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The decline and fall of the European film industry: sunk costs, market size and market structure, 1890-1927

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  • Bakker, Gerben

Abstract

In the 1900s, the European film industry exported throughout the world, at times supplying half the US market. By 1920, however, European films had virtually disappeared from America, and had become marginal in Europe. Theory on sunk costs and market structure suggests that an escalation of sunk costs during a rapid US growth phase resulted in increased concentration; eight surviving companies dominated international film production and distribution forever after. European film companies, although overall profitable, could not take part, and after the war could not catch up. US, British and French time series data for 1890-1930 support the theory.

Suggested Citation

  • Bakker, Gerben, 2003. "The decline and fall of the European film industry: sunk costs, market size and market structure, 1890-1927," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 22366, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:22366
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • N0 - Economic History - - General
    • R14 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General

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