The Bioscope (Nov-Dec 1930)

16 THE BIOSCOPE November 12, 1930 Latest News from Foreign Markets “Grand Coup” Expected in France American Financial Interests at Work ( From Our French Correspondent, Georges Clarriere) It is reported, but without official confirmation, that Louis Aubert has resigned from the board of Gaumont-Franco-FilmAubert. Whether M. Aubert will retire from the film trade or not is a matter of speculation. He may make a very sensational “ come-back ” under altogether new conditions. I have already hinted that very important changes may possibly take place with regard to one, if not both, of the two largest concerns in the French industry. American financial interests are very hard at w-ork and something in the nature of a “ grand coup ” is expected. Banks and the Industry Several recent banking shocks have hit the film industry. The Banque Adam, older than the Bank of France, suspended payment last week. At least three film firms have been severely hit by the crisis, one of them being a very w-ell-knovn concern, with offices in the Champs-Elysees. Quotations at the Bourse this w-eek show a remarkably severe drop in shares of at least one of the largest public companies in the film industry. Foreign buyers are said to be busy. Financial News A new' company has been formed for the manufacture of apparatus for making films in natural colours. This concern, Societe Cinechromatique, starts with a million francs capital, which is to be raised to six millions after flotation. The directors are A. Demery, L. Bassani, P. Obre, A. Valentin and P. Massebiau. The new process is said to give colour direct, and a technical demonstration will be given shortly. Roxy-Cinema, S.A., has been founded, with a capital of 1,500,000 francs, as proprietor and exploiter of the new hall of that name. The directors are Henry Broadwater, Francis Pigueron, Auguste Taillan, Joseph Lamy and Adelqui Millar. At the general meeting of the shareholders of Pathe-Baby, under the chairmanship of the president, Paul Gravier, assisted by M. Mutignon and the representative of the Societe Coloniale de Banque (the twr • largest shareholders), a net profit of 3,024,751 francs W'as declared. Last year’s profit (1928-29) Was 2,828,880 francs. The business in cameras and raw stock film has been Weaker than it Was last year, but better business has been done in projectors and film hire. Serious New Patents War Klangfilm-Tobis and Kinoton Difficulties (By Our Own German Correspondent, Fritz Mann ) As already reported, the Klangfilm-Tobis group has gained its point legally in three important lawsuits against the Kinoton, the only serious competitor of Tobis. The consequence of these decisions may upset the entire German "talker” trade. Not only Kinoton is affected, but also all the exhibitors Who have installed Kinoton machines — numbering over 200 exhibitors. Should the Klangfilm-Tobis take harsh measures against these exhibitors the whole trade might be thrown into confusion. It is therefore believed that drastic measures Will not be taken by the Klangfilm against these 200 Kinoton-wired cinemas and that a special arrangement will be come to. On the other hand, it is probable that the last legal steps have not yet been taken in this connection. Kinoton will go on producing and selling apparatuses in spite of the lost lawsuits above mentioned. They state that by an alteration in the construction of their machines they will guarantee the safety of their patents. The “ Beggar’s Opera ” Case The law'suit brought by Messrs. Brecht and Weill, authors, against Nero Film concerning the production of the " Beggar’s Opera ” has now been settled. The court rejected the claims of Brecht, the adapter of the old English piece. On the other hand, the court decided in favour of Mr. Weill, the composer, W’hose music is not permitted to be used. The position now is that the picture is almost completed with the music of Weill. It is expected, therefore, that Weill and Nero will come to some agreement. The picture, as is know'n, has been produced by Nero Film for Warner Bros., and has cost a round sum of RM. 1,000,000. Therefore, if the picture could not now be issued the Nero-Warner group would suffer serious logs. The lawsuit was instigated, as is known, by the German adapter of the English play, who alleged that Nero has spoiled their Work. Lothar Stark Retires Lothar Stark, the well-known German film importer and producer, has retired from his firm, the Lothar Stark Film Company, in Berlin, at the head of Which he has been for many years. Stark was not only a prominent importer, but also produced during the past year several pictures in collaboration With foreign firms. The firm of Lothar Stark is to go on under new management, While Stark himself intends to travel for the sake of studying foreign conditions. On his return he may perhaps resume his Work in Berlin. * * * * Richard Oswald, the well-known director, has just attained his fiftieth year, Oswald, Who has been connected with the German film for many years, produced his first picture, " Let There Be Light,” in 1920. * * * * Joe May, too, has now also reached his fiftieth birthday. May is still longer connected With the German film production than Oswald. After having directed pictures of his own firm he was a supervisor for Ufa, and under his management " Home Coming ” and " The Last Company ” Were made. * * * * The Staaken Studio Company has broken down and its bankruptcy has been announced. Production Fillip in Hollywood Lively Studio Activity (By Our Own Hollywood Correspondent, Heinrich Fraenkel). Production is picking up again, and, as a matter of fact, during the week ended yesterday five pictures were completed. Thirty-two are in course of production and nine are now in the last stage of preparation, in spite of the fact that this time of the year is regarded as “ the slow season,” when most of the studios usually slow down until ready to start on their full schedules again early in the New Year. F.N.-Warners Busy on Multilinguals The First National studio usually closes down entirely at this time of the year (from October to the end of the year). This year, however, there is considerable activity on the lot. As many as eighteen foreign versions are in production, six in the Spanish language, six in German and six in French. Most of these productions will be finished by the end of the year, when the regular production schedule starts again. By the way, I understand that the practice of the annual “ closedown ” during the last three months of the year is to be discontinued by Warner-First National next year. Milestone’s Next After the big success of " All Quiet,” there has been considerable speculation out here as to what would be Lewis Milestone’s next production and, of course, there was heavy dickering for his services. Ultimately, Milestone’s former boss, Howard Hughes, has secured the “All Quiet” director for “ Front Page,” the famous stage success. Milestone, back from his European vacation, is expected here soon to start preparations on the new picture, the screen script of which may be written by the authors of the stage play. Sternberg Sticks To Cast The other day Joe von Sternberg was good enough to show me his new picture, “ Morocco,” which has only once before been privately viewed, and is to be released shortly. The picture, which will very soon be presented to the British market, is certain^ one of the most interesting products of the season. Obviously the director must have been well satisfied with his leads, as both of them, Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper, are to be co-starred in Sternberg’s new production just about to start. He tells me the picture’s tentative title is “ Dishonoured,” and that Vienna of 1916 provides the background of the story. Britisher Opposite Marion Davies Marion Davies, just back from her European vacation, is again on the M.-G.-M. lot, preparing for her new vehicle “ The Bachelor Father.” For the title part the English actor Austin Smith is being imported from London. Apart from him, Ralph Forbes is to be featured with the star. David Torrence, by the way, is also to have a part in the production. Doug. Reaches For Moon After lengthy preparation and most careful rehearsals extending over several weeks, Douglas Fairbanks has at last embarked on his new production, which is called “ Reaching for the Moon.” Bebe Daniels has the female lead, and an important part has just been assigned to Jack Mulhall.