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Number of Theatres Open and Closed
Table XXIX shows the total number of theatres from 1929 through 1935, and from 1932 on; the data are "broken down to show the number open and closed. It will be noted that in 1952, 4,627 movie houses out of a total of 20,100, or almost 25 per cent, were closed. However, only 797, or 17 per cent, of those closed were sound-equipped theatres. In 1S33, out of a total of 19,311 theatres, 5,895, or about 30 per cent, were closed, of which 2,170, or almost 37 per cent, were equipped with sound. The over-exoansion in the number of theatres, their construction in unsuitable locations as real estate promotions, and the attendance by the public at the finer theatres only, resulted in the closing of a large number that had become obsolete or should never have been built.
Although the proportion of closed thea.tres decreased from 1932 to 1935, the relative number of closed sound-e quipped theatres had increased. However, it must be borne in mind that the proportion of soundequipped movie houses to the total has been increasing since 1929, until in 1935 these houses constituted almost 90 per cent of all theatres.
Seating Capacity
Table XXX shows the total number of seats in motion picture theatres during the years 1931 through 1935. Since 1933, the number has remained, relatively constant at slightly more than 11 million.
The potential seating capacity of the Industry may be obtained by combining with the actual number of seats the average number of shows per day. Since some theatres give at least two shows per day, and most of them probably three or four shows per day, the potential daily capacity would be at least two or three times the actual number of seats.
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