Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Mar 20, 1948)

March 20th, 1948 CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST | fp Page 3 RAY PRESENTS re the midst of all the deadly headlines, which are current, and the rumors of War, there was one ray of comfort, the headline which announced, “Britain Ends Heavy Tax On Hollywood Movies’. Now, the American Motion Picture Industry and the British Film Industry can carry on, together, increasing film trade for their mutual benefit. Harold Wilson, President of the British Board of Trade, made the announcement in the House of Commons, after conferring with a delegation of Hollywood producers, represented by Eric Johnston, President of the Motion Picture Association of America. They arrived at an agreement, which covers a four year period, affective June 14th, but which will be subject to review after a period of two years. With the withdrawal of the 75% ad Valorem tax, business in the Film Trade will continue as usual, and back to normal. Mr. Wilson stated that the tax “would be withdrawn as quickly as the necessary order could be made, and that the normal export of American films to Britain wall resume as soon as possible”. For the first two years, American producers may export to the United States $17,000,000 of their distribution and exhibition revenue, yearly, and they may, in addition, withdraw, dollar for dollar, the equivalent of the earnings on British Films in the United States. The $17,000,000 covers earnings from old films as well as new imports. ~The agreement provides for certain use of earmngs which cannot be exported, these carnings to be under the joint control of the British Government and the American producers. T has been a long and difficult arbitration, which fortunately, under the direction of Eric Johnston, representing the American producers side of the picture, has achieved results. We must not forget that the American producers received a great deal of support from the Kinematograph Exhibitors’ Association, the members being much opposed to the taxation and the curtailment of American Film Imports. Importation of costly stage stars did not solve the dollar problem for England, and increased the cost of Entertainment. England is in no better position, in fact in not as good a position, as in the United States, in keeping a steady supply of pictures for theatres, despite the fact, that Hollywood produces hundreds of pictures yearly The growth of the foreign-language theatres, and the foreign-language picture market, in the United States, reveals, that in Entertainment, there must be variety to keep the public’s interest. HE film has become a vital factor in international relationships. It has become a necessity for those nations who desire to maintain international trade and friendships. Only those nations, which believe in the divine right of kings, in absolute monarchy, or in dictatorship will legislate to exclude foreign films, for each exclusion reveals that they are not interested in letting their people see how the other half of the world lives. National barriers are destructive and not a constructive force; and the nation which utilizes such barriers, whether the restriction takes the form of a Government Controlled Monopoly, or High Tariffs, will find what they give, they will receive. They are establishing a code of behavior for other countries to follow and may, like Robespierre, be guillotined on the guillotine which they invented, NOY: that the British problem is on the way to being solved, Hollywood can again produce pictures, involving expenditures, to be recouped from the foreign market ; and I feel certain that what has happened will not only bring millions of dollars to Great Britain, through American Film and other Trade, but it will have a farreaching effect. Other countries, who have been playing around with the same idea and have hamstrung free trade, in relationship to Films, may be inspired to change their policies. Meanwhile, it is important for Hollywood not to rest on its laurels. Public Relations is-an important factor in Trade, particularly Film Trade, and Hollywood should take no country for granted. I am glad to hear of the film interest in Canada. I visited Phil Rosen, a pioneer producer, who has just finished producing a picture, “Sins Of The Fathers”, in Canada, at the Quebec Productions studio in St. Hyacinthe. Phil Rosen is at present in the Toronto General Hospital, following an illness. He told me that his shooting was completed in ten days and that he secured all of his players in Canada. “What a country for talent”, said Phil Rosen. His picture is now in the “cutting stage’, and needless to say, it did not cost a million dollars. When I asked him if he got what he wanted and lad a good picture, Phil Rosen laughed, “I think it is good, my associates think it is very good, but wait and see”, ; |, Resi rane most of the producers are becoming noticeably interested in Canada; and it will not be long before Canada will be on the map of the Screens of the World. Just as a little reminder to producers and distributors, and with all due consideration and respect to the American and British Trade press, which those in the Trade here have pleasure in reading, we have, in Canada, our own Film ‘Trade Press, to which the American and the British Film Industry, as well as the French Film Industry, have contributed very little, but received very much, : In considering foreign territories, public relations, good will, think about their respective Film Trade Press, don’t take them for granted, dou't feel that they are not necessary, remember, that in doing business in a foreign country, the people of that country think that their respective enterprises are very necessary, and while they are friendly toward competition, they are not so friendly that they invite extinction. — IXTY THOUSAND people were on the streets in Toronto, on Saturday, to welcome Barbara Ann Scott. International Women’s Skating Champion. Barbara Ann rece:ved the Freedom of the city, bestowed on her by His Worship, Mayor McCallum. ‘Toronto really let herself go and I do not believe that Barbara Ann will ever forget the warmth and the affection which went into her greeting. There is something about Barbara Ann which is truly Canadian, some intangible quality which comes from our soil, and which is as good as our wheat. “Nicholas Nickleby” was held over for a second week at the Odeon Fairlawn, and Odeon’s publicity department advised their patrons of the hold-over, and the postponement of “The Barber of Seville”, in the form of very attractive and intimate advertising. The display ad, in the press read, “Have you ever waited for The Barber? Now the Barber must wait’. ONALD COLMAN, in the Universal-International picture, “A Double Life’, held over for a second week at Loew’s Uptown, Toronto. Ronald Colman certainly does one of the best characterizations of his screen career in this picture, both in and out of the character of “Othello”. M-G-M’s “Cass ‘limberlane” is another (Continued on Page 9) A —