Year book of motion pictures (1925)

Although the results of this condition have not yet been strongly felt, the increase in the number of American distributors will surely bring about a change in foreign affairs because in some cases there will now be three or four separate American organizations distributing their own product in a certain territory where the combined product of these companies was previously handled by a single local distributor at a considerably lower cost of distribution. The prices asked by some of the producers for foreign rights are also out of proportion. Even the basis of seating capacity of theaters is improper for the establishment of reasonable prices for films in some foreign territory. Careful observers in Argentina, for example, have been con vinced that although a theater may be built to accommodate the Saturday and Sunday crowds, dining the week the theaters do almost no business because the general public there is not in the financial position to visit the theaters more than once or twice a week whereas it is known that in the States many families go to the "movies'" three and even four times weekly." The per capita wealth of many countries is not to be compared with that of the United States. From the reports of income taxes paid last year in the United States the money paid by only the three largest taxpayers would be sufficient to satisfy the entire yearly government budget of a couple of South American countries. — JACOBO GLUCKSMANN. MUST CULTIVATE INTERNATIONALISM It has been truthfully said that "the same thing looks different to everybody — it depends on where you sit." It is therefore surprising and noteworthy that all transat'antic travellers returning from Europe, whether thev be producers or distributors — whether they be affiliated with the big line companies or independent — whether European or American — all return with a unanimity of opinion regarding for eign conditions that is perhaps unique in motion picture annals. To summarize: Here is how marketing conditions stand at the end of the year 1924. England the backbone of the foreign market, has been literally and actually undermined through the price cutting methods of some of the largest American distributors who have their own renting agencies throughout the United Kingdom. The result is these very distributors are not getting the revenue for their product from the English market to which normally, they would be entitled, except for the large and expensive super features. On the Continent — generally speaking — conditions are not much better — the cry there too, is for stu pendous productions. The Latin-American countries continue to be steady, consistent buyers of all kinds of American pictures, and pay well, especially for outstanding pictures. The Orient— -particularly, Japan — through economic and industrial conditions are buying American films in limited quantities, but are ready to take on at all times, meritorious productions at good prices. Australia is still a fertile field for American pictures especially for those of the higher grade. The fault is not nearly so much with the conditions in the respective territories — but rather with the type of films that are being produced in this country. We have consistently contended that we Americans must adopt a wider viewpoint in the selection of the material for the production of our pictures. We excel in every branch in the making of pictures. We have the best directors, writers, photographers, actors, advertising methods, exploitation — in every branch of the production of pictures — American technique outclasses the world. MAX GLUCKSMANN HEAD OFFICE BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA LARGEST MOTION PICTURE DISTRIBUTOR AND EXHIBITOR THROUGHOUT ARGENTINA, CHILE, URUGUAY, PARAGUAY, PERU, BOLIVIA and ECUADOR INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR OF MOTION PICTURES Controlling Foreign Rights ON A NEW SERIES SIX PHIL GOLDSTONE PRODUCTIONS Address all offers to The New York Buying Office Max Qlucksmann 729 7th Avenue, New York City JACOBO GLUCKSMANN, Manager Cable Gluxman New York 662