The motion picture almanac (1932)

THE INDUSTRY IN EPITOME Attendance weekly in the United States 6 5,000,000 to 90,000,000 Approximate world attendance weekly 18 5,000,000 Gross annual admissions in the United States $1,15 4,000,000 World capital investment in the industry $2,500,000,000 Investment in the United States $2,000,000,000 New investment in the United States due to sound $200,000,000 Value of production properties in Hollywood $2 5,396,680 Studio capital investment $93,920,000 Production cost for 193 1-32 $180,000,000 Production volume in United States compared with world production Estimated by volume 65 per cent Estimated by value 8 5 per cent Estimated total employed in the industry in the United States 276,000 a. In production 27,000 b. In distribution 9,000 c. In theatres 240,000 Extras placed at Central Casting Corporation in Hollywood (11 months) 177,523 Annual Hollywood payroll $76,500,000 Weekly payroll $1,472,000 World annual advertising expenditure (latest survey in early 1931) $100,000,000 a. Expenditure in the United States $70,000,000 aa. Newspapers, magazines, etc $55,000,000 bb. Billboards $10,000,000 cc. Accessories $5,000,000 b. Expenditures in other parts of the world $30,000,000 Number of advertisements placed daily in various media 15,000 Total motion picture theatres in the United States 20,100 Total seating capacity 10,767,411 Theatres operating 14,750 Theatres dark at the end of 193 1 5,339 Sound-equipped theatres (total) 13,223 Sound-equipped operating 11,641 Sound-equipped dark 1,582 Silent theatres (total) : 5,295 Silent theatres operating 1,538 Silent theatres dark 3,757 Type of sound equipment — sound-on-film, disc, or both Number of theatres with sound-on-film only 6,434 Disc only 3,609 Both sound-on-film and disc 4,898 Four-Year increase of sound-equipping, United States and Canada End of 1928, total wired and unwired 21,000 End of 1929: wired 9,350 (Av. capacity, 1,200) End of 1930: wired 13,780 (Av. capacity, 800) End of 1931: wired 13,998 (Av. capacity, 750) Approximate annual decrease of silent theatres, United States and Canada End of 1928.. 20,000 (Av. capacity, 900) End of 1929 12,650 (Av. capacity, 630) End of 193 0 8,320 (Av. capacity, 600) End of 193 1 5,595 (Av. capacity, 560) New theatres constructed in 1931, estimated 600 Total expenditure in theatre construction in 1929, 1930, 1931 $306,139,000 In 1929 $163,559,000 In 1930 $97,580,000 In 1931 (approximated) $45,000,000 Approximate amount of film manufactured and used annually, linear feet 6,000,000,000 Exports of photographic and projection goods in 1931 $20,138,509 Exports of photographic and projection goods in 1930 $29,476,942 Number of 3 5 mm. motion picture projectors in 1931 1,767 Number of 3 5 mm. motion picture projectors in 1930 • 2,160 Number less than 35 mm. projectors in 1931 2,701 Number less than 3 5 mm. projectors in 1930 1,634 Motion picture sound equipment in 1931 $3,864,316 Motion picture sound equipment in 1930 $7,736,059 Motion picture film, sensitized, not exposed in 1931 $2,322,647 Motion picture film, sensitized, not exposed in 1930 $1,920,977 Negative silent exposed film in 1931 $186,509 Negative silent exposed film in 1930 $348,087 Negative sound exposed film in 1931 $1,230,456 Negative sound exposed film in 1930 $983,5 19 Positive silent exposed film in 1931 $630,210 Positive silent exposed film in 1930 $2,046,843 Positive sound exposed film in 1931 $3,537,986 Positive sound exposed film in 1930 $4,740,287 Average adult admission in 193 1 was 10 cents less than in 1930. 75 to 85 per cent of all adult admissions are purchased between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Annual expenditure for theatre accessories (new and replacements) $22,500,000 Data from 'Department of Commerce, Motion Picture Producers ami Distributors of America, Inc., Architectural Forum, and original sources.