We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
398 ^> -^ ^> The Motion Picture Industry
It is not to be expected that this situation would be permitted to continue without strenuous efforts on the part of those in foreign countries to free themselves from this domination. As a matter of fact, there were two important reasons for attempting this. In the first place there was the obvious suggestion that Germany, for example, with its 5,000 theaters, the United Kingdom with 4,500 theaters, and France with 3,000 theaters could each support one or more distributing companies whose pictures might find preferred showings in their own theaters and perhaps have some exhibition value elsewhere.
This economic reasoning was strongly supported by a political and social argument of tremendous import. The power of motion pictures to influence the conduct and beliefs of people is clearly recognized. In many respects they are more powerful in their influence than books and newspapers, particularly in countries where literacy is not very high. The film has a very direct appeal, it is highly emotional, and it is understood by every person; consequently it possesses the power to influence people where many other forms of appeal would have little weight. Whether in the United States or elsewhere, then, the influence of the film over public opinion is recognized as a force of primary importance. It is perfectly natural, therefore, that the Germans should be concerned with the effect of American motion pictures upon public opinion in Germany. The American-made picture introduces American ideals, American customs, American habits of thought; it displays American articles of commerce; and it interprets American points of view. To subject millions of people in Germany, France, or Italy time after time to this subtle influence could not but have its effect, not only in developing a favorable response to American attitudes of mind, but also in tending to stimulate the desire for American products. This development would, of course, be in many cases at the expense of domestic ideals and desires.
The existence of this situation was seized upon very early