The Film Daily (1945)

Wednesday, September 26, 1945 ^3^ UK May Freeze Funds, Restrict U. S. Films (Continued from Page 1) freezing of currency, which may occur by Oct. 1, and the second is that restrictions on fihn imports be 'J instituted. In any event, the feeling i S that some action will have to f ol■_^ iv the lend-lease discussions. Pix Spokesmen Describe UK Position as "Dilemmci" Apprised yesterday of cable advices from London regarding the possible measures which are apparently looming in Britain to adjust the U. S. film position there, wellinformed trade channels along New York's Film Row took an understanding view of what they termed the "British dilemma." Nobody knows on this side of the Atlantic just how the lend-lease conversations are pi-ogressing, but Britain may already feel from reports she has received that the talks "are running against her," it was pointed out. Britain, the commenting channels cited, hasn't the money to throw around, because of the severe strain the war has placed upon her. If Britain freezes fxinds again, it will throw all her financial machinery out of gear, and if she restricts U. S. film imports, her theaters will ij suffer drop in revenues. This, in j[ brief, is the dilemma. Two Orient Offices Are Re-opened by Warners Advices were received at Warners home office yesterday that two more managers of the company's branches in the Orient have been located and found safe, and both are resuming operations immediately. A. L. Kaplan, Shanghai manager, reported, that he is aga.in in shape to start activity in his territory, and E. Moses flashed word from Singapore that he was liberated from a prison camp recently by the British and is again open for business. Moses declared that the Singapore offices are in good shape, with 25 pre-war films on hand. Kaplan has about the same amount of product. Ben Cohen Returns Ben Cohen, former manager at ;he College, New Haven, and for nany years in the Loew's foreign lervice in India and South Africa, las returned to New Haven and will ake a position in the home office. "Lcitc George Apley" Bought by 20th-Fox Twentieth Century-Fox has added the Max Gordon Broadway hit "The Late George Apley" to its list of bestseller and stage play properties. Based on the John P. Marquand Pulitzer Prize-winning book, the play was written by Marquand and George S. Kaufman. French Pix Talks Ai New l^onrf urther Settlement Capital/ Trade Are Reported ^'Bitter // Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Washington — Considerable bitterness has again outcropped in official circles here as a result of deterioration of the discussions in Paris regarding the peacetime status of commercial U. S. product in France. Reports that French producers and their supporters in the provisional Government of Gen. Charles DeGaulle have reverted to virtually the original onerous proposal that approximately 54 per cent of playing time he accorded to French product, and the remaining 46 per cent be allocated to American, British and Russian attractions, evoked strong criticism yesterday, not only in the State Department but in other branches of the U. S. Government. When Gen. DeGaulle paid his visit to Washing'ton several weeks ag'o, assurances were g-iven that the U. S. film situation would be ironed out. After his return home, deliberations commenced, with American interests hopeful that their product wotild be accorded treatment corresponding to the still-extant provisions of the pre-war trade agreement between the U. S. and France. That expectation is, at present, far from being realized as the obstinate French production factions and their Government proponents apparently insist upon seven out of 13 weeks' playing time being given to native product, and the remaining six weeks to American, Russian and British pictures. This ressurection of the same old proposal which existed prior to the DeGaulle visit brought from 'a spokesman yesterday the declaration that the situation is "an insult to American intelligence." While the State Department maintained diplomatic silence on French developments, there were, nevertheless, unofficial echoes indicating rising tension and sharp impatience. While negotiations in Paris were deadlocked, Fayette W. AUport, MPPDA's representative headquartering in London, was continuing conferences -with officials of the Spanish Government, aimed at favoraWe importations of U. S. films. Tall(s Reported (Continued from Page 1) counsel, nothing was determined that ' would curtail or halt the preparation for the trial which is scheduled for Oct. 8. Work on the preparation will continue, it was reported. I Discussions yesterday reportedly were based on the documents on the ' effect of divorcement which a group j of company presidents and attorneys : were said to have left with Clark in Washington last week. It was re ! ported that the distributors will sub i mit more data to Clark. Navy Day Tie-ups for Drive via J75 Ships While special events will blanket the oncoming Victory Loan campaign charted by Oscar A. Doob, campaign director for the industry's WAC, particular stress will be given to at least five salient days, he declared yesterday. Although the drive span is Oct. 29 to Dec. 8, inclusive, Navy Day on Oct. 27 will be used as a springboard for the campaign "kick-off," with the Navy agreeing to allow the Victory Loan to capitalize on the elaborate plans formulated for its observance. The Navy's plans for Navy Day, calling as they do for the assignment of 375 combat ships to put in at Eastern and inland ports for the celebration, open the way for wide industry drive tieups, it was pointed out yesterday. In New York, for instance, the Navy's plans call for 45 lighting ships, including the battleship Missouri on whose decks the formal Jap surrender was signed in Tokyo Bay, to anchor in New York Harbor. The battleship New York and the carriers Enterprise, Monterey and Croatan also will visit New York. President Truman is expected to visit the city and participate in the Na-vy Day ceremonies on the Missouri. On Oct. 2'9. which is the campaign's opening day. the Army is going all-out to support the Victory Loan's advent, and will stage parades from Coast-to-Coast with vast turnouts of military personnel and equipment. Doob has already urged showmen to make these pai-ades "triumphant Bond marches." The day is to be known as "National Victory Loan Parade Day." The next salient day on the WAC special e-s'ents program is Nov. 11 — Armistice Day. Plans are now in work and will be announced shortly, as will the details for the observance of Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 39, for effecting Bond sales. What is characterized as the "climax day of the climax drive," Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Day, will be Free Movie Day throughout the nation, with a record number of theaters participating. j Council of Ministers Okay Italian Decree on Films (Continued from Page 1) ican distributors was given last week by the Council of Ministers, the State Department was notified here yesterday. The decree has not yet been published in Rome, but publication is only a formality, according to George Y. Canty, State Department pix officer. There is no quota on American pix imports, nor is there any requirement that pix for Italy must be dubbed in that country. Export from Italy is free, and there is no discriminatory taxation. Blumberg, Seideiman On New GFD Deal (Continued from Page 1) new pact. GFD distributes Universal product in Great Britain. Trip will be Blumberg's first visit to England and it is expected that he and Seideiman may also visit Universal Continental offices on their trip. Futter Action Motion Postponed to Friday Defendants' motion to dismiss Walter A. Futter's $100,000 damage action against Aaron Shapiro, operating as United Screen Attractions; Mascot Pictures, and Perfecto Amusement Corp., operator of the World Theater, yesterday was postponed to Friday in N. Y. Supreme Court. Show "Great Morgan" Oct. 2 M-G-M will tradeshow "The Great Morgan" in all exchange centers on Oct. 2. The national release date has not been set as yet. M-G-M TRADE SHOWS "YOLANDA AND THE THIEF" NEW YORK -NEW JERSEY and LOS ANGELES TERRITORIES ONLY NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY MONDAY, OCTOBER 8 ro'ofilSbP m M-G-M SCREEN ROOM — 630 NINTH AVENUE LOS ANGELES MONDAY, OCTOBER 8 • 2:00 P.M. AMBASSADOR THEATRE— AMBASSADOR HOTEL