Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1956)

CEA-KRS Hold Action On “King” Release . . . British trade groups await ruling of Board of Trade on “revolutionary" 20th-Fox plan for "King and I" ‘ by WILLIAM PAY LONDON: The joint CEA-KRS committee has deferred taking any action on 20th Century-Fox’s “revolutionary” distribution pattern for “The King and I,” pending a Board of Trade ruling. Independent exhibitors had protested that the Fox plan, for the film to be released in 25 London zones for a minimum of two weeks prior to its normal release, disturbed the long established trading pattern. It was pointed out by members of the committee thaj; while the major circuits had given an undertaking not to modify their standard booking practices, here was a case of the small circuits, Granada and Essoldo, themselves disturbing trading arrangements. A clarification of this point, it was decided, should be sought from the Board of Trade. As things stand at this moment, however, there is little likelihood of the committee taking joint action. The KRS has always been reluctant to interfere with its members distribution policy. On the other hand, the CEA has religiously advocated “individual trading” between renters and exhibitors. Meanwhile, James Pattinson, managing director for 20th Century-Fox here, sticks by his plan to break with tradition. He maintains that changing trade conditions demand a more flexible release system. “The King and I” starts its special release October 7 and goes into the conventional release pattern of North-West, East and South-East London November 12. It has already run for three record-breaking weeks at the Carlton theatre in London’s West End and continues to capacity business. Fox have to move it out to make way for “Bus Stop” around mid-October when they will again break with tradition and open with a Saturday premiere with Marilyn Monroe in attendance. PRODUCERS, UNION CHIEFS AVERT STUDIO SHUT-DOWN A degree of psychology and “get tough” attitude on behalf of producers and union chiefs has averted a shut-down of Britain’s major studios. Virtually a hundred per cent of the studios’ carpenters, some 300-odd, had given a week’s notice and production at M.G.M. Elstree, Pinewood, Shepperton, Nettleford, Beaconsfield and ABPC Elstree, was threatened. The “chippies” claim was for a wage differential and 30 per cent increase. They had nursed this grievance for several months and complained of long drawn-out negotiations with the producers. Sir Tom O’Brien, general secretary of N.A.T.K.E., who represent the carpenters, repeatedly appealed to the rebels not to act in defiance of union policy. But this time his advice was ignored. He promptly accused them of being led by a caucus of irresponsible men, hell-bent on destroying their own livelihood and that of everybody else in the industry. Sir Tom then called a meeting of all other unions representing carpenters and a firm stand was agreed against this unofficial action — instigated by a group of film studio carpenters to promote a campaign for preferential rates. No dispute, it was stated, existed between the producers and the unions so the defiant carpenters were told they could be replaced by others outside the industry. At the same time the B.F.P.A. advertised for carpenters in the London Evening News. Within 48 hours the majority had withdrawn their notices and the threatened stoppage, that would have hit the production of 19 films, was averted. In some instances, however, the studios refused to allow some of the men to withdraw their notices. They wanted to be rid of the trouble-makers. AGREEMENT IS REACHED ON ANGLO-ITALIAN FILM PACT A new three-year agreement has been reached — subject to approval — by British film producers and the Italian industry governing the exhibition of British films in Italy and Italian films in the U.K. This follows talks between representatives of B.F.P.A. (British Film Producers Association) and A.N.I.C.A. (Associazione Nazionale Industrie Cinematografiche Ed Affini) in Rome consequent on the passing of the new Italian film law which establishes a compulsory deposit of 5,500,000 lire for the circulation of foreign films in Italy. Under the agreement total exemption from the “compulsory deposit for dubbing” is granted to: two British films for every Italian film given a major circuit release in the U.K. Companies which are registered in Britain by a subsidiary of, or controlled by, an American company are excluded from the agreement. The B.F.P.A.A.N.I.C.A. agreement also provides for 16 British films nominated by the B.F.P.A. to be granted exemption each year subject to payment of £1,100 for each film into a London “pool” which is administered by the two associations. An uptrend in admission is indicated in the latest Levy collection and rental figures issued by the British Film Production Fund. For the four weeks ended August 25, 1956, rentals were £402,782 for features and £40,438 in respect of shorts (this is after multiplying 2V2 times). Total rentals for the four weeks is therefore £443,220 as compared with £346,698 for the corresponding period in 1955. Levy collections amounted to £236,288 compared with £ 193,727 for the same period last year. • The C.E.A.’s Finance and Management Committee reports that its newly-appointed advertising contractors have made some headway in the securing of advertisements for its fortnightly Film Report. Further orders are anticipated in the Autumn and 1957. Arrangements have also been made to print in colour. The Report is widely-read amongst exhibitors and its assessments of films carries considerable weight. C.E.A. members are now asked to give any information that might lead to further advertising. It is authoritatively understood here that America’s N.B.C. plans to move in on Britain’s commercial TV. It has applied for a share in the running of the Welsh I.T.A. station. The I.T.A. is currently considering this station’s allotment and will make its decision in November. Several other groups have applied as programme contractors. They include impressarios Jack Hylton and Tom Arnold, Lord Derby, Lord Aberdare, Archibald Weir, Monty BaileyWatson, the “News of the World” and the four contractors already operating the English stations. The Television Act stipulates that a programme contractor should not be under the control of anyone residing outside the U.K. There is, however, nothing stopping an American company buying an interest in a British contracting company. • William Cecil Jeapes, 84, a pioneer of the industry, died here at his home, September 21, following a heart attack. He originated one of the earliest newsreels, Animated Graphic, in 1903 which later developed into Topical Budget. In the 1920s he introduced automatic film processing into his own laboratories and was founder of Universal News. Peru will be the sixth country in Latin America to have active distribution of Rank Organisation films following an agreement just made with Films International S.A. Peru. Rank product is already in active distribution in Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil and Uruguay. Operations will begin very soon in Chile. 28 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, OCTOBER 6, 1956