Motion Picture Industry Earnings Still on Upgrade

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 37, 6 November 1937, Page 18

Motion Picture Industry Earnings Still on Upgrade

NEW YOBK — Motion picture industry earnings during the second quarter oi 1937 were substantially better than the comparable 1936 period despite the seasonal declinev Aggregate profits of four companies, whose figures are availabie, totalled 8,334,000 dollars- for. the first six months oi 1937) up 60 per cent over the comparable 1936 •'interim, says Poor's sun veys. ' • "To tako advantage of the increaseci th'eatre attendance ;anticipated for the coming; mpnth's, plans for, cpustructin^291 new theatres- at a cost of more than 19,00.0,000 - 'dollars were drafted during the first seven and a half months o'f the year," continues the analysis. "Pull.year 1937 expenditures may exceed 25,000,000 dollars. Ereetion of the theatres now planned would increase dbmestic theatre seating capacity some '228,000 (2 per cent). Then, too, with ' an advance in admission prices expected to offset higher operat-. ing costs, greater theatre profits -'are in prospect. " . ■ " The export crqtlook, however, ; reinains obseure. Iforeign governments continue to lend every assistance and encouragement to their own "'motion picture industries. . .This . .trend -bodes ilL for American producers without pro-!! duction f aeilitiek abroad, since the industry as a wholo. obtains almost 40 per cent. of its total iucome from foreign film rentals. The: British Government, for example, will introduce a new Cinematqgrapn Film Bill in Parliament this coming, f all to take the place of the old . (1927) Act, which will expive hext year. t "In order , to assist American companies. in their . sale of films abroad, a motion picture division is beiug creatied under the Bureau : of For-" eign and Domestie Commerce.'.'

Proved. • An Irishman obtained leave from work to attend a wedding. He returned with two black eyes. The foremam asked him what had happened. "When I got there," replied tho Irishman, "I saw a fellow all dressed up like a peacoek. 'An' who are youf' says I. T'm the.best man,' he says, an' begorra, he was, too!"