Moving Picture News (Jan-Dec 1911)

24 th:e moving picture news MOVING PICTURE BUSINESS ABROAD England (By Commercial Agent J. D. Whelpley) There is a steady increase in the moving picture film business in England. The almost unanimous opinion among the big men in the trade is that there is still plenty of room for high-class films. Especially is this true of American films, which are by far the most popular in this country. The sales made here in March were the largest in the history of the industry and one American agent, who represents four of the principal film-making companies in the United States, disposed of more than 1,000,000 feet of films in Great Britain and Europe. There seems to be nothing of the temporary boom about the moving picture business here. It has been estimated by reliable authorities that there are in England more than 2,000 theaters showing moving pictures exclusively, of which 300 are in London. Although new houses are being opened there are no signs that the promoters are doing more than meeting a very evident public demand. Some of the larger syndicates in control of a considerable number of houses buy outright the films they use. The general practice, however, is for the film manufacturers to sell their products to agencies, which rent the films to the various theaters. In some cases after the films have been worn out they are returned to the makers under an agreement to that effect, but in the majority of cases they become the absolute property of the purchasers. Although there are some houses in the heart of London that change their programs three and even four times a week, the general practice is two changes a week. It is believed that before long three changes a week will be general. London a Center of Distribution — Competition London has become a selling center for films for all parts of Europe and even Australia and New Zealand. Some of the American companies have opened offices in all the larger European centers, but it is here that competition is keenest. Some Italian manufacturers are energetic and enterprising and their products are the chief competitors of the American films. English films are not popular, even at home, and the subjects selected render them almost useless for sale in other countries, although they have a slight sale in Germany. The keen competition has not resulted in much price cutting. Some of the English companies are said to be allowing a discount of 10 per cent, and a few of the American companies are thought to be doing the same. Some assert that prices will have a tendency to go up instead of down because of the increasing cost of producing high-class films, and that such an increase would not be resented by the picture-theater promoters. At the present time the demand is for a better film rather a cheaper one. Some of the moving picture houses show a tendency to present programmes exclusively American, but such a course is probably unwise. In order to meet the wish for variety one French company turns out films under several names. Opinion is divided as to the advantage of such a course. Some of the continental companies are liberal in the matter of credit, but among the American companies the tendency is toward a cash business as far as possible. Phases of cowboy and Indian life are the most popular subjects for American films. A strong flavor of melodrama is desirable, but there is no demand for immorality or vulgarity despite the attempts of some manufacturers to place films of a sensational character. The English audiences are quick to note any lack of taste in the dressing of the actors. Some objection has been raised to the more extreme American clothing of the male actors in some of the films. A keen interest is taken in the personalities of the several performers and any changes in the companies have their effect on the moving picture public here. Germany (From Consul-General Robert P. Skinner, Hamburg) The censorship of moving pictures in Germany is not in any way related to the importation of films, which may be introduced upon payment of the duty of $47.60 per 100 kilos (220 pounds) regardless of the nature of the pictures themselves. After importation they become subject to police regulations, which vary in the different States in the Empire. In Hamburg there is no censorship prior to exhibition, but if the pictures are deemed to be of improper character by the police their withdrawal may be ordered by the police authorities. In Prussia censorship invariably precedes exhibition. As films are generally exhibited throughout the Empire, it is now the rule after importation at Hamburg to submit them to the Berlin censors before undertaking to exhibit them. Scandalous pictures are never imported from the United States, and scenes of robbery and murder cannot be exhibited without previous elimination of objectionable parts. Merely sensational pictures are sometimes unable to secure official favor. The importation of American films at Hamburg is increasing. Moving Picture Theaters in Coburg (From Consul-General Frank Dillingham, Coburg) The moving picture show in Coburg, known as "Cinematograph," has evidently proved a profitable investment, because the only two cinematograph theaters here have recently moved into larger halls fitted especially for this business. The new theaters seat several hundred people and are thoroughly up to date. Prices range from 5 to 10 cents, with half prices for children, students and soldiers. The cinematograph theaters are open from 4 p. m. until 11 p. m. on week days and on Sundays from 2 p. m. to 11 p. m. Sunday is usually the best day. The program is changed every Wednesday and Saturday and generally consists of eight or nine numbers. Each program lasts from one and a half to two hours and starts with a picture of scenery in natural colors. That is followed by a drama, then comes a comedy, and the fourth number often includes descriptive scenes of some article in the course of manufacture, or the cultivation of flowers, or raising of chickens, snails, etc., for market. American pictures of cavalry sham battles, train wrecks, fires, etc., are in great favor here. Each program, as a rule, includes one American film, which is always liked because the characters act naturally. The films are not selected by the proprietor of the theaters in Coburg, but are chosen and sent by a Berlin agent. Perhaps this explains why so few American films are given, because they are always favorites. American films are shown in Coburg within ten days after their arrival in Germany. The films of the various companies vary in length from 240 to 2,700 feet, and the latest fad is to have one of the longest in each program, usually depicting some phase of life in a large city. Some of the most popular given in Coburg were played by actors of the Royal Theater of Copenhagen. Comedy films are usually German, Italian or French. Dramas are generally French or Italian, and , scenery pictures are usually of Italian make. The cinematograph machines are run by electricity, which is also used to run the mechanical piano and to light the theater. A large phonograph is used during the brief intermissions to hold the attention of the audience, and a piano is used as an accompaniment for the pictures. The price quoted for a film 1,017 feet long is $73.78; for a film 1,033 feet long, $74.97, this being equal to 1 mark ($0,238) per meter (3.28 feet), prices being inclusive of "virage." FOREIGN TRADE OPPORTUNITIES No. 7246. Moving picture outfits. — A large South African firm, having branch houses in all the important cities of that region and leading in the importation of moving picture outfits, informs an American consulate that it would like to receive catalogues and price lists from American manufacturers of complete moving picture outfits and accessories, electric apparatus with general picture show accessories, searchlights for shows, and any novelties appertaining to picture shows. — From Daily Consular and Trade Reports. (Apply to Bureau of Manufactures, Washington, D. C, for particulars. — Ed M. P. N.) STRICT RULES GOVERN MOVING PICTURE THEATERS Philadelphia regulations regarding the erection of moving picture theaters and alterations of existing buildings for such exhibitions are so strict that the likelihood is minimized of a repetition in this city of the moving picture theater panic in Canonsburg, in which twenty-six persons lost their lives. It has only been in the last three or four years that this city has had strict regulations regarding these structures. The regulations of the bureau of building inspection absolutely prohibit the erection of any moving picture theater or the altering of a present building for this purpose when the auditorium is to be above the ground floor. If by chance there should be a fire in a moving picture theater when it is on the ground floor, the patrons have at least a chance to escape through one of the exits provided by law.