PICTURE THEATRES

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15034, 4 September 1922, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

GERMANY SUPREME IN EUROPE. Tile extraordinary popularity of films throughout the whole of the civilised world is proved by a series of comprehensive statistics that have been recently gathered together by the German publication, "Lichtbildbuline..” According to these figures, which are declared to be as, accurate as is possible, there are altogether throughout the world 47,000 picture theatres. Of these, America claims 23,000 and Europe about 20,000. In the United States alone there are as many as 18,000. Of the European countries, Germany easily leads the way, for in that country there are 3731 picture theatres, and Russia follows with a number that is as nearly as possible estimated at 3500. In this case, owing to the unsettled nature of the country, statistics were difficult to Obtain. In Great Britain there arc about 3000 picture theatres. In the remaining European countries the numbers of cinemas are approximately as follows: —France, 2400; Italy, 2200; Austria, ,800; Belgium, 778; Scandinavia, 703; Poland, 300; Holland, 227 Hungary, 180; Spain, 156; Gzeclio-Slovalda, 23; Switzerland, 123; Y'ugo-Slavia, 117; Turkey, 32; and the Balkans, 23. Africa, Australia, and'Asia have together 1361 picture theatres, and The American total is divided as follows: United States, 18,000; Canada, 750; South America, 1200; and Central America, 500.

The chief interest in these figures lies in the unexpectedly large total of such theatres in Germany. It was common knowledge that the United States had far more cinemas Ilian any other part of the world, and, therefore, their total of nearly 20,000 is not unexpected; but it is hardly realised in England that Germany actually possesses over 700 more cinemas than England. Moreover ,it must be remembered that Germany is also only second to the United Slates among the film-produc-ing countries of the world. There are actually in that country more than 1000 film-producing and film appara-tus-producing firms. Germany is making great efforts to improve its already supreme position in the Ohn world of Europe, and it will still need great exertions on the part of those interested in the matter in England before England can even draw level with her powerful competitor. One reason for the German preponderance is the sympathy and active help extended tp the cinematograph trade by the Government and powerful official bodies, and in this respect England is certainly a very long way behind.