishment and the management of this Fund. Although collections are estimated to have surpassed 70.000.000 lei, no real steps have been taken towards creating a national cinematographic industry. The annual revenue of this Fund is estimated at some 400,000,000 lei. The fact that on October 14, 1936. the management of this Fund was transferred to the National Tourist Office indicates that the Government has decided that the fund can be used by the Tourist Office for foreign propaganda work to better advantage than would be the case should a national motion picture industry be established. Taxes — Laws passed by the Parliament for establishing the Cinematography Fund provide a tax of 10 lei per meter for film passed by the Censor; 1 leu on each ticket of admission to a motion picture show and a tax of 2.40 lei per meter on films presented for censorship to cover the administrative expenses of the Board of Censors. Besides these taxes there is a tax of 1 leu for the Municipality and 2 lei for the Aviation Fund collected on each admission ticket. These taxes are looked on with great hostility by local importers and distributors, but their suppression could not be secured in spite of a very strong press campaign. It is generally believed that these taxes will never be used for the creation of a national industry. The taxes and expenses which have to be paid by motion picture exhibitors are as follows: 25 per cent of the gross receipts to the State. 25 to 40 per rent for film rentals. 10-12 per cent for publicity and administrative expenses. !_ leu from each admission ticket for the National Cinematography Fund. 2 lei from each ticket for Aviation and 1 leu per ticket for the Muni cipality. In addition, a tax varying from 2006000 lei per month must be paid for musical rights to the Rumanian Composers Association. Since December 1, 1935, according to the Del import and exchange regime, all imported merchandise is subject to a new 12 per cent ad valorem tax, which is to be collected together with the other existing duties at the point of entry. An increase in the turnover tax was also effected on December 1, 1935, by the adoption of new forms for determining average values. It raises the "established value" on films from 1500 lei per 100 kilograms to 2,300 lei at which rate the regular 12.50 per cent ad valorem turnover tax is also assessed. Theaters — There are in Rumania about 350 motion picture halls. 52 of which are located in Bucharest. Sound — Almost all motion picture halls are wired for sound. Imports from U. S. A. — 1935 —Positive Sound 1.520.842 ft. $30,183 Negative Sound 7,681 ft. 22^ 1936— (First 10 months) Positive Sound 1.505,160 ft. $36,766 Negative Sound — DISTRIBUTORS AND IMPORTERS BUCHAREST Arta Film, Str. Oteteleseanu 5. Astoria Film. Str. Brezoianu 9. Columbia Film. Bd. Eiisabeta. Europa Film, Lipscani 110. Filmus Film, Calea Victoriei, Pasagiul Imobiliara. Fox Film, Bd. Eiisabeta 12. Gaumont-Franco-Film-Aubert. Bd. Eiisabeta 34. Gondola Film. Calea Victoriei 2. International Film. Str. Brezoianu 9. Mercur Film, Str. Sfintilor 13. Metro Goldwyn F'ilm. Str. Sf. Constantin 29. Mia Film. Cobalcescu 2. Matador YUm. Str. Schitu Magureanu 7. Majestic Film. Bd. Eiisabeta 12. Mar Film. Str. Maicii Domnului. Nissim & Mero, Palatul Blank. Str. Doamnei. Nissa Film. Hotel Nissa. Bd. Eiisabeta 20. Oer Film, Bd. Eiisabeta 51. O.F.F.I.R. Str. Brezoianu 23. Paramount Film. Str. Baratiei 2. Pathe Natan, Str. Lucaci 6. Pan Film. Str. Campineanu 48. Pax Film. Calea Victoriei 44. Recom Film. Str. Coltei 1. Rex Film. Str. Spirit Haret 4. Romana Film. Piata Mihai Kogalniceanu 8. Silvia Film. Str. Carol 88. Star Film. Str. Enachita Vacarescu 36. Trianon Film. Bd. Eiisabeta 15. Union Film. Piata Cogalniceanu 8. United Artists Film. Str. Doamnei 12 bis. Urbis Film, Str. Poenaru Bordea 16. Vesca Film, Str. Cobalcescu 41. Wandermax Film. Str. Mihai Voda. Warner Bros. First National S.A.R., Str. Doamnei 12. BRASOV Concordia Film. F'ro Film. Matador Film. JASI Trianon Film, Cinema Trianon. ORADEA MARE Camara Film. Emericus Film. Metro Goldwyn Film. Phoebus Film. Warner Bros. First National, Fox Film. TIMISOARA Filmeentrala. Dr. Des Gabor, Str. Gorove 7. SOUTH AFRICA Legislation — There has been a complete absence of any legislation on films during the last year. Standards of entertainment are quite high, in fact the trade considers local standards well 1246