The Film Daily (1948)

12 Tuesday, May 18, 19481 Selznick-Korda in (Continued from Page 1) color. Filming of the first will be started at one of Korda's studios in September, and the others are scheduled for production at intervals of two to three months. (Korda has another deal for distribution of his British-made product in this country by 20thFox. At the time it was announced, this arrangement called for an unspecified number of films to be made over a period of years— also not specified. Two features have been released under this pact, with four more scheduled for 1948 release.) Selznick to Supply Stars Stars for the Selznick-Korda productions will be supplied by Selznick, principally from those under contract to his companies, while the films will be produced and directed by British producers associated with Korda, including Carol Reed, Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, Sydney Gilliat, Frank Launder, Anthony Kimmins, Anthony Asquith, Anatole deGrunwald, Zoltan Korda and others, at the producer's Shepperton and Isleworth studios in England. Top British film and theater names will be supplied by Korda. Selznick may make available other stars in addition to top names on his player roster, which includes, among others, Gregory Peck, Joseph Cotten, Jennifer Jones, Dorothy McGuire, Valli, Shirley Temple, Louis Jourdan, Robert Mitchum, Robert Young and Guy Madison. Contract provides for various methods of consultation between Selznick and Korda on scripts, editing, and all other phases of production, looking toward giving the films widest possible appeal for American audiences. Stories tentatively agreed upon includes Joseph Conrad's "An Outcast of the Islands;" Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities," starring Peck, and produced in Technicolor; Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the D'Ubervilles," to star Miss Jones, with Technicolor production-direction by Reed and "The Third Man," by Graham Greene, also with Reed as producerdirector. Under consideration are Daphne du Maurier's "The King's General," Jules Verne's "Around the World in 80 Days," Thomas Mann's "The Magic Mountain," and Aldous Huxley's "Point Counterpoint." Commenting on the deal Selz Pura. Tele Proils. To Bo Biz in IV. Y. Albany — Paramount Television Prods,, Inc., Los Angeles, chartered under California laws, has certified to the Secretary of State that it will do business in this state. The corporation is capitalized at $25,000 in $1 shares. Paul Raibourn is president. The corporation will deal in television equipment and service radio and television broadcasting stations. Exhibitors Oppose Youngstoivn Plan to Bihe Amusement Tax Rate from Three to 10 P. C. Youngstown, O. — Proposal of Councilman John W. Barber that the city's amusement tax rate be boosted from three to 10 per cent is being opposed by local theater operators. Exhibitors point out that 80 per cent of Youngstown's ticket tax receipts are collected by five downtown houses. Thus far, it is emphasized, theaters have absorbed the levy, but that would be impossible if the tax is increased, they claim. Theatermen hold business has fallen off in Pittsburgh because of that city's 10 per cent rate, and they fear the same result here if Council approves Barber's plan. Theaters will lose patronage and the city will suffer in loss of revenue, exhibitors warn. Pic Employes for Theater Partners Hit (Continued from Page 1) the* lookout for violations or court actions that might tend to invalidate decision, especially for any action that might harm independents. Television in talking stage with board postponing subject for further study before arranging for theater and television executives to meet for work on common problems. Trueman Rembusch, Indiana ATO prexy, read report on television repurcussions as affecting theater. William Ainsworth, Allied head, presided with 17 board members attending. Exhibitor to Test Video Pickup of Newsreel (Continued from Page 1) tractee for the 20th-Fox reel, he is privileged to use it in his house, and that if he is willing to pay costs of recording the aired version in order to get a quicker theater release, it is his concern only. He claims the subject matter of the daily television versions and the twice weekly theater reels are the same. Plan will be demonstrated at a special showing for the trade, with the use of the air reel before a regular theater audience to follow. Nicholson believes he is covered because the project will not be advertised, nor will an extra admission charge be made. EK Safely Slock Near (Continued from Page 1) greater resistance to moisture and humidity, as well as projection quality equal to nitrate film in screen steadiness and appearance. Eastman, he revealed, has done considerable experimental work with the new material to test it as a possible substitute for cellulose nitrate stock in theatrical films. In addition to the experiments, Fordyce reported, the new film has been in limited commercial trade use in exchanges in different parts of the country. Safety stock is a new, improved high acetyl acetate type which in 1946 replaced acetate propionate safety film support. Essentially, the new film is made by retaining chemical acteyl groups which in the earlier process were washed away. Tivoli Defendants Would Strike Portions of Bill (Continued from Page 1) for Interstate Circuit, Texas Consolidated Theaters and 12 distributor defendants. Notice also was filed that depositions for the case will be taken in Dallas on June 2, and on June 4, depositions will be taken in a similar action against the same defendants, brought by I. B. Adelman, operator of the Delman Theater, Houston, and president of Tivoli Realty. nick said: "The freezing of American film revenues in Britain has created a complex situation for the American companies. As I see it there are two methods of coping with this situation. The first is the invasion of the British Isles by Hollywood picture-makers, in effect producing Hollywood films in England with whatever talent Hollywood can spare. And we must bear in mind that Hollywood does not have nearly enough first-rate talent for its own purposes. 'The second method is the fostering of the great producing talents of England in a cooperative effort, helping to so shape their films as to ffive them great appeal for American audiences. "I have chosen the latter course. With the stories and stars that we have in mind, I strongly believe that some of the greatest box-office attractions of the future will be made in England under this plan, and without sacrificing any of the artistry which has distinguished efforts of these outstanding British film-makers." Korda in a statement declared: "I am quite sure that in the deal we have shaped and closed, we have found a pattern for true cooperation between American and British film-makers. Selznick's association with these pictures will be invaluable towards achieving for our films a real popularity in the American market." Milton A. Kramer, chairman of the board of SRO, was associated with Selznick in the negotiations. Theater Jobs Increase; Fewer with Studios (Continued from Page 1) was published yesterday. Estimated total number employed by the three branches at Jan 1 is 204,900. Of these, 162,000 were *a \king in exhibition, 29,500 in pf > tion and 13,400 in distribution. ' A year earlier, 161,000 worked in ex-: hibition, 31,000 in production and! 14,000 in distribution — a total of 206,000. During 1947 the industry's annual payroll increased by an estimated $15,195,171, to a record high of $533,049,240. Of this $314,326,690 was for production in Hollywood, $9,032,100 for production outside of Hollywood, including the non-theatrical field; $34,500,000 for distribution workers, and $175,190,450 for exhibition employes. In 1946, total annual payroll was estimated at $517,854,069, with the breakdown as follows: production in Hollywood, $299,361,610; production outside of Hollywood, $8,602,000; distribution, $35,000,000, and exhibition, $174,890,459. A reference book on the motion picture, the Year Book includes over 1,000 pages of data on films, motion picture companies, personnel, industry lists, credits of players, producers, directors, writers and cameramen, associations, theater circuits, and other phases of film making, distribution and exhibition. Motion picture industries of this country as well as a number of foreign countries are included in its scope. In addition there are special sections of the volume devoted to television as it affects films, the production and marketing of non-theatrical subjects, theater equipment and other allied material. Published each year since 1915, the 1948 edition marks the 30th annual edition of the book. : 90,000 See "Curtain" At Roxy in Five Days Despite Sunday's bad weather, the New York Roxy in the first five days rolled up an attendance above 90,000 for "The Iron Curtain," 20th-Fox said yesterday. Company added pic is showing strength in every situation without regard to size of town, section or type of house. STORKS Hartford — Lou Cohen, Poli manager, and Mrs. Cohen are grandparents for the second time. Daughterin-law, Mrs. George Cohen, gave birth to a baby girl. West Coast Bureau of THE FILM 'DAILY Hollywood — Ruby Keeler gave birth to a daughter, Kathleen, at California Hospital. The girl is the fourth child to Miss Keeler and John Lowe.