Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1948)

4 Motion Picture Daily Tuesday, August 24, 1948 British Jews Assail Boycott of Films London, Aug. 23. — Attempts by the Sons of Liberty in the U. S. to conduct a boycott of British goods, including motion pictures, have been termed "ineffectual" and "irresponsible" by spokesmen for Britain's most representative Jewish organizations. Zionists here maintain that the boycott is hampering them in their efforts to obtain recognition of the Israeli government by Britain, while officials of other Jewish groups, such as the Anglo-Jewish Association and the Board of Deputies of British Jews, along with the Jewish Chronicle, insist that the campaign is resented by this country's Jews and is damaging Anglo-American relations. Meanwhile, Sir Alexander Korda has announced that he is withholding th ree September releases and that no more films will be sent by his London Film Productions to the U. S. until "the trouble blows over." He indicated he may bring the matter up for discussion with Eric Johnston, Motion Picture Association of America president, who is here for conferences on the quota. U.S. Firms to Appeal Fines in Argentina The eight American film companies charged with having violated Argentina's rules on declaring earnings and values of prints will take an appeal from that country's executive order fining them $450,000, it was reported at the offices here of the Motion Picture Association of America. The companies intend to charge that the decrees issued by Argentine President Juan Peron and Ramon Careijo, Minister of Finance, are "discriminatory and excessive." In 20th Toronto Post Peter Myers has been appointed manager of the 20th Century-Fox Toronto exchange, it was announced here yesterday by Andy W. Smith, Jr., general sales manager. He succeeds Harry J. Bailey, resigned. Myers, 32, was formerly branch manager for Eagle-Lion and Monogram in Canada. Halts Political Newsreels Mexico City, Aug. 23.— Complaint that Alexican newsreels are giving certain government officers too much footage has prompted the government to order the elimination of such personal "advertising." Johnston Gets (Continued from page 1) features to the second half of double bill programs in his theatres, at arbitrarily stated playing terms, will come up for discussion. Under such an arrangement, Rank's theatres could go far toward complying with the new quota by pairing weak British product, as first features, with strong American releases on the lower half of the bills drawing the customers. To Seek Joint Action on French Johnston also will discuss with Rank the possibilities of joint action with respect to the new French tax. John Davis, Rank's chief aide; Joyce O'Hara Johnston's assistant, and F. W. Allport of the MPAA here, will attend the dinner. Johnston described his visit here as "purely exploratory" and said he hopes to meet with industry leaders and Cabinet members. He plans to be here about a week, going on to the Continent thereafter. Despite widespread rumors to the contrary, Johnston is satisfied that it will be impossible to get changes in the new quota law, which will become effective Oct. 1. However, it is obvious that he will attempt, at least, to prepare the groundwork for a reduction in the quota at the end of its first year, October, 1949. His position is Propose New Salary Scale in Argentina American film companies in Argentina have offered to revise wage scales in that country so that they would be on the same level with salaries paid by native Argentine producers and distributors or those paid by the government to its employes, according to the Motion Picture Association of America here. Labor organizations in Argentina had asked a 25 per cent boost. The U. S. companies have 1,000 full-time employes and 1,500 on part time. 20th To Represent (Continued from page 1) president of RKO, and Phil Reisman, foreign chief. The agreement covers all RKO films, including product from independent producers releasing through the company, as well as pictures made in England. RKO heretofore released in South Africa through franchise holders. strengthened by the British exhibitor view that the present quota will prove impracticable. Johnston's plane arrived here five hours late due to an engine fire at Gander, Newfoundland. He repeated the statement he made prior to his departure from New York last Friday that James A. Mulvey of the Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers was unable to accompany him on this trip because of a difference in viewpoint among SIMPP members on adoption of the MPEA plan for Britain. He said that Samuel Goldwyn, David Selznick and Walter Wanger were in favor of the plan but that United Artists' producers were violently opposed to it. Johnston has arranged to meet with Harold Wilson, president of the Board of Trade, at Oxford next Sunday. Yesterday he met with Lionel Curtiss and later with Lord Vansittart. Says Boycotts Are 'Disgusting' Johnston told reporters that he knew little of the activities of the Sons of Liberty and that, in any event, he is strenuously opposed to all boycotts which in his view are "disgusting." The Sons of Liberty have championed boycotts of British pictures playing in the United States. Johnston denied reports here that Hollywood members of the AngloAmerican Joint Films Council had refused to meet with British members of the Council. SIMPP Group Wary (Continued from page 1) the MPAA. The independents feel, it is said, that an MPEA in England would mean additional channels through which money from England must flow and they fear, because of the limited output of their individual companies, they would realize little profit when earnings for the major companies' films come into account. Such collective bargaining was rejected by a majority of members of the SIMPP at three meetings on the Coast last week. It was following the third one that James Mulvey, who represents SIMPP in such matters, was advised not to join Eric A. Johnston, MPAA president, on the latter's current trip to London. Mulvey declined to comment. It is known that some of the independents believe they are not adequately protected in the new agreement with France, which has yet to be finalized, and which has been protested by Walt Disney Prod. Feeling here is that the quota of 110 pictures for the French market will mean benefits for the principal companies, with the independents slighted. The independents were agreeable to the_ British pact of last March to which they were a party, but in this instance no limit was placed on the number of pictures allowed in the British market. Film 'Third Man' Abroad . Hollywood, Aug. 23.— Filming of "The Third Man," starring Joseph Cotten and Valli, will begin in Vienna in the latter part of September, it vyas announced today by Carol Reed and Graham Greene, British producer-director and author, respectively, of the film, before they planed back to London following script and production conferences with David O. , Selznick here. It is the first of four pictures to be made jointly in Europe by Selznick and Sir Alexander Korda. Europe Hedging (Continued from page 1) U. S. pictures in their country, but admitted that he was unable to finalize an arrangement during his trip. Negotiations with the Hungarian Film Bureau are still going on, Maas reported, and he is hopeful that an agreement will be reached shortly. Maas assailed as discriminatory and a violation of international agreements to which Holland was a signatory, that country's 40-week playing Jm^ stipulation for U. S. pictures. UT^n. it, he said, MPEA could not establish a much-desired show-case in The Hague, while the British, who are guaranteed 12 weeks and have "a shot" at many more, could. MPEA's outlook in Austria is "good," Maas said. Queried on recent press dispatches from Washington that the late Father Flanagan (of "Boys Town" in Nebraska) told the U. S. Army that a bad influence on Austrian youth had been exercised by crime, detective and adventure films from Hollywood, Maas said that if it is true, the Army must share the blame since it passed on all pictures shown in Austria. Father Flanagan Memorial Fund Discussion Set by Albany Variety Albany, N. Y., Aug. 23. — Albany Variety Club will discuss at its first autumn meeting, in September, the contribution it will make toward a memorial statue which the Variety Clubs of America will erect for the late Father Flanagan at Boys Town, Neb. Albany chief barker Harry Lamont has received from the national organization headquarters notification that it plans an "enduring memorial" for the priest who received Variety's "Humanitarian Award." World Scope for 'Thumb" Hollywood, Aug. 23.; — In the midst of all the pessimism about the world market situation George Pal has announced that "The Adventures of Tom Thumb," his forthcoming Technicolor initial feature for United Artists release, will get full international attention. Film will be given a saturation servicing in 14 world-girdling language versions, he said. New Mexican Film Firm Mexico City, Aug. 23. — Fernando Soler, veteran picture star, and Jaime Menache have founded a film production company which will start its first picture in October. THE LATEST WORD ON JJQPJ] C 66 It rates rounds of applause!79 — LOUIS SOBOL