Motion Picture Daily (Jan-Mar 1950)

6 Motion Picture Daily Friday, March 31, 1950 Video Station Adopts Code Philadelphia, March 30. — Adoption of the principles of the motion picture Production Code in the operation of a television station was announced here by Walter H. Annenburg, newspaper publisher and owner of W'FIL-TY, which serves American Broadcasting and the DuMont networks in this city. The action was said to have been taken in an attempt to ward off Federal censorship. According to Annenburg, principles of the code will be "rigidly observed" in all programs initiated by WFILTV effective immediately. He also urged that all networks adopt the code's provisions "as a means of living up to the responsibilities of public franchises." "Self-imposed control," he added, "as practiced by the motion picture industry, certainly is preferable to government censorship. Since television employs the same basic principles of the movies — sight and sound — and since the motion picture code has proved successful, it is reasonable that the same code should apply to both mediums." 20th-Fox Net (Continued from page 1) motion picture patronage, and quoted trade press editorial opinion on the company's activity in this respect. "Your company," Skouras's message concluded, "is intensifying in every possible respect its plans and policies designed to provide the public with full and forehanded knowledge of the fine product emanating from Hollywood, and thus increase greater boxoffice patronage." Goldman, WB Agree (Continued from page 1) settlement will provide for the transfer by Warner to Goldman of several Philadelphia theatres in return for withdrawal of the litigation. Earlier settlement efforts were unsuccessful and trial of the case started with selection of a jury in Federal District court here this week. The jury selection was halted when the litigants decided to make another attempt. Goldman was awarded treble damages of $375,000 in his first action against Warners, representing alleged looses at his Erlanger Theatre in 194142 as a result of inability to obtain first-run product. The present action is the same as the first except that it covers alleged losses for the period from 1942 to 1946. Has New TV Equipment Syracuse, N. Y., March 30.— A new television synchronizing generator has been announced by General Electric here. The generator provides timing for all television studio equipment and sends out synchronizing signals so that receivers can also time their picture with that of the studio. Evans Back with Pathe Edward R. Evans, director of film programs for WPIX and CBS Television for the past three years, has rejoined RKO Pathe here. Proposes Separate Code For Foreign Film Rentals A separate Motion Picture Production Code covering foreign films and with different classifications so that some imported product might be passed for adult audiences exclusively was offered here yesterday by Dr. Renato Gualino, president of the Kalian Film Producers Association, as the possible solution to differences on screenplay content between the Code Administration and foreign producers. Gualino expressed the view at a meeting with the industry press at the offices of the Motion Picture Association of America here yesterday. Also present at the session was John G. McCarthy, head of the MPAA's international division, who said that the idea of a separate code was new to him and the association has not had time to consider it. May Shoot Extra Scenes Gualino said he is almost certain producers in Italy will continue the "Italian, realistic style" in their productions. It is desirous that they become acquainted with the code's provisions, he added, but they will not feel obliged to adhere to them for conformity's sake alone. He said perhaps a few "extra, protective" scenes might be shot in a picture. Must this "style" be sacrificed in order to conform with the code? Gualino said that the code reduces the "panorama" of screen material but he admitted that the "Italian style" and the code can be in accord. Gualino said that there has been much misinterpretation of the meaning of the code abroad and this needs to be corrected. He said in Europe the majority of films are approved on an age-group basis and foreign producers have had the idea that this situation prevailed here. Also, he added, thought to the code is given after a production is completed and not before, as is customary for production in this country. Sees End of Tax Among the numerous functions of the MPAA's Advisory Unit for Foreign Films is to fully acquaint foreign producers with the code. Gualino is here as the first delegate from Europe's film-producing countries to serve on the unit. Gualino said he expects the Italian government and the U. S. Treasury to work out a tax convention by next year which will end the 30 per cent tax on foreign film distribution rentals here. The MPAA has been working with Italian producers in an effort to remove the levy. McCarthy said this illustrates an "important area" where we (the MPAA and foreign producers) can work together for mutual benefit. U. S. Production A broad A ids (Continued from page 1) published reports that the Hollywood AFL Council was prepared to seek a nationwide boycott by the AFL of films produced abroad by American companies if the practice was expanded. "It is not now and never has been my intention to commit this industry, in any trade treaty or agreement, to produce any pictures in any other country at any time," Johnston said. Revenue Pays Wages "Yet it must not be forgotten that one-third of the total revenue out of which our production wages are paid comes from the foreign market, and that never in all history has any nation's film industry been able to subsist on its own domestic market. Studio employment in all other countries is down much further proportionately than here," Johnston continued, adding, "One of the main reasons why we have been able to obtain as favorable a trade agreement as we have is because we offer completely free access to the American market. Any move toward limiting that free access would be about the greatest mistake that could be made." Following Johnston's address, Roy Brewer, chairman of the Council, said the group is now convinced that it is necessary for American producers to make some pictures abroad in order to maintain the foreign market, and that in his opinion no boycott of films produced abroad will be undertaken. Sees Increased Production Earlier Johnston had told the press that there is valid reason for expecting increased production during 1950. He cited the general shortening of theatre runs as creating a pressing need for more pictures. He also mentioned the impending Benton bill, which proposes the expenditure of a large sum by the government on documentaries to be produced here, and the gradually increasing demand for television films, as factors likely to influence studio employment favorably. He declined to predict the outcome of the re-negotiation of the British trade pact, and refrained from commenting on Senator Edwin C. Johnson's bill or attacks save to flatly deny reports that industry leaders from here or New York will go to Washington for meetings with Sen. Johnson unless officially summoned. NTFC Holds Forum National Television Film Council held its fourth quarterly forum at the Hotel Astor yesterday-, followed by a dinner-meeting at the Brass Rail, presided over by Melvin Gold, president. E-L Club Dance Tonight The Eagle-Lion Family Club here will hold its second annual spring dance this evening in the Park Sheraton Hotel. Censor Mexican Exports Mexico City, March 30. — Special censorship for Mexican pictures intended for export is demanded of the Ministry of the Interior, government department that controls the censor board by a Congressional bloc which contends that films that "distort the realities of Mexico by being tarnished with inter-class rancor, pistol toting and firing" must be kept from foreign screens for the sake of Mexico's world prestige. Circuit and Foreign Heads Attend MPAA Lunch for Gualino Foreign department heads of the film companies and theatre circuit executives showed up in large numbers yesterday for the luncheon for Dr. Renato Gualino, president of tH ilian Film Producers Association, ueld at the Harvard Club here, and sponsored by the Motion Picture Association of America. Among those present were : Norton V. Ritchey, Allied Artists ; Arthur W. Kelly, United Artists; Wolfe Cohen, Warner ; Emanuel Silverstone and Francis Harley, 20th Century-Fox ; Joseph A. McConville and Bernard E. Zeeman, Columbia ; Charles Goldsmith, Loew's ; Clay V. Hake, Paramount ; Douglas Yates, Jr., Republic, and R. K. Hawkinson, RKO Radio. Theatremen included: Oscar A. Doob, Leonard Goldenson, Sol Schwartz, Harry Kalmine, Harry Brandt, Fred Schwartz, Ben Gladstone, Walter Higgins, Sam Rinzler, Jack Hatton, Irving Caplan, Harold Klein, S. H. Fabian, Bernie Brooks and Herman Becker. John G. McCarthy, B. Bernard Kreisler, Joaquin Rickard, Gordon White and Alfred F. Corwin represented the MPAA. Italo Papini represented Aldo Mazio of the Italian Consul General's office. U. K. Quota (Continued from page 1) citing "The Third Man," "Blue Lamp" and "Morning Departure" as successful pictures made with the aid of the Film Finance Corporation. Wilson's remarks met a poor reception from the opposition with Conservative spokesman Walter Elliot opening with the remark that Wilson reminded him of Mae West's comment to her chauffeur : "Do your worst, your best is awful." Elliot insisted that the film industry's sickness stems in the main from the "unfair, intolerable entertainment tax burden." Other Commons members, including Labor's Tom O'Brien, pressed vigorously for the necessity to reduce the tax. Obviously impressed by the support of exhibition's claim to a reduced tax, Wilson said in his closing remarks that he could not anticipate the budget to be proposed by Sir Stafford Cripps, Chancellor of the Exchequer. 'Brotherhood' Drive (Continued from page 1) Navy, and general chairman, presided. Gamble said the collection mark has already passed $75,000 and that whole sections have not yet reported. Last year's total collection amounted to $85,000. Gamble reported a record number of 42,800 separate contributions to the drive have been made within the industry. Gamble cited the "great work done" in spreading the meaning of "Brotherhood." He commended the efforts of A. L. Schwalberg, distribution chairman ; Pat Scollard, assistant to Schwalberg, and Max Youngstein, advertising-publicity head, in behalf of the drive, and newsreels for carrying drive footage. Madeleine Carroll, New York regional chairman, delivered an overall report of the activities in this area.