The Film Daily (1928)

w THE 5^^ DAILY Sunday, February 12, ) RAPID STRIDES ARE BEING MADE IN THE FOREIGN PIBLD. KEEP POSTED THROUGH "FOREIGN | MARKETS Foreign Markets NEWS FLASHES FROM FILM CENTERS ALL OVER THE GLOBE: MELBOURNE, LONDON, BERLIN, PARIS By JAMES P. CUNNINGHAM FRENCH QUOTA DECREE REGARDED AS LIKELY Paris — Quota restrictions for France now seem likely. The French quota scheme adopted by the official commission which has been investigating conditions of the domestic film industry, will form the basis of legislation, despite great opposition on the part of exhibitors and distributors. The work of the Commission closes this week, and M. Herriot, French Minister of Education, will present legislation immediately. Exhibitors and renters have been making strenuous efforts ever since the publication of details of the scheme to have it altered. At the last meeting of the Commission at the Ministry of Education the representatives of the exhibitors and renters tried to open the question, and M. Leon Gaumont read the text of a resolution proposing drastic changes. Herriot, however, refused to allow the question to be re-opened, and passed on to the next item on the agenda. French Exhibitors Seek Reduction of Taxes Paris— Minister of Education has been asked by the Syndicate of Exhibitors to slash taxes levied on picture theaters. Taxes in France are exceedingly high, running from 17 per cent to 40 per cent of gross receipts of Parisian houses, and from 15.10 per cent to 31.25 per cent for theaters in other cities and towns. 23 War Films London — British War Office, the Admiralty and Governments have aided English producers in the making of 23 war films during the past year. Five are uncompleted. Swiss Forging Ahead Geneva-^With SO firms now engaged m production or distribution in Switzerland, the industry in this countrv now represents an investment of about $8,000,000, with several new enterprises planned. United Theaters Launches Stock London — Operating ten theaters, United Picture Theaters. Ltd., has launched a $2,250,000 stock issue, for expansion. Application will be made to list $1,375,000 1st mortgage seven per cent debentures on the London Exchange. The remainder of the issue calls for 175,000 shares 10 per cent participating preferred ordinary shares of $5 par value. No Theater London — Within 30 miles of London, there is a town with a population of 30,000 without a theater. This town has a drawing population of 150,000. AUSTRALIAN TIEOP INVOLVES FOUR UNITS Sydnej' — British Dominions Proprietary, Ltd., sponsored by prominent Australians, has closed with Gaumont Co., Ltd., New Era Films, and British Instructional Films, whereby the former, a new company, will distribute British product in Australia and New Zealand, through a new system of exchanges which will be opened by British Dominions, giving British pictures an assured market in those English Dominions. Although the new company will handle all British films released bj' the above mentioned London companies, it will endeavor to arrange for Australian distribution of other English product. British and Ger. Capital in New Production Company Berlin — Representing German and English interests, divided evenly, Maxim Films has been formed here to produce and distribute. Half of the capital stock is controlled by Maxim and half by British Controlled Films, London. Major Rassam represents the English interests and Herren Galitzner and Ebner, the German group. Three Months for Ufa Film Leningrad — Ufa's health film, "The Way to Health and Beauty," has had a run of three months here. First Nat'l's Next Berlin — Lya Mara's second for Defu (First National's German production unit), will be "Sweetheart." Friedrich Zelnik will direct. Protest Against 48 Sheets London — Leeds exhibitors have asked the C.E.A. General Council to arrange with renters for the elimination of 48-sheet posters. New Quarters for Paramount Liverpool — Paramount is constructing a new exchange building here, ready for occupancy in June. NEW BRITISH QUOTA ACT IS HELP TO PRODUCERS London^ — A revival of the British producing industry is the result of the new Cinematograph Films Act, which became effective on Jan. 1. New companies are being formed rapidly and British investors no longer look askance at producing enterprises. Only a few months ago, it was almost impossible to raise monej-, but recently, the public subscribed $25,000,000 in flotation of eight new producing concerns. Gaumont's New House Ready; "Kings" Changed By ERNEST W. FREDMAN Editor "The Daily Film Rentei" London — "King of Kings" has opened for a run at the Philharmonic Hall, playing to three shows a da}\ It was originally at Covent Garden. Following complete remodeling, the Gaumont-British New Palace, at Bristol, has reopened. The old building was practically demolished. Abolition League met recently to devise ways and means of launching a vigorous campaign for complete abolition of the Entertainment Tax. R. H. Gillespie heads the committee. A. Wesson has been appointed Jury-Metro-Goldwyn district manager in Liverpool. Louis Blattner, producer, will have two units working by March 15. Rex Ingram, in charge of one, commences work at Nice in three weeks, while Lupu Pick, German producer, starts at the Elstree Studio, here, earlv in March. European Co. Raises $6,000 London — European M. P. Co. (Universal), at a special matinee, raised about $6,000 for London flood sufferers. NATURAL COLOR INVENTED BY FRENCIil Paris — Discovery of a new prti for taking and reproducing m. color pictures is claimed by Ru(> Berthon, French scientist, who worked on his invention since 19, Details are still closely gua, but, it is understood that the .^ stone of the apparatus is a cc nation of colored screens. Thi rangement can be adjusted,' claimed, to any machine without cial cost. Berthon states that ' possible during the performance natural color film, to revert su( ly to the original black and whilj production, or vice versa." ' Spanish Theater Merger Barcelona — Two important Sp theater companies have m« Companies involved are the \'erdaguer and L'Empressa-Id Negotiating for Studio Spa London — Harold Pontefract is ering for land at Garden City, a new three-stage studio will be for rental purposes. New Unit After Studio Berlin — Emelka, which tt purchased Sudfilm, is negotiatii a studio in Berlin. The cor raised its capital from three million marks. Another Chain Deal in Engi London — Seven Tyne-side th controlled by Thompson & ( Enterprises have been sold to named syndicate operating i South of England. New-Era Expanding London — Following announc of expansion. New Era Filir launched a $680,000 stock issui f RicHMOUNT Pictures Ing I 723 Seventh Avenue New York City, N. '^1 [ D. J. MOUNTAN, President ! Exclusive foreign representatives for Ray I art Pictures Corporation and other leading I independent producers and distributors. i Cablt Address: RICHPICSOC. PARIS Cable Address: DEEJAY, LONDC I Cable Address: RICHPIC. N. Y. I Exporting only the Best in Motion J^ictures