Kinematograph year book (1948)

50 The Kinematograph Year Book. Trade Statistics The following statistics are derived from official records and other authentic sources. Kinemas Estimated number of kinemas : 4,700. Average capacity about: 900 — -1,000. There is one kinema seat for every 10 persons of population. Some 2,000 of Britain's kinemas are regarded as first-run houses. Attendances Peak war attendance at kinemas 31,000,000 weekly. Average admissions — 1 ,460,250,000 —value ^109,078,750. Weeklv admissions ■ — (estimated to March, 1947)— 28,081,000. Seasonable attendance fluctuation now estimated at from 25 to 28 millions weekly. Average seat range— 6d. to 2/6d. Average seat price — l/9d. Revenue Box office revenue — British films ^21,815,750. American films ^87,253,000. It is estimated that circuit revenues approximate to from J to \ of the total kinema revenues. British films occupy approximately 20 per cent of screen time. The pulling power of British films in British kinemas is illustrated by Odeon statistics which show that whereas a British film in 1943 brought in average operating week takings per theatre of ^506, a foreign film brought in ^571. From that year there has been a steady improvement as follows : — Year British Foreign £ £ 1943 506 571 1944 536 580 1945 553 566 1946 741 627 1947 694 583 Remittances to U.S. in respect of U.S. film rentals : 1939— ^7,000,000. 1946— ^17,000,000. It is estimated that one-sixth of receipts in Great Britain were remitted to America before the imposition of the 75 per cent. ad valorem duty. Major Circuits Strength of the three major circuits is as follows : A.B.C. & Union. (A.B.P.C.) 442. G.B. 248. * Odeon 317. 1,007. First run houses — in London area estimated at about 300 of which the circuits own two-thirds, 200. There are almost 860 major circuit houses in the provinces. About 25 per cent, of the circuit box office takings are earned in the London area. Analysis of Attendances Government survey of attendances (Sept. 1947) establishes that :— Young people attend kinemas more frequently than do elderly folk, the lower economic groups are more regular and indiscriminate patronage. 27 per cent of British adults never go to a kinema. Professional classes are only occasional patrons, selecting their entertainment. They represent 5 per cent of attendances. Manual workers represent 37 per cent and clerical and distributive classes 14 per cent. Housewives who represent 41 per cent of the population form 38^ per cent of kinema patronage. *The Odeon Group has 725 controlled theatres outside U.K.