Variety (Apr 1949)

•TARIETX'r liONDOK OmCK (M. Martial flaai^ Vrntalcar Vawara Some Type of Divorcement in Britain Forecast as Result of Portal Probe London, April 12. 4' Far-reaching proposals for thfe film industry, which may embrace some measure of divorcement, are foreshadowed here by leading in- dustryites as a result of the In- oulry into exhibition and distribu- tion now concluding under "the Chairmanship of Lord Portal. Re- port is expected eitheir late in May or early June. For the last few months the committee has considered various memoranda submitted by most branches of the Industry. It also has listened to oral evidence from producers, distributors, exhibitors and the unions. During the oral interviews, mem- bers of the Portal Committee have displayed a keen interest in the case for divorcement, and it is un- derstood they have been well primed With documents from the tj. S. which deal with this aspect of the situation. Althouph legislative powers may be need to put into practice any reforms advocated by the inquiry committee, the fact that it was set up at the urgent request of the Board of Trade prexy, Harold Wil- gon, lends credence to reports that proposals it may make will not be shelved, but will be introduced with all possible speed. See Turning Point h ' French Prod. Reached; SOOGPiiFinishinRed Paris, April 5. Most French picture men agree that film production here has now reached a turning point, and that producing in France with a budget M around $500,000 is sure to leave them in the red. They say they cannot get enough distribution abroad to cover their budgets. Re- sult is that better French directors are ogling either Hollywood or London. Some producers claim a French picture with an English version made here only adds: about $160,- 000 to total. outlay which cannot be recovered in the French mar- ket. Despite this, some diehards ■ claim that French films, however poor their chance in the world .market; . should. carry bigger budgets. Claim such high quality ■would :boost world market revenue return. French studios, which used to belong to various organizations, : have been combined by their own- ers into one firm, Franstudios. This is because the French owners were anxious to separate their dis- —ti4h-exhibitor—departments—(still profitable < from their studio and production activities, now mostly in the red. Only indies remain , active, many renting space from Franstudios. One reason why French labor unions are prote.sting against the combine is that formerly when studio^ space was rented; a produ' cer automatically took over the full technical unit belonging to the studio and placed it on the payroll. The studios don't do this any niore. This means that men, I who stood in best with the union I and could be wished On the studio I , by Politic, ■ prqpsure, are no longer i assured of permanent employment. Asquith Cites Need For Shielding British Pix London, April 12. Despite hopes of a year ago that they would be marching forward Into prosperity, the industry is back in darker gloom than has ever enveloped it, declared Anthony As- quith at the 16th annual meeting of Assn. Cine Technicians here last weekend. Although for cultural, artistic and economic reasons the industry should be making as many films as possible. Asquith pointed out that today they had more members unemployed on the feature side^of production than at any other pe- riod; Criticizing exhibitor policy; Asquith averred that proteetion for the native industry wias necessary so long as .theatre owners preferred American -to. British product. IXTERIVATIOISAL 13 New Mex. City Plant Ready Washington, April 12. New, ultra-modern film studio is due to open in Villa Obregon, a suburb of Mexico City, within the next few months, reports the pic- ture branch of Ut S. Department of Commerce. Called Estudios Cinematografi- cos San Angel Inn, it will be pat- terned after some of large .U. plants. Studio will have three stages and will include complete laboratory .facilities,' separate elec* trie plant for each producing com- pany working there.^nd private projection room; -. '<$tudio accom- modations will be leased on con- tract basis. Rank Finally Takes Wraps Off LF.; Sees Big Prod. Saving in New System Swedes Start on Epic ■ -. a-Language rum "jfthod of production, HavasIntoRKO's Lissim Berth? Michael Havas, RKO's Latin American sales manager, reported-, ly will succeed Wladimir Lissim as Continental chief for the company, with headquarters in Paris; Lissim resigned last week after a dis- agreement with Phil Reisraan, RKQ's v.p. ■ in ■ charge of f oreign„ distribution. Havas until about a year ago was sales manager for RKQ in Europe, but was transferred to the Latin American territory because, re- portedly, there was dissension be- tween him and Lissim. His spot as sales manager was taken over by Ellas Lapinere, who had been Continental publicity chief. _ It is understood that - Reisman desired Lissim .to shift his head- quarters to the U; S., which would have meant ^a salary cut, and Lis- sim refused, leading to his resigna- tion last week. In the Interim, Joe Heliport has assumed charge in Paris of Continental administra- tion and finances, while Lapinere continues as head of sales and pub- licity. EL Protests Its Franco-UaS. Quota Sam L; Seidelman, Eagle. Lion's foreign manager, shoved off for Washington yesterday (Tues.) to push the company's fight, against the allocation of films between the majors and indies under the Fran- co-American: film- pact signed last year. Seidelman's D. C. trek fol- lows a trip to France where he made representations - to both French and American authorities on the effect of the film deal which slots a 110-picture quota to the 11 members of the Motion'Picture Export Assn. and gives the indies the remaining 11. EL foreign dept. exec, it is un- derstood, is squawking to V. S. State : Dept. -officials after com- pleting a survey of the French sit- uation made during his recent swing through the Continent. It is expected that' the fight will break into the open if EL fails to win a better shake under the al- location of imports. EL claims that it is shut off conlpletely from the French market by last year's* agreement. Seidelman's action comes after protests personally registered with the State Dept. by Robert R. Young, railroad magnate who con- trols Pathe Industries, EL's par- ent outfit. Of the 11 films slotted to indies annually, three, have al- ready been allocated to David O. Selznick. ; French indie producers, it is re- ported, are pitching for the re- maining eight licenses. If they . . Stockholm, March 29. Filming of "Signoalla," Sweden's most expensive production, to be made simultaneously in three lan- guages, Swedish, French and Eng- i lish, has been started by Terra- Film under production reins of i Lorens Marmsteidt. Christian Jac- i ques is handling the direction of : all three versions, with Romney! Brent, who recently arrived: here, '■ engaged as special director for the j English translation. . ■ Viveca Lindfors has the title 1 role in the three editions with t Lauritz Falk and his'wife, Vibeke; cast in featured parts. The picture is expected to be. completed by the end of June, with shooting being done both here and in France. IRISH RADIO EXPECTS SPONSOR TIME TO DIP Dublin, April 5. Radio Eireann, State - owned Irish station, plans to spend $819,- 920 during ■ the current financial year, or $181;920 more than in 1948-49. Revenue from licenses is expected" to~provide-about-$700;0007 with air time sold adding another $172,000- The anticipated selling of time to sponsors is well below the 1948- '49 figure of $264,000, largely due to Sharp cut in time made by Irish Hospitals sweepstake organi- zation some months back. Mex Players Win Added Film Jobs Mexico City, April 12. Mexican pic players have been given a big break by edict of Andi'es Serra Rojas, head of film trade's own bank, the' Banco Nacional Cinematografico, S. A. He has now ordered, all producers who enjoy coin and other aid of his bank that casts of' all films they make must .be at leaiit ; 80% Mexican. Order is effective May 1. Producers are in a huddle over drastic changes in cast for new pix. , The banker explained the order was necessary because of beefs by Mexican players that local pix are using nearly 80% foreign players. Rojas reiterated hiS' contention that there's no discrimination in this' against anybody; just that it is time something- was done to give Mexican film players first pref- erence in their own country and in local pix. Banker said he was told by Mexican actors' unions that than 200 of their ^ - - " V J last year more coulT*obtai'r"these7Vt" woum ease members were deprived of picture their trading the: licenses for dis- 1 work tribution of French product in the roles by foreigners getting the U. S. Reportedly, the French government is inclined to go along with the native filmmakers on the proposal. Fixing of the quota last year as part of a deal unfreezing film dol- lar remittances, brought com- plaints from both EL. and Walt Disney. Disney, however, after threatening a battle., dropped his beefs when it was decided that his product would come under the Most aliens regularly playing "in Mexican pix are Cubans, Spaniards and Argentinians. RKO allotment. Lea Padovani to Star In 'Christ in Concrete' Rome, April 6. The filmization of Pietro di Donato's novel, "Christ in Con- crete," is scheduled to go before the cameras April 19 at Denham studio in London under the title "Give Us This Day." Lea Pado- vani, Italian actress, has been signed for the role of Annunziatta, and will appear opposite Sam Wanamaker, who is set in the lead- ing role of Geromio. Plantagenet Film.sv Ltd., headed by the Duke of I-eeds, A. Kerstein and N. W. Bronslen, are making the film, which will be produced by Rod Geiger and directed by Edward Dmytryk. Picture will be released by J. Arthur Rank, and is to be made entirely in England. Backgrounds lor the film are currently being sliol in New York. Ijot Sure British Govt. Will Ask Distrib Quota ' London, April 12. Lord Lucas refused to give asr surance to the House of Lords that the British government would re- introduce a distributors' quota at expiration of the Geneva and- Ha- vana trade agreements which for- bid such a . practice. He Said the international con- ventions were signed in 1947 fol- lowing representations to the Brit- isli Film Producers Assn. and as-^ surances from U. S.- distribs that they would continue British pro- duction. FILM GROUP'S'OVER 21' ON AIRLIFT CIRCUIT Wiesbaden, April 5. Constance Bennett, accompan- ied by an all-star cast, is touring- the air-lift Circuit of the U. S. zone of Germany, putting on Ruth Gordon's comedy. "Over. 21." Ap- pearing with Miss Bennett during three-week tour will be Charles By HAROLD MYERS * London, April 12. Veil of secrecy, which has shrouded the Independent Franiei was lifted after 18 months when the Rank Organization invited British and American newspaper r^ps to Pinc'-- wood studios to watch a film in the making. As already intimated, IF is Rank's answer to high production budgets and a larger part of his program turned over for produc- tion via this time and money sav- er. Fourth of initial series, in the nature of an experiment, is now on the studio floor. Sydney Box fol- lows with three, first of which will be "Boys in Brown." Donald B. Wilson is now in the preparation stage ready to start filming when the floor is clear, Already Rank has sunk $1,000,- 000 into the new process but studio execs are confident the'money will earn rich profits in cutting down , shooting schedules; The " one IP stage at Pinewood is already Cap-; able of turning out seven full- length' features a year, and floor time is normally restricted to around six weeks. While back projection is an in- herent part of the process, it i$. not the whole thing of Independ- ent Frame. In the initial produc- tions, BP plates have been used, with certain limitations, for 80"{i of the setups. But the underlying . value of the process is-its vital pre-planning of every stage of pro- duction. From the time of comple- tion of script; until the: pic is ready to go on the floor, at least six months elapses during which time director, camcrman and art direc- tor pre-plan every sequence, add- ing appropriate Illustrations to the shooting, script. Also all location work is done in advance and the necessary plates, mattes and models are made ready for pro- duction. So detailed is the plan- ning that every camera angle is calculated in advance, sets are designed to harmonize with the- plates and every other aspect is worked out along mathematical lines. Method of shooting is normally to allow for three sets to be in the studio at any particular time. Of these, one is for immediate use, another is in preparation for the next setup and the third has just been used, and is due for removal to a special bay in which sets are built and demolished. Special eas- ily maneuverable steel rostrums are used for transporting sets,'and these are a vital part of the IF equipment. Other necessary gear includes mobile lighting rails, over- head gantry and massive projection towers. : Sets are kept in store until the rushe s are okaved and t hen d is- mantled but not before plates have ' been made in case ' a. matching shot should be required at a later date. 4 TECHNICOLOR PIX PLANNED FOR INDIA Plans for four Technicolor pic- tures to be made in India were outlined *"_^M^EldmKM^ Monday Oriental-International Films, and 4,Jean Renoir, his. associate, who'll direct them. Each will cost about $600,000. Initial venture will be screen version of Rumer Godden's novel, "The River." Corporate set-; up, McEldowney revealed, will in-' volve three nations. O-I will invest i in Commonwealth, Ltd., a British I firm, while Indian capital also will, be represented. ! Clay V. Hake, who recently re- "River'' likely will be the first turned to Paramount's foreign Technicolor film, ever made in In- dept. after a stint with the do- dia by any company. With a 12-,'mestic sales wing, is en route to year-old moppet, Patricia Walters, South Africa to look after the as its star, it will be shot as a loca- Pic isn't ex- Par's Hake to So. Africa On 50^ Freeze Ruling Hamburg's Film Fest Hamburg, April 6. The Hamburg Film Society and the Urania Culture Film Co. are sprucing up tor their forthcoming roles as host to the International Film Culture Session scheduled for Hamburg May 7-15, So far, film companies from more than .10'na- tions have pledged participation, Promising to participate, so far are fllmers in Argentina, Denmark, England. France, Italy, the Neth- erlands. Austria, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland and the Soviet' Union, U.S.A. iKirticipation xs anticipated. Ruggles, Barry Sullivan, Vannessa i -.- - - Brown. Hillary Brooks, Charles ! ^lonei near Calcutta Arnt, James Lydon and Joe Field. \ Pected to roll until after October, Group is donating its services. i when monsoon season has ended. This is the third major State- side show touring the-airlift cir- brought his radiofprogram here in February. compahy's intefests there. Hake's trip is :tiined so that he can be On the sCene Wlien and ruling is made; by the Dominion, govem- Explaining ' why India was j metit on the status of Yank fllnis. ■ ••■li iii,^ ,„f oiriiii 1 11 chosen to make "River." Renoir I Ruling which would clarify a gen- cuit since Bob Hope,.'jinx Falken- , said that it was generally conceded ^ eral 50% freeze on all imports is I berg and Irving Berftn toured at' by most filf^jne"^he Godden expected momentanly. I Christmas, and Garry Moore story was a fine one- b"t i would 'Tairp Ti nr T pavp Tt" ^a^e to be shot in US natuiai 10- lake 11 or Leave it | ^^^^^ McEldoWney and Renoir leave for the Coast Friday (15) _ , II f I I I and expect to head for London in Eckman Here from London; J^iy or August. Sam Eckman, Jr., managing di- jcropl Filin Planned rector and chairman of Metro's IpJ^aei rum ridiiiieu board in Britain, arrived in N. Y. Monday (11) on his annual visit to the homeoffice. His wife !»ccom- panies him. While in U. S.. Eckman report edly will American Film meet slated fori Washington April 21. Besides a brief vacation, he will visit tlie Coast. I By Novelist Golding I London, April 12. ! Novelist Louis Golding is asso-:tion. ' ciated with a venture for the pro-; Hake was originally slated to.ac- duction of a film in Israel, with' company Francis S. Harmon, vee- South African restriction fixes both remittances and imports at 50% of 1947 totals. American : film companies have pointed out to the government that earnings, on pix, unlike other commodities^ are garnered over a period of : many months. Hence, general re-- strictions which would bo clear when applied to ordinary goods I would only confuse the film situa- l-'-'i™" f, ^"^f ' studio work to be completed in• pee of the Motion Picture Assn. " " "" Britain. Project is to base a film j of America, to South Africa late ' on Golding's dramatic journey be-1 last year wheii the government re^ I fore the war from Egypt across i strictions were first passed. Haiv Siniai. . I mon's trip was called off because; ! Golding,- who is proposing to: of a feeling that It: would be pi-e- j visit the U, S. soon, is contemplat-i mature. I ing a return trip to Israel to make i Practicallj^ ail other majors^ e^^ final preparations before actually! cept Paramount have reps statioii-^ Other Foreign News On Tagt 15 i embarking on pic.. |ed permanently in the Dominion.