Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-05
PICTURE INDUSTRY
IS DECLARED BEST
SALESMAN OF U. S.
Harley Clarke Points to Bene-
fits Derived From Amer.
can Film Exports.
PREDICTS GOOD RESULTS
FROM BUSINESS SLUMP
Says More Efficient Operation Will
Follow Period Of Wasteful
Expenditures.
Special Dispatch TO The star.

Special Dispatch to The Star
NEW YORK, July 4.-The motion
picture film is the best salesman the
United States has, according to Harley
L. Clarke, president of the Fox Film
Corporation. Every foot of film export
ed by the motion picture companies re-
turns at least a dollars worth of BUSH
ness, he asserts.
Mr.. Clarke is very optimistic over the
future Of the industry and SCOTS at the
idea that the point Of saturation has
been reached. There is a new and
broad field in the schools and colleges
for the motion picture which has hardly
yet been scratched, he believes.
That the motion picture industry has
had extravagant ideas about spending
money Mr.. Clarke admits, but most
producers have now come to their
senses.
Lessons From Depression.
In an interview with the North Amer
lean Newspaper Alliance, Mr.. Clarke
said:
Whenever, and however, the recent
business depression comes to an end it
will leave behind tangible and, we hope,
lasting benefits. These will consist Of
methods. more efficient and economic
operation and more direct response to
public needs and desires.
The motion picture industry has re-
sisted reaction more successfully than
most other businesses and this encour-
ages those engaged in 1t to believe that
it will benefit Immediately from any
general improvement in business.
This business has been conspicuously
lax and wastetul during most Of the IS
years Of its existence. The experience
nf loe fxr,n
tives of the industry that future profits
may be assured only by the same pru-
dent management that is essential to
any other commercial enterprise. When
the business trend turns upward, this
profit ratio of the business should inn
prove. Leading companies have applied
practical budget systems to their pro-
duction. Trying times have discouraged
extravagant procedure, have strength
practices that were presumed to be in.
herent in the business.
There is abundant evidence that the
industry has not approached the
saturation point at which expansion is
limited by the growth Of population.
The foreign market offers immediate
opportunity for expansion. While most
Of the worthwhile theaters in this
country have been wired for sound, less
equipped to handle the modern dlm.
Foreign Business Gains.
This foreign market will continue
to expand at an abnormal rate until
sound equipment has been as generally
installed abroad as it Is In this country.
This Is proved by the experience Of
last year when the foreign business Of
our own company increased more than
so per cent.
Visual education offers q new and
broad field to the motion picture in
dustry. The coming of sound made
motion pictures an ideal complement to
the text book. Educational pictures
such as are being produced today. bring
the culture and the learning of the
world into the class room accompanied
by lectures done by the ablest educators.
THE motion picture will contribute
much to the revival Of world business.
The Department Of Commerce has esti-
mated that every foot Of film exported
returns at least o dollars worth Of
business. American feature pictures and
news reels advertise American products.
stimulate O desire on the part Of for
ard Of living. exploit new necessities
and 1uxurieS and promote the internA~
tional exchange Of goods.
There should be no question about
the future prosperity of the motion pic
ture industry II its leaders will remem-
Der the lessons they have learned In
recent years and will continue to pro-
duce entertainment OF q quality that
merits public patronage"
Newspaper Alliance, Inc.)