Julius Schmitt – a jeho rola v medzivojnovej filmovej distribúcii v Československu

Bc. Branislav Cíbik

Master's thesis

Julius Schmitt – and his role in the inter-war film distribution in Czechoslovakia

Abstract:

This thesis concern about a role of Julius Schmitt in film industry between 1st World War and 2nd World War, and is mainly concentrated on his role on film distribution. Julius Schmitt led or established several distribution or production companies, published in many film magazines, assisted in setting up of the first organizations and associations of film companies and he also was involved in film production creatively as a screenwriter or production manager. We can consider Schmitt as an example of unusual connection of organizational, leadership, management and creative skills, which was unnecessary for handling several positions. For this work I used methodology of Edward Jay Epstein from his book The Big Picture. It was very helpful for me to understand basic rules of market economy, legislation and policies of the then government in general process self-realization of beginning entrepreneurial. This thesis is divided into three main parts: first part is about Schmitt and his role in 20s this part analyzes his childhood and environment which had influence on his character and opinions. Then there is his work before entering the film industry, after he enters into his first film company and his decisions during all decade. Chapter shows his career in Biografia, first foreign business travels, building with Milos Havel first film studio ateliers AB, his attitude in film crisis in Czechoslovakia, his first own established firm Export Film Company and establishing first Czechoslovakian branch of American company United Artists. Second Part is about his film career in 30s and during 2nd World War, especially about his leading of distribution department in AB, his leaving this company because of disagreement with management, leading his own production company under his name, his beside entrepreneurial activities – cofounding Elektafilm and jointly led premier cinema Hvězda. During this decade he produced many movies, but some of them were very financially unsuccessful and as a consequence he had to sell his company and he lost nearly all money. Third and last part is about his role in film industry during 20s and 30s generally, about his media image, about his movies and there is also comparative analysis of his personality with Miloš Havel. In the end, my thesis should explain, how he influenced factors in each part of cinema industry, especially film distribution. His Influence was coming from various angles – from position as an owner of company, through director and position in film associations to engagement with film production. He participated creatively on many successful movies and he helped to create many others. In comparison with other important persons, he is unusual because of this internal discrepancy, he was successful as an entrepreneurial and artist, too.

Abstract:

Vo svojej diplomovej práci sa snažím čitateľovi priblížiť medzivojnové obdobie československej kinematografie na príklade jedného z najväčších filmových podnikateľov – Juliusa Schmitta. Cieľom práce je priblížiť najmä jeho rolu na vytváraní filmovej distribúcie. Julius Schmitt založil a riadil niekoľko distribučných i produkčných spoločností, publikoval vo filmových časopisoch (niektoré sám založil), zaslúžil sa o založenie prvých združení a asociácií filmových spoločností a nakoniec sa aj sám tvorivo podieľal na mnohých významných filmoch ako scenárista či vedúci výroby. Schmitta môžeme považovať za príklad nezvyčajného spojenia organizačných, vodcovských, manažérskych a tvorivých schopností, ktoré boli nevyhnutné na zvládnutie viacerých funkcií. Jeho výnimočnosť spočíva práve v tejto osobnej rozpoltenosti, keď sa dokázal presadiť jednak ako manažér, a jednak ako tvorivý umelec.

Keywords

filmová distribúcia, filmová produkcia, dejiny kinematografie medzi dvoma Svetovými vojnami, český hraný film, nástup zvuku, prvé filmové spoločnosti, dovoz zahraničného filmu, filiálky amerických štúdií, kontingent, Julius Schmitt, Miloš Havel, Osvald Kosek, Elektafilm, United Artists, Export Film Company, Biografia, AB

Language used: Slovak

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 29. 1. 2013

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 4. 2. 2013
• Supervisor: doc. Mgr. Petr Szczepanik, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / field:
General Theory and History of Arts and Culture / Film and Audio-Visual Culture Studies