Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-15
INDUSTRY
GAIN IS FORECAST
Larger Receipts Are Seen for
Current Year-Radio
Trade improves.
BY J. C. RoYLE.

The motion picture group has become
the bellwetl1er Of the amusement flock.
Unless all indications are erroneous,
it is leading the amusement industry
into decided prosperity
1t is true that the motion picture
industry is in the midst of its annual
Summer slump, according to N. ID.
Golden, assistant chief of the motion
picture division of the Department Of
Commerce. Unreasonable weather has
contributed in some degree to a drop
in box Office receipts, but this has not
been Sufficient to produce a depression
in the industry. The artificial re-
frigeration of motion picture theaters
has made them a gathering place for
whiting patrons in the last two months,
Movies sin Popular.
The American. according to Mr..
Golden, has not lost his taste for
the movies. The fact that some two
or three thousand motion picture
houses have closed up for periods of
three to six weeks this Summer does
not mean that business is slack It
simply means that the business is being
transferred from the cities to the mo-
ton picture houses located in the Sum-
mer resort towns, which have their
big season from June to Labor day.
The industry is just as prosperous
as it ever has BEEN" said Mr.. Golden.
with all the producing units in fun
swing
There is every indication that there
will be expended at the box Offices
OF the motion picture theaterS in the
United States during 1880 approxi-
mately $500, 100000 or $200000 600
more than it is estimated was spent
in 1929. Mr.. Golden declares the moo
ton picture industry is depression
proof" It is usually the last indus
try to be affected in periods of depres-
sion. Even in times of severe unem-
ployment, nearly every movie fan can
and does find the money to attend his
favorite theater regularly. In fact, att
tendance is then likely to go up since
idle workers have more time on their
hands and desire some relaxation which
will brighten their outlook.
Radio Industry Improves. :
The radio industry, according to
leaders in that line, is looking up after
the most disastrous period in its his4
tory last Fall It is not cutting in ap.
preciably on the movies or the legiti-
mate stage. Theatrical men say that
the fact that radio is Offering pro-
grams every night does not keep the
average citizen from going to the
movies or to the theater to see his
favorite star perform at least one night
week.
Loud walls are coming from the
legitimate theaters They say the
talkieS are driving them out of BUSH
ness. 1t will be remembered, however
that they made the same assertion with
regard to the silent movies when the
latter were introduced. The silent
movies added to rather than detracted
from the legitimate theater attendance
and farsighted movie men saw the
talkies will have the same effect.
Base ball is having one of its great
est seasons. This is due in no small
part to the weather, for there have
been long periods without rain and
the schedules have been well MAIN
tanned. new stimulant for the game
is night base ball, which is becoming
popular in the Middle West and else
where.
Copyright 1907