Motion Picture News (Oct 1913 - Jan 1914)

THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS 49 "Selling Out" in Spain (Continued from page 25) tures. French, Italian, English or American players won't do for the Spaniards. They need a favorite of their own blood, who understands their emotions, their sense of humor, and can translate it all into pictures. A clever manufacturer could hire a good company of Spanish comedians very cheaply, train them and develop them into a company which would produce native pictures that undoubtedly would draw all the business away from the shows which rely upon second-hand, cast-off and worn-out reels. The motion picture world of Spain is ten years behind the times, and a shrewd manager who could bring out a Bunny or Billy Quirk in native talent would be sure of a fortune. Spain is an ideal spot for the camera man, but so far it has been comparatively overlooked. Quaint sets and pictures abound. The Cines stock has a large company working in Seville at present with good results, and Pathe Freres have several companies of players in different parts of Sunny Spain, but it is doubtful if the Spaniards themselves will see all these pictures that are being made in their country, or if they will care for them peopled with foreign actors. There is no film censorship in Spain, which makes it an open field for pictures which fail to pass elsewhere. Spain doesn't believe in censorship in anything. The few popular magazines they have are full of photos that would make Anthony Comstock start raiding at once. It's a free country in the way of morals, and many a picture gets by in Spain which would be stopped in puritanical America. Another reason that censorship is not needed in Spain is that very few children go to the theatre. There are no five-cent tickets for children in the land of the Dons. They pay full price or nothing at all, and you can't see a dozen even at a matinee. The grown-ups like blood-and-thunder pictures as well as comics. They fall hard for the Western picture, even if taken in Spain. The other night I saw a thrilling Western drama cribbed from some California company's reel and reproduced in Spain. Oxen were substituted for steers and goats for sheep, but the people here didn't know the difference, and thought the whole thing was happening on the wild ranges of Western America. * * * * JUST now the three-reel picture of Christopher Columbus from America is making a big hit. Here it is called "Cristobal Colon," and everybody shouts and sighs over all the dramatic scenes. The Spanish audience is very temperamental and appreciative. Smoking isn't allowed in the theatres, but everybody smokes just the same. They have two firemen sitting down front who look like Boy Scouts and wear Hessian soldier uniforms. There's never been a fire in a picture house in Spain of any importance, but somebody has to pay the salaries of the city firemen, so they put it up to the exhibitor. In spite of bad conditions there are good opportunities awaiting Americans here. American films are the most popular. The people want them, and before long they're going to have plenty. There is a good chance awaiting the man who comes to Madrid or Barcelona with good connections and starts a big show out-of-doors. Spaniards have an ideal climate and love to be outdoors, but so far they've never heard of an open-air theatre. In summer the heat is unbearable and the people practically live in the streets at night, looking for a cool place. A big picture place open to the stars would be an acceptable innovation that would pay dividends. Cafe life is very popular in the big cities, and if motion pictures were combined with cafes, somewhat after the fashion of Coney Island and American resorts, the exhibitor could make good profits. But a big city would have to be picked for such a venture, and Spain hasn't many Win cities. The two most progressive are Madrid and Barcelona. At Barcelona the business methods are almost American and the people have more money to spend than in any other city in Spain, except the Capital, Madrid. Spain needs motion picture promoters, but to make a profitable start in this land of the siesta a manmust study the conditions and know the people. There are chances all along the line, for manufacturer, exchange man and exhibitor, but the people will have to be educated and developed to a point where they will look for something better than they are now getting. Viva la Spain! But if you come over you'd better bring along a property pistol and make up your mind to fight King Alfonso and his taxes to the last ditch. « EXHIBITOR Mr DEALER 1111 • m Price ?40.00 . WRITE US IMMEDIATELY Regarding Our Specialties Pertaining to Motion Picture Equipment Including ECONOMIZERS, RHEOSTATS, HEATERS, TRANSFORMERS, ETC. General Electric Utilities Co. 145 WEST 45th ST., NEW YORK Agents Wanted in all Sections of U. S. and Canada Is Your Name on Our Mailing List? We will be pleased to place it there if you will fill in the form below, and mail it to us. It won't take a minute. Do it now. The Motion Picture News, 220 W. 42nd St., New York City Gentlemen: — Please place my name upon your mailing list for a period of — I have enclosed Check Cash Money Order in payment of this subscription. Ne Theatre St. Address City -State The subscription rates are Two Dollars for one year; One Dollar for six months; Fifty Cents for three months. 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