Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1948)

Wednesday, June 2, 1948 Motion Picture Daily 3 'Voice' Broadcasts Hit Hollywood Too Washington, June 1. — Hollywood was disparaged in National Broadcasting's "Know North America" scripts broadcast to Latin America just "as much as were some of the states of the Union, it was disclosed here today at two Congressional comi^tee hearings investigating the =*ice of America" programs. Writer \uQjie scripts on Hollywood was Rene Borgia who said he worked for 20th Century-Fox and other studios. Typical of the script's references to Hollywood are the following excerpts : "How is Hollywood? The answer is rather difficult because there is nothing as indescribable as this marvelous city-asylum." . . . "Hollywood and its extension, Beverly Hills, is an architect's nightmare." . . . "Does Hollywood provide anything but film? Absolutely nothing!" Jaffe a Law Firm Partner with Grant William B. Jaffe yesterday entered a full partnership with Arnold Grant in the New York law firm of Weisman, Grant and Jaffe and will devote his activities to financing, tax and corporate work. Jaffe is a well known film and theatrical attorney who was formely general counsel to Columbia and now represents Monogram legally in the East. Also, he was chairman of the Manning Plan which dealt with deferment induction of skilled labor in New York State during the war and was legal advisor to the War Manpower Commission for New York State. Theatre Quota in French Indo-China Washington, June 1. — French Indo-China now requires theatres to show French films for at least four weeks out of each 13, according to a Commerce Department report. Another ruling requires all distributors to be approved by the government. Also, U. S. firms will now have to operate through French representatives. The government has tentatively set aside $100,000 for U. S. film imports this year. The plan must still be approved by Paris. Press for Ticket Tax Relief in UK Murphy of Airlines, Gerald Mayer's Aide Washington, June 1. — United Airlines executive James L. Murphy has been named special assistant to Motion Picture Association of America international chief Gerald Mayer, and will work in London on British tax problems, the MPAA announced today. Murphy will leave for London after about two months indoctrination in New York. A resident of San Francisco, Murphy was in charge of United's West Coast operations and later was assistant to United President William Patterson. Sweeping Probe of N. Zealand Industry By R. A. USMAR Wellington, N. Z., May 26 (By Airmail). — The government's inquiry into the film industry has taken definite shape. The Parliamentary Committee, which is to conduct the inquiry, has decided to investigate the following : Whether existing monopoly conditions in exhibition are compatible with public interest and whether any legislative action is needed to limit or regulate these conditions ; whether control of theatres should be kept in the hands of New Zealand or British nationals ; whether a system of restrictive licensing of theatres should be continued ; whether the exhibition of sub-standard films should be controlled ; whether the existing conditions of supply of films to independent exhibitors are reasonable ; whether existimg admissions are reasonable ; whether the amount or form of taxation is reasonable, and whether it is in the national interest to foster production in New Zealand. London, June 1. — Exhibitors here are hopeful of some admission tax relief following a joint exhibitor-distributor-films' union delegation meeting with Sir Stafford Cripps, Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the subject. Sir Stafford would not commit himself to the deputation but did ask that officers of the Cinematograph Exhibitors Association enter into discussions with his financial advisers on a longterm policy for readjustment of the admission tax. Exhibitors hope that some measure of relief may materialize this week in the course of the House of Commons committee consideration of the Finance Bill. Sir Alexander King has been a prime mover in the campaign for tax relief and was a member of the delegation which called upon Cripps. Commons Gets {Continued from page 1) Lunch With Beale Washington, June 1. — Motion Pic ture Association of America international chief Gerald Mayer and other top MPAA officials had lunch here to day with the State Department's new film adviser, Wilson T. M. Beale Discussion of the industry's foreign problems was very general, one official said. Others at the luncheon were Joyce O'Hara, Edward Cheyfitz, Ken neth Clark and Manning Claggett. Boris Morros Plans London, June 1. — Boris Morros is the latest American arrival here with European production plans. Morros wants to make pictures not only here but in Scandinavia and other European countries. Canada Limits Recorders Ottawa, June 1. — As part of its United States dollar-saving program the Canadian government has brought sound recorders under import control effective June 5. Rank Plans (Continued from page 1) earnings over the last three years. The split will be made on a basis of 57 per cent to Odeon and 43 per cent to G-B. Rank has emphasized that the plan is not a merger but a pooling operation designed to streamline the two circuit operations and thereby effect desired economies. Details of the plan have been sent to the Kinematograph Renters Society, asking KRS approval thereof. No action has been taken. American members of KRS feel it is up to Harold Wilson, president of the Board of Trade, to approve or disapprove it. Independent exhibitors are apprehensive over possible effects on them of the new booking system involved, while American distributors feel it may result in reduced playing time for their pictures or less favorable terms from the pooled operations. United Artists has a large interest in Odeon, and 20th Century-Fox in G-B. New Serkowich Firm Handling U-I Film The recently organized firm of Benjamin H. Serkowich has been engaged by Universal-International to handle a special promotion campaign for the Monty Shaff-Frank Rosenberg production, "Man Eater of Kumaon," it was announced here yesterday by Maurice A. Bergman, U-I Eastern advertising-publicity director. Serkowich was most recently advertising, publicity and exploitation director of Columbia Pictures. U. A. Seeks Rights (Continued from page 1) Loew's to Release McGraw-Hill Films Arthur M. Loew, president of Loew's International, has concluded an agreement with McGraw-Hill under which educational films produced by McGraw-Hill will be distributed by M-G-M in all countries of the world outside the United States and Canada. Okays Tax-Free Tickets Washington, June 1. — The Senate today passed a bill to permit tax-free tickets given to hospitalized servicemen and hospitalized veterans. Measure is slightly different from a similar bill that the House passed, and therefore must go back to the House for approval. along with two other gangster subjects, "I'm a Fugitive" and "Brighton Rock," both made by Associated British. Kelly reserved space at Alfred Shipman's Riverside Studio, startingAugust 1,' for U.A.'s British production program. Probable first subject will be "Dick Turpin," a story of Britain's legendary highwayman. A script has been prepared in Hollywood, but the present intention is to assign an English director to the film. Earlier reports that UA. might be prevented from proceeding with its production plans here proved groundless. BOT Excludes (Continued from page 1) tions than those now contained in the agreement. The government said that "as agreement is reached on these points (interpretation and implementation) it will be recorded in a schedule of interpretations attached to this agreement." Await Interpretation Schedule Government spokesmen admit that the whole tendency and force of the agreement depends upon the interpretation schedule and it is not known when this will be available in view of the extremely involved talks now in progress. F. W. Allport, Motion Picture Association of America representative here, declares that the talks are concerned with technicalities only. Though still uncertain, he hopes the talks will be finalized by June 14, when the agreement is scheduled to become operative. Text of the agreement as placed before Commons today follows generally the versions of the agreement previously published in America but with some important textual differences. Clause Eight, concerning permitted uses of blocked funds relative to taxes, does not appear in the official text. Also, published references to "subject to the approval of the Board of Trade and Treasury'-' has been amended to read "subject to the approval of the Control Committee." The government attaches importance to that change, indicating that the committee virtually will control all American activities here under the agreement. In addition, the official text contains no reference to the previously published Clause 27, relating to payments to promote merchandise exports, etc. Cite Non-Industry Uses The official text includes Schedules B and C. m The former embraces permitted uses of blocked funds outside of normal operations in the film industry, citing the acquisition of real estate or activities designed to foster tourist travel in Britain. The latter provides for temporary investment, subject to the Control Committee, in government or other securities provided the investments do not constitute permanent use or disposal of funds. A government spokesman points out that the principles of the text emphasize particularly that expenditures shall not create additional pressure on British exchange; that none of the permitted uses goes beyond the limits of fair competition, and that no disposable balance may be used in any way that would damage Britain's productive economy. The government's pledge to extend all cooperation within the framework of these principles is contained in the text. H. Anstey, A. Havelock Allan, Sir Alexander Korda, J. Arthur Rank, representing producers; Major R. P. Baker and Sir Arthur W. Jarratt (latter replaces Columbia's J. Friedman ) , representing distributors ; Cecil Bernstein, E. J. Hinge, Sir Alexander B. King, C. P. Metcalfe, Sir Philip Warter all representing exhibitors ; G. H. Elvin, Percy Pilgrim, W. G. Stevens, and Tom O'Brien, representing trade unions. Two more independent members will be named momentarily to complete the list. Blum Pact (Continued from page 1) talks to slide into final conferences unnoticed, and merely announce the final settlement. The French Ministry of Commerce and Industry's M. Lacoste made a similar statement recently in the French Chamber, when he announced it was "not customary" to divulge the detailed progress of international negotiations.