FILM AND THE STUDIOS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 637, 13 April 1929, Page 25

FILM AND THE STUDIOS

ADVANCE FOR the first time Austria is definitely optimistic concerning the future of her film industry. On making an inventory of her achievements in the industry in the past 12 months she made the discovery that it had teen a record Quality year. In her five studios, all situated in Vienna, an average of two films monthly for the year was maintained. In number this is not quite up to 1924, when 33 films were produced. In 1925 only nine films were produced. Last year the number was only IS. The last feu- months of 192 S witnessed a real revival. To-day every studio is busy and contracts have been made to keep them, so far into this year. This revival is due to various factors. The Austrians became more confident and also managed in obtain the necessary financial backing. Foreign producers discovered that wages were much lower and that studio rents and other items, were not expensive—in other words, that production costs averaged only from a third to a half as much as in Germany, England, France and other European countries. Instead of importing film talent as in the past, Austrians hope to keep it at home. Some of those already exploited include Regisseurs Alexander Corda, Michael yfertesz, Erich Pom.mer, Fritz Lang. Erich von Stroheim and Joseph von Sternberg and artists Victor Varconi and Lily Damita.

“THE SPY” AT STRAND REACHES THIRD WEEK

POPULAR Willy FritscH, star of “The Spy,” which has entered upon the third week of its season at the Strand. The extension has been warranted by the phenomenal interest taken in this exciting mystery-thriller I which may be counted as the best picture of its kind screened 1 in Auckland for years.