Year book of motion pictures (1925)

Not much improvement can be looked forward to in China due generally to unsettled conditions and the fact that motion picture theaters are few and confined almost exclusively to seaport cities. The motion picture has not yet made any impression upon the vast population of the Chinese interior. Conditions in India remain about the same. There is no serious effort being made there to vigorously prosecute the advancement of the motion picture nor is there anything on the horizon to indicate other than next year will he about the same at last. Not much can be expected from the Dutch East Indies as that part of the world is in a serious depression due in a large measure to taxation and the lack of any serious commercial development being undertaken commercially by the Homeland Holland. Australia is alive, progressive and on the upwaril trend in every way, and it is my belief that the motion picture business is in a healthier copdi tion in Australia than any other counrty of the world outside of the United States. This should continue, because the Australian showman is alive, progressive and up-to-date. The country is practically undeveloped on account of the vast wealth and expanse of the country remaining yet to be touched, but despite that, the motion picture has reached the highest stage of development throughout all of Australasia. South America falls into two principal classifications— Brazil and the Argentine. The Brazilian territory should slightly improve. There are some very fine theaters being built in Brazil, mainly by Francisco Serrador, who is the leading exhibitor and distributor there, and the operation of these theaters on up-to-date American lines will naturally have a healthy general effect upon the industry. Conditions in the Argentine are stagnant and there is nothing to my knowledge being done by any of the factors of the industry there that spells advancement. Mexico, during the past year, has considerably improved and will continue to improve as long as political conditions remain stabilized. It will thus be seen from the foregoing detailed summary of the world as a whole, that generally speaking, with the exception of the Dutch East Indies, none of the countries indicate any marked retrogression while most of the important ones hold forth possibilities for improvement, so that we feel pustified in saying that on the whole, motion picture conditions in foreign territories will improve this coming year. — E. BRUCE JOHNSON, Asso First Nat'l Pictures. BANNER YEAR IN SIGHT FOR EXPORT TRADE It is my belief that the export business of the leading motion picture companies engaged in the production and distribution of high grade pictures is facing a year of the greatest prosperity ever known in the industry. Already there are numerous signs pointing to a steady and consistent growth in the foreign business of the American industry during the year 1925. I have never felt so encouraged over the prospects for the future, and since my return from a visit of nearly four months to Europe I have received even more convincing evidence of better days to come from all parts of the world. The greatest need of the European industry is more first class theaters, and I am happy to state that steps have already been taken to realize this need. The new Plaza in London will be ready early in 1925, and the opening of this beautiful theater will be an event which should affect most favorably all export interests engaged in the picture business throughout Europe and greatly stimulate other theater building. The proper exploitation and presentation of the best American pictures will greatly enhance the reputation of American producers with the European public. Europe today stands in need of one hundred first class theaters in the larger cities and, of course, hundreds of others will be required for JOHN H. TAYLOR Prtlident Treasurer London — Paris — Berlin J. H. HOFFBERG I'he-Prtiidtnt 5r Central Managtr Cable Address: TAYLOR FILM N. Y. JOHN H . TAYLOR FILM CORP 220 WEST 42nd STREET NEW YORK Exclusive Foreign Distributors Edith Thornton Society Dramas Chas. Hutchison Stunt Pictures Leo Maloney Western Melodramas Neal Hart Outdoor Dramas Pete Morrison Western C omedy Dramas Jimmy Aubrey Comedies Christie Comedies Bray Productions Mark Dittenfass Productions Arrow Productions for United Kingdom France Holland Belgium Switzerland Spain-Portugal Italy 060