The Film Daily (1937)

12 THI DAILY Friday, Dec. 31, 1937 Al Ult troi is tiln . ing (sen Icon [strc C id 5al chu ia) ie\> pho |rt< \U not use A lei -••a new mai Gre wit flyi C pre Co.. atei tha iv !lr>g and E Mic title by ' ... ..-ha Sen mei stal L ion )f ; vill 101 s. IV lett 1WJ con ate fin SOl( Fre sta REPORT 20TH-F0X MAY TAKE LONDON THEATER London (By Cable)— With Warners building their own "show window" here on the site of historic Daly's, it is reported on Wardour Street that 20th Century-Fox also is contemplating a "show window" move. Theater mentioned is the Gaumont, in Haymarket. The American company is said discussing a deal for the house with Gaumont British. if Happy New Year! if American Films in Lead in Germany and Hungary Berlin (By Cable)— Of the 136 motion pictures shown in Germany during the first 10 months of the year, 33 were of American origin, j Other imports were: from Austria] 11; from France six; from Czechoslovakia three; from England two; j from Hungary two, and one each from Italy, Poland and Sweden, j German productions shown during the same period were 55. The Foreign Field ♦ ♦ News Flashes rrom All Parts of the Globe ♦ ♦ SUPPER SHOW FILMS FOR BRITAIN'S INNS? Budapest (By Cable) — During the first ten months of the current year, 163 motion pictures were shown in Hungary. Of this number 78 were imported from America, 26 were Hungarian, four Hungarian dubbed in German, 25 German, 10 French, seven Austrian, six English, three Czechoslovakian, two Polish, one Swiss and one Italian. if Happy New Year! if Loew's London Theaters Reports Gain In Cash Montreal — Loew's London Theaters finished the year with $67,000 cash on hand, compared with $38,592 at the end of the fiscal year, Aug. 26, President M. Aylesworth informed shareholders at the annual meeting. Chance for dividend on the common was remote as the preferred dividend is four years in arrears, he informed a shareholder. The company serves the cinemagoers of London, Ont. if Happy New Year! if Europe's Largest Theater London (By Cable) — The Gaumont State Theater, Kilburn, just opened, is claimed to be the largest theater in Europe. It seats 4,000, cost $1,000,000 and has an entrance hall 230 feet deep. if Happy New Year! if "China Strikes Back" Booked Garrison Films announces that Century Circuit has booked "China Strikes Back" in 12 houses. India's Ban on Pictures Bombay — -Of the motion pictures whose showing in India has been agitated against by the Motion Picture Society of India only "India Speaks" has been banned, and the ban against that picture extends throughout the British Empire. Agitation against other pictures, it is stated, was based by the M. P. Society of India upon reports concerning the films published in European newspapers, without the productions having been seen by members of the Society. As a counter-move to further agitation against foreign pictures, representatives of the film industry in England, both foreign and Indian, will hereafter be admitted to active membership in the Bombay Board of Film Censors. Other films agitated against were "The Charge of the Light Brigade", "Elephant Boy", "Lives of a Bengal Lancer" pn'! "Kid Millions," none of which have been banned. and the Regal, Putney (an ABC house) give the city nearly 7,500 more seats for film patrons. French Films in Cuba Havana — In four years the importation of French films into Cuba has increased by almost 250 per cent. In 1934-35, five French productions were imported; in 1935-37, seven, in 1936-37, 11, and for the current releasing season, 17. Von Stroheim in French Film Paris — Erich von Stroheim is making another appearance in French films. He is prominent in the cast of "L' Affaire Lafarge" which Pierre Chenal is directng with Marcelle Chantal and Pierre Renoir in the leading roles. 7,500 More Seats for London London — Three new theaters just opened in London suburbs, the Granada, Clapham (Bernstein circuit), the Odeon, Acton (Odeon circuit), U. S. Musicals in India Bombay — The appeal of foreign musical pictures in India is limited, mainly because the majority of Indians are not conversant with European music. Such American musical pictures as "Swing Time", "Born to Dance", "Gold Diggers of 1937", "Three Smart Girls", "Maytime", "When You are in Love" and "Shall We Dance" have enjoyed satisfactory and profitable runs in Bombay, while "Stage Struck", "The Gay Desperado", "The Dancing Pirate", "Champagne Waltz." "That Girl from Paris" and "The King and the Chorus Girl" have made a lesser, but still fair, profit. The latter list is good for a week's run in Bombay, the former for two weeks. Many others shown here are worth a three days' run, but under renting conditions are booked for a week and their returns have consequently not been satisfactory. Mex. Films a la "Westerns" Mexico City — Plans for the early production of a series of three charro pictures along the lines of the American Western yarn are disclosed to The Film Daily by Jose Bohr. They call for Emilio Fernandez to star in all three of them. There is a possibility of the star himself megaphoning the entire series. Bohr is now casting about for a suitable type to play the feminine lead opposite Fernandez. Drops Two Newsreel Theaters London — Capital and Provincial News Theaters has withdrawn from operation of the Cinenews theaters at Portsmouth and Tooting, which proved financially unsuccessful. The properties have been sub-leased. U. S. Pix Lead in Greece, With Percentage of 71.3 Fair Exchange Ft. Worth, Tex. — Robert O'Donohoe, manager of the Majestic Theater; and Charles Carden, publicist at the Worth Theater, have swapped jobs at their request. Both theaters are part of Interstate Circuit's group here. Athens (By Cable)— Of the 338 talking motion pictures shown in Greece from October, 1936, to May, 1937, 241, or 71.3 per cent were of American origin — practically the same percentage as for the preceding year. Germany was second with 60 pictures, France next with 25. A large percentage of the American pictures shown were dubbed in French, although practically all of the "action" films distributed to the popular-price theaters were in the original English. Some of the higher type of productions were shown alternately in English and Frenchdubbed, with very little variation in box-office receipts. Seven English Features To Be Produced in Italy London (By Cable) — Seven English pictures will be produced at the new Tirrenia studios in Italy, according to a deal just consummated by Signor Foranzo, head of Tirrenia, and Mario Zampi, producer of Two Cities Films, Ltd., of London. The first, "Thirteen Men and a Gun," went into production this week, with H. Marion Crawford playing the lead. Titles of the other six are: "At Midnight the Seventh," "Source of Irritation," "The Golden Cup," "Ladies in Waiting," "Surrender of Fifi" and "Byron in Italy." Arrangements have also been completed for distribution of six of the pictures with Sound City Distributors. London (By Cable) — Film entertainment along with the suppe: shows in licensed inns in the London area is a probability for th; near future. Innkeepers are soon t : be circulated with a letter settin;; forth the advantages to be derive! from such films shows. The lette1 will offer a talkie show of approximately two hours in length, with intervals for other forms of entertain ment to suit the requirements o: the inn-keeper. Films have already been shown in licensed inns in West Ealing and i; is stated that the managers of i number of roadhouses are considering giving film entertainment alon;, with their supper shows. If th: scheme proves profitable, it is understood that it will be extended t the provinces. The originator of the scheme, lit, Barnett of Isleworth, Middlesex, intends to make a start by employin : portable projectors. He has the assurance of the Middlesex CountCouncil that no objection can b; raised to the free showing of noninflammable films at inns and tha' further, the Council is not concerned with the method used in irviting the public to attend such entertainment. Before orders are accepted, premises will be tried ou' free of charge, for acoustical qualities. if Happy New Year! if French Prize Films Paris (By Cable) — The grand prii for a motion picture was awarde: at the International Exposition i Paris to the French feature, "L; Mort du Cygne", produced and d rected by Jean Benoit-Levy who wa? also the producer of "La Mateinelle". First prizes for a short sut' ject went to J. C. Bernard fci "Metamorphose", Maurice Clocbi for "Symphonie Classique", and , C. Bernard for "L'Effort Algerian1 Jean Painleve and Dr. Commando' won first prizes for scientific short! — Painleve with "Voyage dans '. Ciel" and Dr. Commandon wit' "Phagoyse". if Happy New Year! if Duke Orders Tele Set London (By Cable)— The Duke cl Sutherland will probably be th; first private individual to own oil of the new Baird television se£fi which project a picture on a screer 8 ft. by 6 ft. He intends installing his set at Sutton Place, his hoiH near Guildford, Surrey. Raps Quebec Censors Montreal — Film censorship in the province of Quebec is condemned as "illogical, inconsistent and unintelligent" by Prof. H. D. Brunt, head of the department of English at Macdonald College. Prof. Brunt charges the present censorship "destroys the sense of whole pictures." 1