The Film Daily (1948)

BRITISH EDGE TO PBRB , RKO British Coin Split Agreed Division of British remit tables under the Anglo-American film pact definitely will be based proportionate 1 7 on gross rentals of individual American pix received during each period, monthly & quarterly, it was 1 e arned over the week end. Distribs. who have been huddling on the pact fe provisions here have so agreed. Distrib. conferees have moved along to the chore of clarifying permitted uses of unremit tables and to English participation of British films distributed in the U. *». There is a reported aim to achieve a "shar * " definition of the earnings of U. K. pix here, and to assure that no special benefits accrue to releasing companies. WOULD HALVE TICKET IMPOST Washingtonsponsored by Reps. A.J. Multer of Brooklyn and W. M. Colmer of Miss., bills to repeal the war-time increase in Federal admissions tax rate were dropped into the House hopper Friday. Will Garner Bulk Of Remittable Rev enues in U.K. in early Posf-cfufy Months Paramount and RKO are in the most favorable position among the major companies to garner the bulk of remittable revenues in Britain during the initial months following repeal of the ad valorem tax. Two factors are responsible for this situation) (l) Rigid adherence by British exhibs. to bookings set well in advance, (2) Backlog of films booked but unreleased by these two com panies at the time of settlement. Observers point out that although the other distributors may be able to unveil their product in West End London houses, it will be difficult to get pictures into general release throughout England before September. RKO features, in England at the time tax was originally imposed, but held from general release until now are "The Best Years of Our lives," "The Fugitive, ■ "Out of the Past" & "Woman on the Beach." Paramount pix in this category include "tfneohquered, " "So Evil My Love" and "The Big Clock." U.K. PRODUCTION SLOWS DOWN London— General slowing down of British production is on. London Film Friday gave a week's notice to 225 of its 1,000 Shepperton Studios employes, and dismissed also 46 of its 300 workers at Islewoth. British National 's Boreham Wood plant closed at the week end, as forecast by THE FILM DAILY Friday, after a leasing deal with Maurice Ostrer flopped. ^■■Jl I I HIT 1 HI. — -■-■ —■■■!!■■ II 1L ■ — — — ^»H ^m "-"II— SWEDEN ATTRACTS U.S. COS. Two major companies and two Hollywood indie producers, in addition to David 0. Selznick, are interested in producing this year in .Sweden, it was disclosed here by Harold Inlander, vice prexy of Svensk Film Industry, prior to his departure for Stockholm Saturday. ERP Assures Help for Pix Washington — MPAA was jubilant at the week end over inclusion in final ERP version, passed by Congress Friday, of House provision for fund to aid pix, other info, media in meeting foreign distrib. costs to sum of $15,000,000 first year. In addition, conference report contained clear statement for first time, on precise working of this section to offer gov't "guaranties of investments in enterprises producing or distributing info, media." It was clear recognition of aid principle for film industry. Details of administration of this and other ERP provisions are still to be worked out. RANK SPACE ONLY FOR U-l ChicagoJ. Arthur Rank enroute to Rochester, N. Y. , to be Eastman' 8 guest today, said he has made no British studio space commitment to U. S. producers except to U~I. Latter will make two in period from July.