Year book of motion pictures (1925)

CONDITIONS SHOW IMPROVEMENT Taking into consideration all the facts of the general outlook of the foreign market today in comparison to last year, one may say that conditions for American films have improved. From a production point of view in Germany and England, careful observance will show that production in these countries lias been cut considerably. The output in Europe has decreased since 1922 by almost eighty per cent. For instance, out ot 351 producers in Germany during the year 1922, no less than 220 have dropped out during the year 1923. This, of course, is accounted for partly by the serious competition of American made films which are far superior in quality to anything that can be made on the other side, as well as the increased cost of production. To cover this increase, a greater sales outlook had to be obtained. In other words, the European producer had to find a market for his films outside the Continent of Europe to cover his increased production cost and thus give better quality pictures in order to be able to compete with the American producer. This, of course, necessitated very careful consideration of the American market. European producers look with longing eyes upon our lucrative field and arc concocting all kinds of schemes to break in and get at least some money out of the United States. As matters stand today, however, the general run of European features are not suitable for the American market and cannot be classed at all as competitive. With the exception of one or two outstanding productions, the American taste does not desire pictures of a foreign type. This has resulted in the formation of various combines in Europe as a retaliatory measure for the purpose of keeping out American productions, one result the "Kontingent" in Germany which restricts the importation of foreign made films This "Kontingent" is a very heavy burden inasmuch as the permit to import is sold over and over again, each time at a profit, and eventually may cost as much if not more than the royalty paid for that particular picture. This is a very heavy blow to tin American exporter inasmuch as the German distributor will only usi up his "Kontingent" on pictures of the highest calibre and will not waste it on an ordinary program picture. Germany, of course, is the most valuable of all the Continental European territories maintaining more than 3,000 motion picture houses. The situation in the United Kingdom is slightly better. It is, however, very difficult to get more than the standard price for the ordinary picture of the independent market but outstanding productions with a good dramatic value are easily salable at good prices. In the independent market, however, these outstanding features are few and far between. In such countries as France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and Italy, there is not only a lack of ready money but an intense lack of modern motion picture theaters and modern methods of exploi tation. In parts of Scandinavia, again, there are close restrictions on the building of theaters, and in Denmark general business conditions are also very unsatisfactory. Russia, despite many optimistic reports spread by American film people who went to Berlin for a few weeks to investigate conditions, is as yet to all intents and purposes, a closed market for our films. This is chiefly due to the fact that the Soviet government exercises a dominating monopoly over the film business and does not desire to do business with American concerns chiefly because of the American government s refusal to recognize the Soviet government in Russia. All things considered, there is very little demand in Europe for cheap program pictures and productions must be of outstanding merit to find a market worth while. From all angles, the situation on the Continent is still a very difficult one and not anvwhere near normal.—LACY W. KASTXER, Inter Ocean Film Corp. ROY CHANDLER. Prti. H. H. CHIPMAN. J'Ue-Pr, J. E. KREH. JR.. Sit?) and Trims j CHIPMAN PICTURES CORPORATION i i i CODES USED : A. B. C. 5th Edition Bentley's Western Union Sydney Wellington Melbourne 33 West 42nd Street AEOLIAN BUILDING NEW YORK Phone PENNSYLVANIA 8526 AND AT Havana San Juan, P. R. San Domingo, R. D. CABLE ADDRESSES: "Chipicts" New York "Chipman" Sydney "Chipton" Wellington "Chipicts" Havana "Chipirts" San Juan "Chipman" Bs. Aires Buenos Aires Caracas Rio De Janeiro EXPORT, FOREIGN EXPLOITATION and DISTRIBUTION of MOTION PICTURES REFERF.NC E S— N ATIONAL CITY BANK OF N E W YORK. i.UARANTY TRUST CO. of NEW YORK 666