The work offered for this PhD by Published Works charts the history of cinema exhibition in Britain from the late 1950s to the present. At the start of this period, cinemagoing as a form of public entertainment entered a long period of decline that was only arrested with the development and growth of multiplex cinemas in the 1980s and 1990s. Despite these changes, the feature film itself remained a culturally and commercially valuable artefact, though increasingly this meant the Hollywood film. Whilst due consideration is afforded to the technological changes in cinemas and the cinema apparatus, my work places the development of cinemagoing in a broad social, economic, cultural and political context, and explains how these issues impact upon on-going developments. In the late 1950s, cinemagoing declined partly in response to changing leisure habits, demographic shifts, the growth of consumer culture, television, and the widespread adoption of new broadcast technologies like home video and satellite. The multiplex returned feature films to cinemas, but was a definitively American commercial form closely associated with new forms of leisure and out-of-town retailing. There are also parallels between the context for development of the multiplex in the USA – suburbanisation, shopping malls and reliance on the motorcar – and developments in Britain in the last 30 years. To this end there is a specific emphasis on the development of the multiplex cinema as part of a wider narrative about the re-positioning of cinemagoing as a collective, public form of visual entertainment, in the period from the mid-1980s, in the context of some dramatic changes in the transient nature of capitalism and urban planning. From the early 1990s onwards there was a growing anxiety about the impact of out-of-town developments on Britain’s urban centres, and a concomitant and renewed emphasis on the importance of the urban core rather than the edge. Thus, the key to understanding the evolution of cinema exhibition today is to pay particular attention to urban planning as inherently ideological, shifting and changing in line with broader political, economic and social considerations.

In the early years of the twentieth century, the unique new medium of motion pictures was the focus of significant theorization and experimentation at the fringes of the American advertising industry. Alongside the growth of the nickelodeon, and the multiple shifts in the American cinema's business model in the 'transitional era,' various individuals at the margins of the advertising industry attempted, and most often failed, to integrate direct consumer-goods advertising regularly into motion picture theaters. Via techniques as diverse as the glass slide, the commercial trailer, and the advertising wall-clock, cinema patrons of the 1910s witnessed various attempts by merchants and manufacturers to intrude upon their attention in the cinema space. Through research in the trade presses of the cinema, advertising, and various consumer-goods industries, along with archival ephemera from the advertising companies themselves, this dissertation explores these various on and off-screen tactics for direct advertising attempted in silent cinemas, and their eventual minimization in the American cinema experience. Despite the appeal of the new, popular visual medium of cinema to advertisers, concerns over ticket prices, advertising circulation, audience irritation, and the potential for theatrical 'suicide-by-advertising,' resulted, over a mere fifteen years, in the near abandonment of the cinema as an advertising medium. As a transitional medium between the 19th century forms of print and billboarding, and 20th century broadcasting, the silent cinema was an important element in the development of modern advertising theories.

In the early years of the twentieth century, the unique new medium of motion pictures was the focus of significant theorization and experimentation at the fringes of the American advertising industry. Alongside the growth of the nickelodeon, and the multiple shifts in the American cinema's business model in the 'transitional era,' various individuals at the margins of the advertising industry attempted, and most often failed, to integrate direct consumer-goods advertising regularly into motion picture theaters. Via techniques as diverse as the glass slide, the commercial trailer, and the advertising wall-clock, cinema patrons of the 1910s witnessed various attempts by merchants and manufacturers to intrude upon their attention in the cinema space. Through research in the trade presses of the cinema, advertising, and various consumer-goods industries, along with archival ephemera from the advertising companies themselves, this dissertation explores these various on and off-screen tactics for direct advertising attempted in silent cinemas, and their eventual minimization in the American cinema experience. Despite the appeal of the new, popular visual medium of cinema to advertisers, concerns over ticket prices, advertising circulation, audience irritation, and the potential for theatrical 'suicide-by-advertising,' resulted, over a mere fifteen years, in the near abandonment of the cinema as an advertising medium. As a transitional medium between the 19th century forms of print and billboarding, and 20th century broadcasting, the silent cinema was an important element in the development of modern advertising theories.

Comment penser les problèmes d'accessibilité relatifs aux prix et la politique de répertoire des cinémas contemporains ? Quels sont les déterminants de la fréquentation des salles de cinéma et les conditions de son augmentation ? Quelles formes pourrait prendre un système d’exploitation cinématographique alternatif ? Tels sont les questionnements qui sous-tendent la recherche doctorale présentée dans cette thèse. Ce travail vise à définir et élaborer des bases théoriques et méthodologiques afin d’augmenter l'efficacité de la gestion du système de distribution des films en Russie, en s’appuyant sur l'utilisation de l'expérience russe et française en matière de préservation de l'identité nationale de la culture cinématographique dans un contexte de mondialisation culturelle. Cette thèse a permis d’élaborer un projet de système de gestion de la structure intergouvernementale portant sur l'exploitation cinématographique dans ses dimensions d’économie politique, d'organisation et de marketing dans la perspective d’une efficacité accrue pour résoudre les problèmes d’ordres économique et socio-culturel. Les résultats de l'étude peuvent être utilisés pour contribuer à définir la politique de l’État dans la sphère de l'exploitation cinématographique aux niveaux fédéraux, régionaux et locaux ; dans le processus de réforme et d'amélioration de l'efficacité de la gestion du système d'exploitation cinématographique ; pour la détermination des orientations à long terme de l'activité de marketing dans le domaine de l'exploitation cinématographique. / What is the solution of the problems with the price accessibility and repertoire policy for the modern cinemas ? What are the determinants of cinemas attendance and how to increase the target audience of cinemas ? What is the suitable form for the "system of alternative film exhibition" ? These were the questions to answer with the recent thesis. The purpose of the research is consisted in the determination and elaboration of theoretical and methodological bases for increasing the efficiency of Russian film exhibition management using the accumulated Russian and French experience of maintaining the national identity of cinematograph culture in the conditions of cultural globalization. As a result of the conducted research the international structure of film exhibition was elaborated and presented widely in the organizational, economical and marketing aspects with the aim of increase the efficiency of the solution of economical and socio-cultural problems. The results of this scientific work can be used while defining the state policy in the film exhibition field on the federal, regional and local levels ; in the process of reforming and increasing the efficiency of film exhibition management ; during the practice of foundation the perspective directions of marketing activities in the film exhibition field.

El presente artículo analiza el consumo de cine regional, tomando como objeto de estudio a la audiencia joven residente en Lima, para comprender los factores influyentes en su consumo. El cine regional peruano, se ha caracterizado, recientemente, por ser una categoría del cine peruano, en evolución, con obras cinematográficas de gran presencia en los circuitos de distribución y exhibición comercial. Sin embargo, la evolución en el crecimiento y los avances tecnológicos para la producción, no han logrado introducir el cine regional en la distribución comercial. Así mismo, las investigaciones académicas alrededor del tema son escasas. El presente trabajo, se centra en analizar el consumo de cine regional peruano en los adultos jóvenes que viven en Lima, a través de una investigación cualitativa de la audiencia mencionada, la cual se realizó de manera virtual, a través de grupos focales online asíncronos. Debido a la pandemia que se vive actualmente generada por la Covid-19. Los resultados muestran que los usuarios tienen presente el cine regional dentro de sus hábitos de consumo cinematográficos. Finalmente, esta investigación, ha permitido conocer los factores que influyen en el consumo de cine regional y la necesidad de mayor estudio en el campo del cine regional peruano, en el campo audiovisual, psicológico y académico. / This article analyzes the consumption of regional cinema, taking as object of study the young audience residing in Lima, to understand the influencing factors in its consumption. The Peruvian regional cinema has been characterized, recently, as a category of Peruvian cinema, in evolution, with cinematographic works of great presence in the distribution and commercial exhibition circuits. However, the evolution of growth and technological advances for production have not succeeded in introducing regional cinema into commercial distribution. Likewise, academic research on the subject is scarce. The present work focuses on analyzing the consumption of Peruvian regional cinema in young adults living in Lima, through a qualitative investigation of the aforementioned audience, which was carried out virtually, through asynchronous online focus groups. Due to the current pandemic generated by Covid-19. The results show that users keep regional cinema in mind within their film consumption habits. Finally, this research has allowed to know the factors that influence the consumption of regional cinema and the need for further study in the field of Peruvian regional cinema, in the audiovisual, psychological and academic fields. / Tesis

El presente trabajo busca mostrar los procesos de distribución y exhibición en la cadena de cines Cineplanet de la película Calichín que, estrenada el 10 de noviembre de 2016, llegó a convertirse en la segunda película peruana más vista de ese año. Para lograr dicho objetivo, se desarrollaron algunos conceptos básicos derivados del negocio cinematográfico, además de explicar cómo es el funcionamiento de las empresas distribuidoras y exhibidoras en el país. Asimismo, se pretende averiguar si dichos procesos fueron decisivos en la gran acogida que tuvo el film en las salas de cine nacionales. Para realizar esta investigación se ha recurrido a la aplicación de entrevistas a los profesionales involucrados en la producción, distribución y exhibición de Calichín. Dicha herramienta metodológica también permitió verificar la importancia de estos procesos en el éxito de la película. / This work seeks to show the distribution and exhibition processes in the Cineplanet movie theater chain of the film Calichín, which, released in November 2016, became the second most viewed Peruvian film of that year. To achieve this objective, some basic concepts derived from the film industry were developed, in addition to explaining how the distribution and exhibition companies work in the country. Also it is intended to find out if these processes were decisive in the great reception that the film had in movie theaters. To carry out this research, interviews have been applied to professionals involved in the production, distribution and exhibition of Calichín. This methodological tool also allowed to verify the importance of these processes in the success of the film. / Tesis

Pour respecter les droits d'auteur, la version électronique de cette thèse a été dépouillée de certains documents visuels. La version intégrale de la thèse a été déposée à la Division de la gestion des documents et des archives. / Au cours de son histoire, la salle de cinéma s’est érigée à partir d’une politique d’épuration sensorielle, elle-même héritée d’une longue tradition, faisant de l’expérience spectatorielle cinématographique une expérience de contemplation purement audiovisuelle. Cependant, lorsqu’elle traverse une période de crise, tant économique qu’intermédiale, la salle de cinéma renoue avec un modèle attractionnel, polysensoriel et plus particulièrement tactile, lié au cinéma des origines et à ses premiers lieux de diffusion, mais réprimé lors de l’institutionnalisation du média et de sa stabilisation dans la salle consacrée. Aux États-Unis, c’est notamment le cas autour de 1930, au moment de l’arrivée du cinéma parlant et de la Grande Dépression, de même qu’au cours des années 1950, alors qu’une importante compétition intermédiale liée à l’arrivée de la télévision et couplée à des changements démographiques majeurs affecte les exploitants de salles. C’est de nouveau le cas depuis les années 2000, la déferlante numérique et les possibilités de visionnement à domicile arrachant de plus en plus de spectateurs aux salles. Cette thèse propose l’examen approfondi d’une période et d’un cas exemplaires. Elle analyse précisément le moment où les salles américaines connaissent une baisse de fréquentation majeure au cours des années 1950. Pendant cette période apparaissent plusieurs technologies audiovisuelles, mais également de nombreux gimmicks polysensoriels. Or, ces derniers ne sont qu’une version radicale et matérialisée d’idéaux attractionnels portés par les producteurs et l’industrie cinématographique de l’époque aux États-Unis, ce que démontre l’étude du gimmick tactile Percepto, développé en 1959 par le cinéaste William Castle pour accompagner son film The Tingler. Bien au-delà du simple gadget promotionnel, le dispositif Percepto fait vibrer les sièges et hurler les spectateurs, les sollicitant par une sensation physique directe censée prolonger l’univers du film à même la salle de cinéma. Cette expérience cinématographique singulière valorise en outre le caractère à la fois collectif et participatif du visionnement en salle. À la jonction de plusieurs champs théoriques, soit l’histoire culturelle des sens, l’archéologie des médias et les études de diffusion, cette thèse cherche à mettre au jour le rôle majeur des sens pourtant dits « mineurs », notamment celui du toucher, dans l’histoire de la salle de cinéma américaine, et à resituer la tactilité dans les origines attractionnelles du cinéma, en démontrant de quelle manière le corps du spectateur est, par le biais de stratégies polysensorielles, de nouveau inclus dans l’expérience du cinéma, alors qu’il en est traditionnellement exclu. Par ailleurs, elle vise à réinscrire les gimmicks au sein de l’historiographie du cinéma en général et de celle des salles en particulier, tout en faisant découvrir un dispositif cinématographique tactile jusqu’ici généralement méconnu et oublié par la recherche savante : Percepto. Pour ce faire, la thèse s’appuie sur plusieurs sources de première main et propose l’analyse des éléments suivants : le film The Tingler, le fonctionnement du gimmick, les publicités produites autour du dispositif, son apparition en salles, ainsi que sa réception critique et populaire. / Throughout its history, the movie theater has emerged from politics of sensory purification inherited from a long tradition, making the cinematographic spectatorial experience one of a purely audiovisual contemplation. When going through a period of crisis, be it economic or intermedial, the movie theater reconnects with an attractional, multi-sensory and mainly tactile model linked to the origins of cinema and to its first exhibition spaces, but repressed at the time of the institutionalization of the media and its stabilization in the dedicated theater. In the United States, this is notably the case around 1930 with the arrival of talking pictures and the Great Depression, as well as during the 1950s when significant intermedial competition resulting from the advent of television, coupled with major demographic shifts, affects theater exhibition. This has also been the case since the early 2000s, when the digital surge and the possibilities of home viewing have torn more and more spectators away from theaters. This thesis offers an in-depth examination of an exemplary period and case. It analyzes precisely when American theaters experienced a major drop in attendance during the 1950s. During this period, several audiovisual technologies appeared, along with many multi-sensory gimmicks. However, the latter are only a radical and materialized version of ideals of attractions carried by the producers and the film industry of the time in the United States, as demonstrated by the study of the Percepto tactile gimmick, developed in 1959 by filmmaker William Castle to complement his film The Tingler. Far beyond a simple promotional gadget, the Percepto device makes the seats vibrate and the audience scream, addressing the spectators with a direct physical sensation supposed to extend the fictional world of the film right into the theater. This unique cinematographic experience also underlines both the collective and participatory qualities of theatrical viewing. At the junction of several theoretical fields, namely the cultural history of the senses, media archeology and exhibition studies, this thesis seeks to bring to light the major role of the so-called “minor” senses, in particular that of the touch, in the history of the American cinema, and to restore tactility in relation to the attractional origins of cinema, by demonstrating how the spectator's body is, through multisensory strategies, included again in the experience of cinema although it is traditionally excluded. In addition, it aims to re-establish gimmicks within the historiography of cinema as a whole and that of movie theaters in particular while revealing a tactile cinematographic device largely unknown and forgotten by scholarly research to this day: Percepto. To achieve this, the thesis offers the analysis of the following aspects, based on several primary sources: the film The Tingler, the functioning of the gimmick, the advertisements produced around the device, its theatrical release and exploitation as well as its critical and popular reception.

“Prestige and Prurience: The Decline of the American Art House and the Emergence of Sexploitation, 1957-1972” presents a historical narrative of the art house theatre during the 1960s and its surrounding years, examining the ways in which art theatres transformed into adult theatres during the 1960s and 1970s. Beginning in earnest in the immediate post-war period, art houses in America experienced a short period of growth before stagnating in the middle 1950s. With the release in 1957 of the erotically charged Brigitte Bardot film …And God Created Woman, a new era of art houses followed, one that is characterized by the emergence of sexualized advertising, content and stars. As the 1960s came, sex films like The Immoral Mr. Teas played on art film marketing strategies and even screened in many art houses. Gradually, sexploitation films began to dominate art house programs and replace European art films and Hollywood revivals. In this transitional period, however, sexploitation films used key strategies to emulate many art film characteristics, and likewise art films used sexploitation techniques in order to maintain marketability for American distribution and exhibition. By studying the promotion and programming used by art house theatres during this period, this thesis identifies and announces a number of key trends within the dynamic period for art houses. The period is distinguished by its convergence of practices related to prestigious and prurient signs, merging art and sex in ways unique to the era and to the circumstances by which sex films infiltrated art houses and art films pandered to salacious interests. It presents a new perspective on the history of art houses, art cinema, American exhibition, sexploitation films, hardcore pornography and censorship. / text

Nous exposons dans ce mémoire les principes qui fondent, au sein de la discipline des études cinématographiques, une conception théorique de la réception d’images animées reposant sur la modalité de consommation spécifique du cinéma en salle. Notre analyse d’un ensemble représentatif d’approches théoriques et historiographiques de l’expérience cinématographique permet de relever les principes qui orientent la conception de différentes formes de médialité conférées à l’expérience du cinéma en salle. Les théories du dispositif et du signifiant imaginaire de Jean-Louis Baudry et Christian Metz proposent une conception de l’expérience du cinéma en salle qui met l’accent sur les effets de transparence médiatique de certaines composantes des salles de cinéma sur les spectateurs ainsi que sur le caractère imaginaire, symbolique et institutionnel de ces médiations. La sémio-pragmatique de Roger Odin et l’approche historiographique de la New Cinema History telle que présentée par Robert C. Allen et Richard Maltby proposent une conception de l’opacité médiatique de l’ensemble complexe des effets de médiation sensorielle, relationnelle, sociale et économique de l’expérience du cinéma en salle et dont les spectateurs font l’épreuve sur toute l’étendue de ce type de site d’exploitation et sur toute la durée de son occupation spectatorielle. Au terme de notre analyse, les différents principes relevés permettent de formuler la notion d’expérience hétérotopique du cinéma pour désigner la conception de l’expérience du cinéma en salle qui caractérise la compréhension de la réception d’images animées dans le cadre des études cinématographiques. / This thesis explores how theories of moving image reception that have or have had a significant impact on the development of film studies as a discipline are centered around the movie theater and on “movie-going” practices. The analysis of a representative set of theoretical and historiographical approaches to the cinematic experience allows for the definition of key principles that unearth various forms of mediation at play in the movie-going experience. Jean-Louis Baudry’s “apparatus theory” and Christian Metz’s notion of the “imaginary signifier” both suggest a theory of movie-going experience stressing the transparency effects on spectators of the mediation of certain architectural and technological aspects of movie theaters and focusing on the symbolic and institutional nature of this form of mediation. In contrast, Roger Odin’s semio-pragmatic approach and New Cinema History’s critical historiography (as theorized by Robert C. Allen and Richard Maltby) conceptualize the opacity of a complex set of sensory, relational, social, and economic mediations occurring in movie theaters, which last during the entire experience of the audience in these exhibition sites. By unspooling the complexity of the theoretical stances above mentioned, this thesis moves towards the definition of a heterotopic cinema experience formulated from within the context of film studies.

This thesis investigates the historically composed political and economic contexts that contributed to the late 1990s commercial renaissance of Korean national cinema and that have sustained the popularity of Korean films among local and regional audiences ever since. Unlike existing approaches to the topic, which emphasise the textual characteristics of national film production, this thesis considers relations between film production, distribution, exhibition, and ancillary markets, as well as Korean cinema’s engagement with international cinemas such as Hollywood, Hong Kong, China and Japan. I argue that following the relaxation of restrictive film policy towards the importation and distribution of foreign films between 1986 and 1988, the subsequent failure of the domestic film industry to compete against international competition precipitated a remarkable shift in consensus regarding the industry’s structure and functions. Due to the loss of distribution rights to foreign films and the rapid decline in ticket sales for Korean films, the continued economic viability of local film companies was under enormous threat by the early 1990s. The government reacted by permitting conglomerates to seize control of the industry and pursue vertical and horizontal integration. During the rest of the decade, Korean cinema was transformed from an art cinema to a commercial entertainment cinema. The 1997/98 economic crisis led to the exit of conglomerate finance, but streamlined film companies were able to withstand the monetary meltdown, continue the domestic revitalisation, and, since the late 1990s, build media empires based on the expansion of Korean cinema throughout the Asian region.