Motion Picture News (Jan - Mar 1930)

68 Motion Picture News February 8, 1930 World's Theatres Now Total 58,143; Europe Leads All Areas with 27,379 Same Old Total of 20,500 Used for U. S. Exhibition Industry In Govt. Survey — Latin America Jumps to 3rd Place MOTION PICTURE THEATERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD 1929 THOUSANDS OF THEATERS i££3i| MOTION PICTURE. Tt EATERS 1929 The far east Total number of motion picture theatres throughout the world at the end of 1929 reached 58,143, the M. P. Division of the U. S. Dept. of Commerce estimates. The figure shows an increase over 1928 of only 802 houses. In the preceding year, the total was estimated at 57,341. The comparatively slight jump in the theatre total for all countries is attributable to the chaotic reactionary movements influenced to a great extent by sound, coupled with quota legislation in many lands. Again, Europe heads all geographical divisions, listing 27,379 houses, as compared with 27,338 a year ago. United States is second with 20,500. The latter figure is probably inaccurate, inasmuch as it is the same total used by the industry for the past several years. The Hays organization compiled a hst of theatres about five years ago, arriving at the total of 20,500, and this figure has not been changed since then. All countries of Latin America combined have 3,981 theatres showing films. Last year, the figure was 3,733. Fourth in line is the Far East, in which 3,976 are operated, a decrease of 91 under 1928, when that territorial division listed approximately 3,885. Canada is fifth, with 1,100. This figure also represents a repetition of other years. Africa comes sixth, having 755, a jump of 115 over 1928, while theatres in the Near East, according to government estimates, sliowed a marked decrease, from 145 in 1928 to 52 in 1929. '"RENCH INOO Cm MOTION PICTURE THEATERS IN ~ 1919 LATIN AMERICA Er ..UMetn or TWLATCnS 1 ) MM ^^^ .>. It (•'»)• J35? T" COkOUfli* ^^^> WMVI^Oar HB"* »0«ro Mrco S.'.V MLVADOn ■•• B«.T.S« wtAT iwWC! 1" oo«i«it*« »^»^»^..c 1* •■• au«''CM*i.A ■•• CCU*DO«< MiC«nA&i;A noi.iv<* ■•• P*(«AOU*v C05'* mC* i> ORir.^« Crt^.n-,* Htru nt^T incuts tu,.'<%u MO-.OWRA.5 ' • ""*'r":.~r~. 1 In Germany, 5,266 theatres were operating at the end of 1929. She stands far and away in the lead of all European countries, topping the United Kingdom by considerable numbers. France is third, an appreciable number under both Germany and England. Italy, which has a narrow margin over Russia and Spain for fourth place, is far below the leader. Russia and Spain as the diagram shows, run almost neck and neck for fifth place, Russia taking the lead by a very narrow margin. Gibraltar At The Bottom Czchoslovakia and Sweden go into a neartie for seventh place, the first taking it by a neck. Gibraltar takes the consolation prize, being placed at the bottom of the list of European countries, and separate domains. Latin America is undoubtedly governed in the theatre field by Brazil, far and away, in the lead. Its nearest competitor, Mexico, has less than half of Brazil's total. The Argentine takes third place, with Cuba and Chili following in the order named. With Peru disposed of in tenth place the percentage begins to dwindle to less than 50 theatres in .Salvador. Hritisli Honduras is MOTIO s Picture theaters (n Europe I -I9S9 ■.OM««or ,-,.^«s 1 I ..^ .^o ,ooo *«>o ,ooo I kj-. 'to wooo'" ^^^^ roAMCC S*"^^ -» V *'iK>uitn ^ SOAM ~ AjSTOi* 5W.TI£«l.AK0 Gncecc PORTUGAL CANARy .5LANOS *zo«cs OAMIlG f:: placed at the tail end of the division with one lone theatre. Haiti has nine. Brazil and Mexico hold the balance of power over all other Latin-American countries in the theatre field. Afrita and Near East South Africa stands out in this division like a Babe Ruth in baseball. It is interesting to note Egypt's position. Egypt takes third place but a very poor third with less than 100 theatres to hei credit. Compare this situation with her supremacv at the time of Anthony and CI°opatra and the vast difiference is appreciated. Palestine presents another surprise, with less than 20 theatres. Persia falls below Palestine. Second place is given here to Morocco. Tunis, Algeria and the French colonies. Their theatres combined are needed to give this large area a poor second to South Africa. Persia Lags Behind In all Persia there are only 10 theatres, a surprising bit of information when it is remembered that Persia in ancient times held almost unlimited sway over a great part of Asia. With the advent of sound and the general trend toward producing pictures in various versions taking in the principal tongues of the world it may be expected that the countries now showing a small number of theatres will, when the next survey is made five years hence, or later, have increased their quota an appreciable amount. MOTION PICTURE THEATERS IN AFRICA AND NEAR EAST 1929 , *fRlC*(Mni.o«C' EAST AfRiC MAOAGASC* SYRIA PALtSTi PERSIA IRAQ UMBLR OF TM