The Film Daily (1945)

Cr*\ DAILY Thursday, July 12, ISJ Raw Sto(k Shortage Halts Spanish Films (Continued from Page 1) Alexander said that the importation of American fihyis was adversely affected by the fact that producers of Spanish features alone can acquire leg-al permits to bring into Spain pictures from other countries, with American firms not being allowed to buy permits from producers not in active production. Alexander pointed out that the selling of rights to importation permits is entirely legal, with the requirement that the purchaser secure the signature of the minister of industry and commerce. "The outlook for American films is favorable in Spain if permits can be signed," Alexander asserted. Spain's Worst Shortage The foreign representative termed the raw stock shortage in Spain as the worst ever experienced by that 20untry's studios. He said that the Spanish film industry which had been obtaining 40 per cent of its raw stock from Germany, had this percentage out by half last year, now being down to zero. What stock the industry did not get from Germany it obtained from the United States and England. Before production ceased a month ago there were 16 pictures in production in Spain's studios. Alexander held that "it is tiine we should extend Spanish production a helping hand. If we did so," he said, "I have confidence we would break down restrictions against us." It was disclosed by Alexander that the Spanish government and producers are anxious to import talent and technicians working in American pictures in an effort to raise the standards of the nation's films. He expressed himself vigorously in favor of such a proposal. American motion picture funds are "virtually" frozen in Spain, Alexander reported. Spaniards "Crazy" for Pix Alexander described the Spaniards as "crazy" about screen entertainment, adding that American pictures were the ones possessing the greatest box-office strength, rolling up grosses out of all proportion to the native product. He said that "Going My Way" was enjoying record-breaking business in Spain. The picture is one of the three currently being released in Spain by Paramount-Mercurio Films, S. A., distributor for Paramount in that country which has been operating there since February. The others are "Union Pacific" Third of Town See '^Komance'' in Week. Charleston, W. Va. — M-G-M's "Thrill of a Romance,' finished up its week's run at the Capitol here with more than one-third of the population seeing the picture. It also broke all house records since GWTW, according to Charles A. Midelburg, owner and operator. FilMnsAwstke to Social Duties I Mitchell Credits it to Combat Photogs. (Continued yesterday. Exhibition facilities in all cheater-supporting communities for showing 01 special educational, scientific, news and organizational films, with a breadth of coverage comparable to our big metropolitan newspapers, were forecast by the Colonel. Other applications of the industry's new sense of public responsibility, Mitchell believes, will be in the field of interpretive reporting, increased use of movies for instruction in schools, churches, and industrial training programs. Exhibitor lack of confidence in the audience appeal of documentary films will be the principal drawback to expansion in this field, said Mitchell. He conceded some foundation for this feeling, citing poor attendance, compared with totals rolled up by Class A commercial pix at such service films as "Fighting Lady," and "Liberation of Rome." Part of this public indirference was attributed by the Colonel to inadequate exploitation by exhibitors. Documentaries Will Pay Exhibs. With the advantages of the tremendous advertising support given strictly entertainment features, Col. from Page 1) Mitchell believes the documentary type film will pay its exhibitors. He also expressed confidence that new types of instructive film, on such vaiied subjects as etiquette forms, make-up tor women, dancing and swimming, or "Film Forums" will prove to be commercially successful. The "Film Forum" he pictures as a movie discussion by prominent authorities of some question of public interest to be followed by audience discussion. "The goal for the motion picture industry is changing," the Colonel summed up, "from exclusive concerns with making money, providing entertainment, and avoiding corruption to making every sort of film available to every sort of audience." He lauded the combat photographer's technical job and his contribution to the war effort in ways which were not even foreseen. Combat footage put to use in incentive films for showing to war workers, as documentary proof of atrocities, and for general public distribution has rivaled its troop training value, he said. Kastner to Paris as Col. Manager for the Continent (Continued from Page 1) in an overseas film distribution capacity, will leave for Paris this week to take up his duties as Continental European manager for the company, it was learned yesterday. Kastner, formerly European manager for United Artists, came to Columbia 'from the OWI in March, 1943 as special home office representative in the foreign department. Five months later he fulfilled OWI's request for his services again in the European theater of operations. He is credited with having organized OWI's United Newsreel, a compilation of the five American reels, which is exported weekly to all countries outside the Western hemisphere. and "The Cat and the Canary." Three other Paramount films are being prepared for release in Spain. It was estimated by Alexander that about 130 American features entered Spain last year. The Spanish studios turned out about 48 pictures in 1944 as compared with some 60 the year before, he said. The number of theaters in operation in Spain today was given as 3,400 with a total seating capacity of 4,000,000. Admission prices currently in effect range from 50 cents to $1.50. Alexander was accompanied to this counti-y by Peter Couret of Paramount-Mercurio. Both men are here to confer with George Weltner, head of Paramount International, in advance of conferences with Robert Schless, .Paramount division manager for Continental Europe, the Near East and French North Africa, who will arrive here soon. Protest Bamberger Tele Tower Would Lower Values (Continued from Page 1) high elevations were aired at a hearing before the District of Columbia's zoning commission yesterday. An indignant delegation from Chevy Chase, zoned residential neighborhood in which the Bamberger Broadcasting Co. proposes to erect a new tele-transmitter and tower, testified that construction of the station would devaluate their property, endanger their children by increasing traffic, and open the way for "further violation of the zoning restrictions." Fear was expressed by home owners ill the area that general commercialization would follow any relaxation of the restrictions, which they considered construction of the station would entail. Other objections included even such quickly refuted ones as the fear that the tower might collapse in a storm, that reception on neighborhood radio sets would be impaired and the operation of other electrical apparatus interfered with by the transmitter. These arguments were refuted by Harry S. Wender, attorney, and witness for Bamberger. They also showed architect's drawings of the proposed building, grounds and tower, designed in harmony with the prevailing style of neighboring homes in anticipation of the charge of ugliness. Necessity for building at a considerable elevation to insure good service was explained, and the scarcity of high ground in Washington was cited. Possible unsightly or glaring lighting at night was discussed. The dele UA Sets Sales Parley! For Hub. Cleve. Phil! (Continued from Page 1) yesterday by Carl Leserman, gene sales manager. Harry L. Gold, Ea| ern sales manager, will supervise gatherings. Initial session will be held at j Statler Hotel, Boston, Saturday a Sunday, with branch managers fr(| Boston, New Haven and Buffalo ; tending. On July 21-22, a meeti will be held in Cleveland for perse nel from Cincinnati, Cleveland, I troit and Pittsburgh, with Distr Manager Jack D. Goldhar in i tendance. Last meeting is to be held in Ph adelphia, July 28-29 for sales staffs from New York, Philadelphia a Washington. Sam Lefkowitz, distr manager, will attend the Boston a: Philadelphia conferences. Johnston in Los Angeles Mum on Joining MPPDA West Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAT} Hollywood — Eric A. Johnsto president of the United Stat Chamber of Commerce, reached L Angeles late yesterday and was n immediately available for comme: regarding his plans as far as MPPD was concerned. gation felt that the CAA requir ment calling for side lights and blinking red top light would he o fensive, and that the night operatic of the station would be disturbing noisy. George C. Thomas, consulting e gineer, and J. R. Poppele, chief e gineer of New York's WOR, testifi* that no noise would be heard ou side the building and that the ligh are not glaring, citing the Washinj ton Monument as an example of structure lighted according to CA regulations. Another witness appearing fi Bamberger was Eugene S. Thoma sales manager, who described the a< vantages to Washingtonians of o taining the best possible televisic service. 4,045 WB Employes Still Wear Uniform, Of 4,364 Warner employes who have gone into the armed services. 4,045, or more than 25 per cent of the company's entire personnel, are still on active duty, a checkup reveals. Up to last week, 319 had been honorably discharged with the majority going back to work for the company. Sixty-one men have been killed in action and eight reported missing. Breakdown of those called to service shows 784 from the Burbank studio, with the balance coming from theaters, exchanges, home office and other branches of the Warner organization.