Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-05-28
MOVIES" POPULAR
IN SOUTH AMERICA

Almost everybody goes to the
"movies" in South America. They call
them "cinemas" down there-but they
are "movies" just the same. It is enc
instance Of Authorization even among
the Spanish-speaking people-the full
Pledged name, "cinematografo," hav-
ing proved too burdens0me even for
them. And as suggested, everyone
takes them in-aristocrat and peon,
rich and poor, young and old, all
classes and kinds except the unfort
unate blind. In the matter of pop
ularity and character of attendance,
therefore, the "movie" has nothing on
the CINEMA, but there are some few
are managed, differences which are
entertainingly brought out in an
article by William A. Reid in the cur
rent number of the Bulletin of the
Pan-American Union, Washington,
ID. c. For instance, he writes:
"ln Rio de Janeiro the best motion
picture theaters do not follow the GUS
tom. of allowing patrons to drop in
and out at will. A film is advertised
to begin at a certain hour Of the aft
ernoon or evening; at the appointed
time doors are closed, or in most Cases
a heavy and highly decorated curtain
is dropped, and the show in the audi
torium begins. A rather novel ar
rangement, also noted in other Brazil
ian cities, is the waiting lobby imme-
diately in front of the entrance prop
er. After purchasing ticket the
patron enters the lobby or corridor,
takes q comfortable seat and waits
until the termination of the first sec
ton Of the play, the time Of which
may pc few minutes or half an hour.
While waiting one may listen to the
band of music, which may be heard
equally well by those within the lobby
or in the audience. At times the
crowds become congested, and all the
lobby seats are occupied; in such cases
the ticket seller withholds further
admissions and the swelling crowd of
waiting patrons must remain in the
street until seats are available.
"In most of the larger cities Of
South America the motion picture
theaters represent a considerable out
lay of capital. If they have not been
constructed especially for this class of
business they are in most cases build
ings that have been remodeled and
modernized, and elegance and at
tractiveness are leading features. In
recent years some OF, the finest play
houses have thrown open their doors
for moving pictures, fact that per-
mits the humble citizen to get within
the marble palaces of amusement that
adorn most South American capitals.
The business, too, has made its way to
the smaller town and even to the ham,
let, where the amusement appears to
be just as popular as in the great
cities, and often forms the only source
of diversion. In not few cases the
most attractive place in the growing
town is the new building or theater
where the cinema is shown"
Admission Fees High.
In regard to prices of admission,
Mr.. Reid writes that they are general
ly considerably higher than in this
country. In Brazil, which is perhaps
typical of all the countries, the import
duty on films is about $3.50 per pound;
while for an average motion picture
machine q duty Of $50 must be paid
To the above amounts must be ADDED
certain smaller taxes, stamps, brok.
ers' fees, etc, all of which act rs q
check on more active importations
Accordingly, the admission fees to the
shows are higher than in the United
States, 25 to Is cents being not an un.
| common charge In new motion.
picture theater in Rosario, Argentina
Mr.. Reid says he paid AZ cents for 6
ticket which was good for only 81
ordinary seat, box seat in the same
house being quoted at $1.27 in add
ton to the general admission. In
other cities the ordinary admission Il
from Is cents up, and nowhere was
the price as low as cents, SO COM
mon in this country.
One of the most practical uses t.
/ which the motion picture is applied il
South America is the service at TIKI
Argentine immigration bureau il
Buenos Aires. In normal times tina,
/ cnnnfrx RECEIVES 1 600 immigrants peI