The Economic History Review

Profitability trends in Hollywood, 1929 to 1999: somebody must know something1

Volume 63 Issue 1
Home > The Economic History Review > Profitability trends in Hollywood, 1929 to 1999: somebody must know something1
Pages: 56-84Authors: MICHAEL POKORNY, JOHN SEDGWICK
Published online: December 14, 2009DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0289.2009.00488.x

Log in to access the full article.

This article presents an overview of the development of the US film industry from 1929 to 1999. Notwithstanding a volatile film production environment, in terms of rate of return and market share variability, the industry has remained relatively stable and profitable. Film production by the film studios is interpreted as analogous to the construction of an investment portfolio, whereby producers diversified risk across budgetary categories. In the 1930s, high-budget film production was relatively unprofitable, but the industry adjusted to the steep decline in film-going in the postwar period by refining high-budget production as the focus for profitability.

SHAPE