The Film Daily (1948)

esday, August 31, 1948 w DAILY ly Johnston Seeks . S. Protest vs. Quota (Continued from Page 1) ■ Anglo-American cooperation and I removal of antagonisms essen1 to the betterment of trade relans on both sides of the Atlantic. Johnston said he discussed the 3adi3lb?lo-U. S. film problem with irolt=r/ilson, BOT president and Arthur Rank, and that both amed favorable to a settlement of Eric A. Johnston, who on Sunday :d a two-hour talk with Harold :ilson, BOT president, reported yesVday that the results were "inconisive." Johnston expects a further seting with Wilson if he returns London on his way home. Terences. He suggested making a ality of the MPAA-BFPA Joint )mmittee as one approach to the oblem and foresaw a possible meetar within a few months. Until now, Johnston declared, he ,s not asked for a reduction in the ■ K. quota, adding that he might , a later stage. iThe British industry and Govern2nt, Johnston emphasized, should cide whether their policy was for protected home market or a free )rld market. Latter viewpoint was detailed in 1 earlier statement when Johnston served that a peaceful agreement tween the U. S. and British indusies was the only alternative to an l-out film war. "It is a fact, which we people of the film industry on both sides of the Atlantic should recognize that we have only touched 10 per cent of the world population ■ with our movies," he said. "With the great market to be reached of the remaining 90 pei' cent of the world, there is room for expansion for both the American and the British movie business. i "There is every reason for sane cooperation between Hollywood and the film-makers here, but the British must realize they cannot have both protection for their home industry and a free world market as well." Asked a series of questions as to hether U. S. companies would take ;tion to protect their market here, hether a decision has been made 1 a single distribution setup, hether a joint committee will be it up, whether his visit has brought )operation nearer, if there is any ■uth to reports that Americans will an Anglo-U. S. dual bills, or hether U. S. action will await his jturn to New York, Johnston said, [ can't answer today. I may be able ) do so after tomorrow." He had nothing to reveal or conjal, Johnston emphasized, "but we ave done nothing." During his visit last March, John,on claimed, all British officials adlitted the ad valorem duty was a listake and should not have been ■vied. He was doubtful that British earn WHO'S WHO IN HOLLYWOOD JOHN GAGE. Director. Born in Paris, France, Dec. 26, 1912. Educated in ■^ France and England. Served a seven-year theatrical apprenticeship with Katharine Cornell and Guthrie McClintic as stage manager. Directed several seasons of summer stock. Came to California in 1941 as dialogue director for Rene Clair. After this assignment, he served as dialogue director on "No Time For Love," "Flight For Freedom." A term in the service interrupted his Hollywood career. Upon his return, he was assigned as dialogue director on "Double Indemnity," "My Reputation," "God Is My Co-pilot," "Hotel Berlin," "A Stolen Life," "Sud denly It's Spring," "Sister Kenny," "Mourning Becomes Mlfce^K" % J Electra." In addition to his association with Rosalind Russell as dialogue coach, he has worked with Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck, Claudette Colbert and other stars. He is under contract as a director to Independent Artists ^^^^HI^HI^PI (Rosalind Russell-Frederick Brisson-Dudley Nichols company). Miss Russell gave him his first chance as a director in her starring vehicle, "The Velvet Touch," produced by Independent Artists, released through RKO. Stands six feet tall, weighs 170 pounds. Eyes, brown; hair, brown 18TopBra(l(etRK0 Pix Ready— Depinet (Continued from Page 1) shooting in the near future. He added that the 1949 production schedule is practically complete. Depinet said. "Despite world conditions RKO had passed through its roughest waters and the future looks much brighter." There is careful planning at the studio, Depinet said, to get fullest dollar value. Proper consideration is being given to showmanship and the box office viewpoint in every forthcoming film. Depinet expressed satisfaction on how well the studio was functioning under Sid Rogell, C. J. Tevlin and Bicknell Lockhart. "Howard Hughes is making important contributions to the present and future plans of RKO that will be gratifying both to exhibitors and the great RKO family throughout the world," Depinet stated. ings in the U. S. this year would reach a million dollars. Johnston still expects to leave for Paris tomorrow but he may stay for a longer period, he said. He is holding a general press conference here this evening. At separate meetings yesterday, Johnston talked with KRS and CEA toppers but the subjects of these talks were not revealed. Today he will continue his discussions with British representatives of American distributors. Sir Alexander Korda, in a letter to the Manchester Guardian, yesterday accused Johnston with being "illinformed" about a reported boycott of British films in the U. S. Taking exception to Johnston's statement that the boycott was "not doing much real harm," Korda said that on the contrary his American distributors and a large American circuit advised him that "our pictures cannot be shown in their cinemas because of the boycott." MPAA office here said the Korda letter is being studied and a statement may be issued. 18 Per Year Capacity For U. K. Teclinirolor (Continued from Page 1) have been indefinitely postponed, Harrison replied to the query on how soon Technicolor would establish a Continental lab. Whatever bottlenecks in print producing now exist will be broken within six montiis, Harrison assured the trade piress. He returns to England in about six weeks. Admissions Taxes Up; Licensing Taxes Down (Continued from Page 1) with $14,216,000 from 28 states in the previous year. Fiscal 1946 was $12,384,000 for 27 states, with the 1945 total only $10,332,000 also for 27 states. The license and 'privilege tax collections in 33 states amounted to only $3,501,000 in fiscal 1948, compared with $4,010,000 a year earlier and $4,201,000 in 34 states in fiscal 1946. Largest admissions tax take of any of the states was reported for the state of Washington, with a tally of $5,434,000. Next was Ohio, with $2,601,000, followed by Kentucky, with $1,555,000. Also over the million-dollar mark were Idaho, with a total of $1,004,000 including receipts from coin-operated amusements license fees, Nevada and New York. Total tax collection by the states rose from $6.7 billion in fiscal 1947 to $7.9 billion, a jump of 17 per cent. McCarthy's 'Green Promise' Scheduled for RKO Release (Continued from Page 1) RKO covers only "The Green Promise" it is understood that future McCarthy pictures were discussed for release by Howard Hughes. The new company plans to make three pictures annually. ; My Appreciation To The Newspaper And Radio Critics GEORGE FOLSEY Director of Photography ^^ "GREEN DOLPHIN STREET" (MGM)