Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1948)

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{Continued from preceding page) films shown and that J. Arthur Rank's releases will center about prestige productions. Italian product is expected to be scarce, but a number of Swedish productions will be shown here. About 80 per cent of the product shown in Belgium is Hollywood-made, since almost everyone speaks English fluently in Brussels and the Flemish part of Belgium. In the Walloon part of Belgium, where French is spoken, only 68 per cent of the films shown are American. These must be dubbed for the Walloons, but dubbing is always poor and pictures lose much of their interest in the procedure. CANADA • • • by W. M. GLADISH in Toronto The general situation in the Canadian industry has become even more involved since World War II than it was during the period of hostilities when it endured the ramifications of control directives of the Federal Government. In several phases of the business, there is little prospect of reduced complexities during the 1948-49 season because of new governmental regulations designed to correct the foreign exchange difficulties and because of developments within the industry itself. Current trends in the Canadian field include increased competition through opening of new theatres by rival interests, a growing test of popularity between Hollywood and British product, gradual decline in patronage in various parts of the Dominion, a more selective attitude on the part of the public, and the demand of exhibitors for the better type of pictures which appear to be in less plentiful supply. At the close of 1947, Canada had 1,693 theatres, compared with 1,477 at the end of the previous year, and the number is steadily increasing with Odeon Theatres showing steady expansion, met by Famous Players Canadian and its affiliated circuits. Adding to the competition is the growth of drive-ins. Theatre receipts in 1947 reached the all-time high of $62,279,000, against $59,889,000 in the preceding year. These figures do not include amusement taxes. Much of the increase was due to higher admission prices, the advance being generally estimated at close to 20 per cent. This fact is supported by the figures. Paid admissions during 1947 totalled 220,714,785 — down three per cent when compared with the 1946 total. The continued downward trend in aggregate attendance during 1948 has been admitted. Of the approximately 500 features imported in a year from English-speaking countries, from 40 to 60 come from Great Britain. British pictures, generally, are on a distinct upward trend in public favor. Hollywood pictures continue to have high popularity, particularly with respect to the acceptance of star players. Despite the official encouragement of the Dominion Government for the creation of enterprises within the country for picture production — thus relieving the drain on foreign exchange for film revenue — there continues to be no real feature production here. china m m m by C. Y. TOM in Hong Kong After eight years of war, China's motion picture industry enters a new era. Older production companies have suspended operations. Now, in Shanghai, the Peak Film Co. leads the line. In Hong Kong, the Yung Wha Film Co., sponsored by famous Chinese bankers, handles the production on a large scale. These two companies produce their pictures in the Mandarin dialect, the national language of China. In Hong Kong there are some other companies specializing in Cantonese dialect pictures, the dialect of Kwang-Tung Province. These are Grand View Film, Great China Film and other smaller companies. The Nanking Government sponsors the China Central Studios for the production of shorts for government bureaus. Nine American firms have their own branch offices in Hongkong and Shanghai. There is a good market in China for American films because of China's great populations and large territory. Eight out of 10 theatres are showing American pictures. Just after the reform of China's new currency, the Gold Yuan notes, China raised the customs duty for American pictures from $250 to $1,200 for each feature. This regulation has been in effect since September, 1948. CZECHOSLOVAKIA % by JOSEPH B. KANTUREK in Prague The reorganization of the Czechoslovak motion picture industry was completed April 13. Legally, the Czech picture monopoly is a state enterprise, Ceskoslovensky Statni Film (Czechoslovak State Film). O. Wachacek is general manager ; Dr. U. Vaclavik heads production, and Dr. J. Malek heads the distribution branch. Currently, the industry is employing 14,000 persons. Its income for 1947 was 1,400,000,000 koruna ($28,000,000). Although there is an acute shortage of good story properties, production here is in full swing. At present there are 20 features in various stages of production. There is also extensive production of shorts, cartoons and puppet films. Producers plan to increase the yearly output of features now from 20 to 30 — until 55 a year are released by 1953. It is planned that 10 of those 55 will be made in color. Product of all countries is shown here. A recently released official statement revealed that 1947 admissions, amounting to 150,000,000, were 17.4 per cent above 1946 admissions. These admissions were split up among the following foreign and native films: U. S. A., 33 per cent of the admissions (this country supplied 47 per cent of the product shown) ; Czechoslovakian, 27.5; Russian, 15; British, 14.5 ; French, 8.7, and other films, 1.3 per cent. The country has 2,287 theatres with a seating capacity of 748,491. During the country's fiveyear plan, new cinemas will be built, mostly in the rural districts. In small situations, the 35mm theatres will be turned into 16mm houses. By the end of 1953 the country is scheduled to have 4,170 theatres; 1,574 35mm theatres and 2,596 16mm theatres. A total of 167 features were imported during 1947. Most of the U. S. product is released through the Motion Picture Export Association, although the monopoly is buying from U. S. independents. U. S. films are enjoying the longest runs on the Czechoslovak screen. Much care and attention is given here to the schooling and training of new directors, screen writers, and technicians. A special motion picture academy has been established. EIRE • # • by TOM SHEEHY in Dublin Eire now has 320 motion picture theatres in operation and a dozen more are being constructed as building materials and permits become available. During the past year, tradings, though not up to war boom figures, were good. But an air of uncertainty was created by the Government's undeclared policy of "soaking the cinemas." During the first three months of 1948 heavy increases in admission taxes and prices caused a considerable drop in the number of patrons and the trade was faced with a completely uneconomic position. Exhibitors, without in any way becoming involved in party politics, staged a campaign for the revision of those taxes and a new Government, elected in February, removed the tax increases in its first budget. In spite of this three months' tax handicap, rising overheads, and two increases in salary gained by the cinema employees' labor unions, the cinema companies' balance sheets for 1947-48 showed a good profit margin. Irish exhibitors, who obtain their American films through London, were not set back by the temporary cessation of American supplies during the American-British films dispute, which was settled before it affected Irish bookings. The number of American films imported is still much greater than the British, although J. Arthur Rank's very strong hold on first run positions will tend to alter this position in the future. The trade in general anticipates good average trading conditions for the coming year — if it is not affected through London by any British American film trading crises. A feature of the past year has been the rapid development of 16mm exhibition in rural areas and in non-theatrical situations. This has in no way conflicted with or adversely affected the 35mm trade. EGYPT * • * by JACQUES PASCAL in Cairo The Egyptian industry is rather glum about the new 1948-49 season. Well informed circles here anticipate a notable drqp in the coming winter season, with business much below the past year's figures. This because of three developments : the war in Palestine and the unstable situation which has deepened a depression already existing in the industry ; the mushroom growth of theatres in Cairo and provincial towns with the result that the theatre-goer's money is spread out thinly, and the decrease in popularity of American product, enabling Italian product to gain ground and compete favorably with Hollywood. At present there are almost 100 theatres operating in Cairo. A few years ago there were barely 55. Towards the end of 1948 Egypt will have some 250 theatres, as against 190 in 1945. Today's depression has affected production more than anything else in the industry. Where almost 120 full length features were produced in 1944, it is expected that only 30 will be produced by the end of this year. The Middle East markets are being closed in the face of Egyptian producers ; the wages and salaries of both technicians and stars have been severely cut. But though limited in number, our local production is undoubtedly of a higher artistic quality than before. FINLAND $ # m by B. V. YLIPAA in Helsinki American product still tops the list of films shown here. During the 1947-48 season, 62 per cent were from the U. S. It is expected that even more American features will be shown here during the 1948-49 season. All the film magazines are filled with pictures of American stars and most of the theatres prefer U. S. films since they are the surest box office successes. Soviet films seem to find their way to Finnish [Continued on page 6) 4 WORLD MARKET MOTION PICTURE HERALD, NOVEMBER 13, 1948