Motion Picture Daily (Oct-Dec 1936)

MOTION PICTURE DAILY 10 British Plan Unit to Show Child Films By BRUCE ALLAN London, Nov. 27. — A proposal for the formation of a non-commercial organization to acquire and distribute films for exhibition exclusively at children's matinees was approved at a Child Film Conference here, organized by the British Film Institute. Present were such representative members of the industry as Simon Rowson, T. H. Fligelstone, president of the C.E.A., Sidney Bernstein and Kenneth Nyman participating in the discussions. The official delegates, numbering over 90, included representatives of the Home Office, Board of Education and numerous bodies concerned with child welfare. Outstanding statements during the discussion included the pronouncement from S. W. Harris, delegate of the Home Office that, "The Home Office consider there is very little connection between films and young offenders. Juvenile delinquents may visit films, but are not made by them. The child may copy film methods but not motives." This view was endorsed by Dr. E. Manuel Miller, of the Child Guidance Council. Asks More Children's Shows Rowson, stating the trade viewpoint, asserted that 500 British theatres provided weekly children's matinees, entertaining 600,000 children for an aggregate cash taking of £300,000 per year. He suggested that the number of theatres running children's matinees could be trebled and the revenue increased to £1,000,000 a year, providing producers with £200,000 new revenue. Both Bernstein and Nyman, from personal experience, said the children's matinee at present was unremunerative, and supported the idea of a central body to supply special films. The American Museum of Modern Art was quoted as a model. NOW NATION-WIDE AIR EXPRESS SERVICE Everywhere in the U. S. ONE SYSTEM • ONE WAYBILL *Prompt pick-up and special deliver) of shipments at no extra charge doorto-door. *Fast service between swift trains and planes now extends Air Express speed to 23,000 Express offices. * Deliveries up to 2,500 miles overnight. *Low, economical rates. * Night and day service. * Shipments accepted prepaid, collect, or C. O. D. Call or phone any Railway Express office. niR EXPRES5 division of Railway express agency No Punches Pulled Toronto, Dec. 6. — Lucille Ryman, talent scout for Universal, didn't pull any punches when, after a visit here, she said she was unable to find "a beautiful girl with a beautiful voicei" suitable for a screen test, in Toronto. She said she may return here next March, for the Dominion Drama Festival in Ottawa. British Technicians Ask a Standard Pact London, Nov. 27.— The. Ass'n of Cine-Technicians, which has a membership of 1,200, has presented a draft of a standard agreement to 13 studios, three newsreel companies, and five laboratories. An official statement from the organization declares that there is a need for an agreement between studios and technicians similar to those existing with trade unions representing manual workers. The group asks : A working week in studios of 48 hours, with extra payment for work in excess and special remuneration, or time off, for Sunday work. Two weeks holiday a year with pay. Payment during illness. Fifty per cent participation in any profits made by the letting out of any technician's services. Screen credits for actually responsible technicians, instead of for heads of departments only. Minimum salary for juniors of £ 1 :15s per week, to eliminate unpaid "learners." As regards newsreel companies no "overtime" demand is made and, in laboratories, a 44-hour week is asked. Wage demands in laboratories range from £4 minimum to £6 :10s maximum. British Talking Net Is $13,000 for Year London, Nov. 27.— British Talking Pictures, Ltd., has shown a profit for the year of £2,634 against £3,962 the previous year. The trading profit was £1,638 against £815. During the year Associated Sound Film Industries, Ltd., an associated company, after disposing of the Wembley studio to Fox British Pictures, repaid to B. T. P. the balance of £44,666 first mortgage debentures, with accrued interest. This was used to pay a loan of £7,500 and also to pay to creditors 4s 6d on the pound, making a total payment of 13s on the nound. In the Associated Sound Film Industries report it is stated that the price received for the Wembley studio was £50,000. U. T. P. Will Pay No Dividend This Year London, Nov. 27. — A. E. de B. Jennings, chairman of United Picture Theatres, Ltd., told the annual meeting of stockholders that there is no prospect of a dividend this year, the deficit standing at £398,681. U. P. T. is managed by Gaumont British, which receives £10,000 per year, or five per cent of the gross takings, whichever is the larger amount. The company has already reported a trading profit for the year of £27,829 but a net loss, after debenture and other charges, of £13,636. Government Controls Films in Manchukuo By TETSUYA MORI Tokyo, Nov. 22. — Government control of a subsidized film industry for Manchukuo, long under discussion, is now under way with the establishment of a new national film company, capitalized at 5,000,000 yen, of which half is from the Manchukuo Government, and half from the South Manchuria Railway Co. The National Cinema Control Commission approved the plan unanimously. The new firm will be under the direct supervision of Eiga Kyokai (Manchukuo Cinema Ass'n), which was established at the same time. Every phase of film activity will be very closely controlled by the new company. All distribution will go through the association, which includes importations from all countries including Japan. A film law is being prepared by the Manchukuo Government which will prescribe definite rules for film activity, which is seen as eventually meaning the end of all private companies. The significance of the Manchukuo arrangement lies in the indication that it is virtually a test of such a plan, which will be watched closely by Japanese authorities, with a view to possible inauguration of a similar system in this country. Rentals Supplanting Japan* s Percentages Tokyo, Nov. 22. — There is a marked tendency among exhibitors in Japan at the moment to take product on a rental basis, instead of on percentage arrangements. The one exception is the Shinko Circuit, which is seeking percentage terms now. In general, theatres with high average grosses prefer rentals, while producers are demanding percentage terms from the larger houses. * * * The leading Japanese newspapers have reached a high point in the production of newsreels, which in recent months have attained a new popularity among Japanese audiences. Asahi, Nichi-nichi and Yomiuri together are producing more than 500,000 feet of newsreel films each month. They are making every effort to extend the market, planning large studios and laboratories, and making serious inroads into the exhibition of shorts. Plans Stimulant to Argentine Producers By N. BRUSKI Buenos Aires, Nov. 24. ■ — Dr. Miguel Navas has proposed to the City Council here the awarding of cash prizes for the best Argentine films exhibited in the city each year, as a stimulant to the young industry of the country. The author, producer, artistic director, sound expert and others would share in the prizes. * * * The Ministry of Justice has decreed that any producer desiring to utilize the service or cooperation of any Government department for a film, must first submit the story for examination and approval to a commission composed of the National Commission of Culture, the technical director of the Instituto Cinematografico, and a representative of the department involved. Monday, December 7, 1936 Reich Seen Gainer By Hungarian Pact By ENDRE HEVESI Budapest, Nov. 24. — Although the official text of the film agreement recently concluded between German and Hungarian authorities at Berlin has not been made public, information concerning its content as indicated in informed quarters leads to the general conclusion that Germany has virtually dictated terms, although certain phases of the reported terms are apparently favorable to Hungarian distributors. It is indicated, as well, that American films will have even less market in Hungary than at present, under the agreement According to the most widely credited version, Germany will allow the importation of five German dialogue films made here, but only on the conditions that they adhere rigidly to the Aryan principle in production. The producer of every German-speaking film in Hungary would have to pay 50,000 pengoes ($3,000) into a special fund to be used to import 40 Germanmade films into this country without permit tickets, thus saving distributors the 2,000 pengoes they now must pay for the permit tickets on each film. Thus German interests are in a more favorable position, since Hungarian distributors would be more willing to import German product, if the permit ticket charge were eliminated. The increase in the importation of German films into Hungary, seen as a prime result of the agreement obviously would virtually eliminate American product from the market, since Hungary has an annual film capacity of not more than 20 features. Dutch Towns Raise Tax on Admissions By PHILIP DE SCHAAP Amsterdam, Nov. 26. — The action of the Dutch M. P. Federation in attempting to prevent increases of admission taxes in cities in Holland, has brought a reaction from some municipalities. Eight towns plan to raise admission taxes, in many cases about 20 per cent. The Federation's first move in that direction took place in Haarlem. In Maastricht the exhibitors have served notice that if the town authorities go through with their avowed intention of maintaining the tax at 25 per cent, they will close their houses on April 1. * * * The double bill problem is becoming more acute, with some exchanges approving contracts providing for the showing of three pictures on one program. No shorts are shown, of course, in theatres using triple bills. Set German-Polish Film Warsaw, Nov. 24. — The German Tobis Co. has sent representatives here to negotiate for the production of a film in Polish and German versions. It will be the first German Polish film to be made here. Acquire Swiss Picture Arthur Mayer and Joseph Burstyn have acquired the American distribution rights for "The Eternal Mask," a Swiss production.