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THE FOREIGN MARKET 333
the people of such countries do not look with favour upon the restrictions imposed upon American motion pictures.
Not all foreign countries have been successful in exploiting the pictures produced by their own nations. In Spain, during 1926, sixty motion pictures were produced; yet in 1927 but twenty-five were made; and in 1928 the number was reduced to nineteen. This is an indication that the people did not support their home product. During 1928 the American films accounted for 95 per cent, of the Spanish market, whereas Germany, France, and the home market accounted for practically the remaining 5 per cent. American motion pictures have been successful abroad primarily because they please the ultimate consumer and not because of the free market that was extended to the motion picture industry in years gone by. Our cinema commodity was preferred throughout the world because it was the best motion picture made and because it struck a responsive cord abroad.
In the final analysis, it is obvious that in the export trade, just as in the domestic, the consumer will be the final arbiter as to whether American films are desired abroad or not. It is therefore the business of the American motion picture industry to make available to motion picture patrons throughout the world a product that will interest them, whether they are silent or in dialogue. If this is accomplished producers will hold a fair share of the world's business regardless of nationality.
Because foreign countries are making it more difficult for the American product to enter their boundaries profitably, American producers should meet this condition by close cooperation, by effecting economies abroad in distribution, and by continuing to produce motion pictures of a type that will be sought for by the people of such countries. To create a spirit of friendliness the American motion picture industry should cooperate with the other nations