Film year book (1928)

Film A. B. Le Mat-Metro-Goldwyn, Kungsgatan 65. Filmaktiebolaget Liberty, Kungsgatan 13. Filmakeiebolaget P. D. C, Kungsgatan 30. Filmaktiebolaget Tule, Kungsgatan 33. Filmbyran Tre Konor, Kunsgatan 33. Rosenbergs Filmbyra, Oscar, Drottninggatan 10. Terra Film, Kungsgatan 29. Universal Film A. B., Kungsgatan 7. SWITZERLAND Agitation — None. Censorship — National ; severe. Competition — 60% American; Germany 30% and increasing her distribution yearly. Copyright Relations — Established by Presidential Proclamation July 1, 1891, extended April 9, 1910, and Nov. 20, 1924. Production — Local ; scenics and educationals. Taxes — 'Moderate. Theaters — 258; 106 exhibit daily; 149 two or more times a week and 30 occasionally. Total capacity 70.000. Zurich, 14; Geneva, 11; Basel, 10. Imports from U. IS. A. — 1923— 290 000 ft.; value $10,000. 1924— 490.000 ft.; value $15,000. 1925— 1.100,000 ft.; value $30,000. 1926— 1,472,824 ft.; value $35,015. 1927— 554,683 ft.; value $12,286. Exports to U. S. A. — 1923— 15.000 ft.; value $ 1,800. 1924 — 44,000 ft. ; value $38,000. 1925— 4,000 ft.; value $ 600. 1926— 14,045 ft.; value $ 2.740. 1927— 10,069 ft.; value $ 3,476. General — Competition among distributors in Switzerland— there are some 50 in the country — is so keen that some exchanges hardly earn expenses. In view of its impending expansion the business in Switzerland is believed to be fairly certain to to enter gradually into more satisfactory channels. For the purpose of protecting the general interests of theaters an organization has been formed under the name of Schweizer Lichtspieltheater Verband. German films have entered prominently into the Swiss field. American films, however, still hold a 60 per cent share in the Swiss market, as against about 85 per cent two years ago. Hitherto theater business in Switzerland has not displayed any marked enterprise. But in Zurich six new houses will be built, which will mean over 15,000 seats as against the present 8,000. DISTRIBUTORS AND IMPORTERS BASEL Eos Fi'm (R. Rosenthal) Paramount, Rheingasse 35. Mont Blanc Film A.G., Margarethenstr. 14. Olympia Films (T. Georgopoulos) , Schneidergasse 5. BERNE Cine Film S.A., Amtsgasse 1. Tosca Films, Elisabethenstr. 28. _ GENEVA Agence Generate Cinematographique, rue du Commerce. Artistic Films, rue Levrier 15. Artistes Associes S.A., (United Artists-) rue de la Confederation 3. Rourquin Films, rue Rothschild 11. Consortium Films, Ace Vendt, 6. Etpan Films, rue du Marche 9. Film d'Art et d'Historie, rue du Phone 36. Fox Film S.A., rue de la Croix d'Or 12. Gaumont-Metro-Goldwyn S.A.. Bd. du Theatre 12. Majestic Fi'ms, rue Pierre Fatio 5. Monopole Pathe Film S. A., rue de la Rotisferie 4. Pandora Film, rue du Marche 9. S. A. Cinematographique, Editeurs Associes, rue du Prince 11. Ste. Suisse des Films P. DC, Passage des Lions 6. ZURICH Alpen Film, Schonbuhlstr. 21. Embe Film (Paul Meyer), Carmenstr. 24. Emelka FMm, Lowenstr. 31. FBO, Gerbergasse 5. First National. Stampfenbachstr. 69. Iris Film, Weinbergstr. 31. Leo Film, Stampfenbachstr. 69. Monopol Films A.G., Toedistr. 61. Nordisk Film Co., A.G., Bahnhofquai 7. Praesens Film A.G., Weinbergstr. 11. Promentheus Film, Limmatquai 34. Zucker, Ernest, Lowenstr. 1. SYRIA Agitation — None. Censorship — By order of the French High Commissioner. Films injurious to French prestige are rejected ; also films hurting local feelings with reference to religion or otherwise. Scenes showing attacks on police, revolutions or crimes eliminated. Competition — 75% American. Syria forms a distribution unity with Egypt and Palestine. Copyright Relations — Member of the Convention of Berne. Same as France. Production — None. Taxes — Moderate but too heavy considering small possibilities of the territory. Theaters — 15. Beirut, 6; Damascus. 5. Imports from U. S. A. — 1926—76,350 ft.; value $1,032. Exports to U. S. A. — None. TUNIS See North Africa, paqe 972 TURKEY IN EUROPE Agitation — A monoply in importation has been submitted to the Grand National Assembly for the benefit of the Turkish Aviation League. No protection against piracy of American films. Censorship — Local. The Angora Judicial Commission of the National Assembly at Constantinople has approved a law forbidding people under 18 to frequent theaters. Films touching Mohamedan religion and Moslem habits undergo a severe censor. Since the fez has been abolished, no Turk may be shown in pictures with a fez. Competition — 40% American first run; 25% Acnercan adventure stuff; 25% German; 20% French. Copyright Relations — Through the Peace Treaty of Lausanne, Turkey adhered to the Convention of Berne. Production — Kemalfilm has produced five or six pic tures. Some news weeklies made. Taxes — High. State and Municipal taxes. A flat tax of 6% paid once on all merchandise at the time that it is cleared through the customs has been passed. Theaters — About 60; Constantinople, 20. Imports from U. S. A. — 1924 — 2,800 ft.; value $570. 1925 — 1,500 ft.; value $70. 1926— 643,414 ft.; value $16,752. 1927— 499.425 ft.; value $10,240. Exports to U. S. A. — 1924 — 1,800 ft.; value $200. 1926— 897 ft.; value $135. 1927 — 2,500 ft.; value $700. TURKEY IN ASIA Imports from U. S. A. — 1926—10,000 ft.; value $1,100. Exports to U. S. A. — \one. General — The percentage of American films shown in Turkey as compared with other countries has gone up considerably. Oversupply of American film? has had a bad influence on prices. The American firms established in Turkey reduced prices to eet films into circulation, and the local importer had to follow this policy in order to get revenue on his pictures. Business would probably be more sane and would guarantee profits for all concerned, if importers would limit releases, pick out the most suitable pictures for the market. The cost including custom duties, local titles etc. of unsuitable product eat up the profit made on films that go well. DISTRIBUTORS CONSTANTINOPLE Dimboglou, C, Buyuk Kinadjian Han, 41, Fanamet, Grande rue de Pera, 303. Grabowsky, G., Grande rue de Pera 83. Habib, S„ Galata, Eski Posta Han 12-13. Kemal Film, Sirkedji Palace. Nisto Film, Afion Han, Sirkedji. Schoham, O., Tunnel Han. rue Caranfil. Pera. 981