Motion Picture Daily (Jul-Sep 1950)

lursday, August 3, 1950 Motion Picture Daily 3 U-I to Make More 3-Reel Westerns On the basis of recent exhibitor reaction to a feature picture of two complete three-reel Westerns, which Universal-International recently developed, the company has announced that it would prepare three more such features for general relea' i"J iche three-reel films bear~the title "Tales of the West," and star Tex Williams. The four consist of the following combinations: "Cactus Caravan" and "South of Santa Fe"; "Fargo Phantom" and "Coyote Canyon"; "Rustler's Ransom," and "Gold Strike"; "Western Courage" and "Ready to Ride." 'lose' Openings Set lor Six Continents j (Under a global release schedule, Cth Century-Fox's "The Black Rose" Nil have individual premieres in six fintinents during September and OcIper, it was announced here yesterday 11 Murray Silverstone, 20th-Fox In■ (-national president. With 25 countries involved, the Jhedule for release of the picture is I follows : September — England, Ausliilia, New Zealand, Mexico, Panak, F.cuador, Colombia, Puerto Rico, [ifciba, Trinidad, Brazil, Uruguay, Peru id the Philippines ; October — France, Ldgium, Switzerland, Portugal, Italy, i weden, Finland, Greece, Egypt, Isji el and Chile. The film will be re' ised in Norway in early November. Bonus Plan in US-UK Pact id Lean Joins Korda ' British director David Lean has •ined Sir Alexander Korda' s London Kims, it was announced here yesteri'iy. Lean directed "Brief Encounter," Great Expectations" and others. FOR A BETTER VACATBON! It's ihe CAMPUS, of course. NEW DELUXE CABINS and COTTAGES . . . FINE FOOD ... A SNACK OR A MEAL . . . GOLF . . . TENNIS . . . SWIMMING . . . RIDING . . . TROUT FISHiNG . . . GAMES . . . MOVIES . . . CONCERTS . . . AND OUR NEW CAMPUS PLAYHOUSE. — Rates — $9.00 Daily or $58.50 per Week SPECIAL 10% DISCOUNT TO FILM INDUSTRY MEMBERS WHO SEND IN OR PRESENT THIS AD! Write, Phone or Wire for Reservations THE CAMPUS, Bushkill, Pa. IN THE POCONOS Phone: Bushkill 51 BANKING FOR THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY 1 BANKER COMPAN sJTrust (Continued from page 1) NEW YORK MEMBER FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORP0RATI0N of the 1948 remittance agreement which was intended to augment the basic $17,000,000 remittables in pro-' portion to the earnings of British films in the American market. The "B pool" arrangement proved unworkable in practice, however. In agreeing to the new bonus arrangements in principle, Britain abandoned its earlier stipulation for imposition of penalties against American companies in the form of deductions from the basic $17,000,000 annual convertibility in proportion to the amount by which American investments in British production dropped below the 1948-'49 average. No Penalty Clause Thus, the new provisions allow for bonus remittances without offsetting penalties based on past performance. The new arrangement is for one year only, expiring Oct. 1, 1951. Between now and Oct. 1, next, the terms of the March, 1948, agreement will continue in effect. During that interim, the details of the new bonus provisions are scheduled to be worked out and agreed upon by both sides. Disclosure of the new arrangements was made at a press conference in London yesterday called by Eric Johnston, president of the Motion Picture Association of America, and in New York by Ellis Arnall, president of the Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers, and James A. Mulvey, president of Samuel Goldwyn Prod., the other American industry negotiators. The latter arrived in New York from London by plane in mid-afternoon yesterday. Johnston and his aide, Joyce O'Hara, are due here from London by plane today and are expected to report to the MPAA and MPEA boards of directors on the new agreement within a day or two. In London, Johnston claimed the agreement fulfills his original aim, namely, full convertibility of British earnings, although apparently that is possible only by roundabout methods. There is, however, no ceil'ng or other limitation on the total amount remittable to the U. S. The bonus percentages have not been set yet but will be fixed by _ a technical committee comprising British Treasury and Bank of England representatives and American industry representatives. No 'Pool' Incentive It was emphasized that the bonus remittances will be paid to individual companies only, thus eliminating incentives for pooling investments or activities. Although the unit booking plan invoked by the American companies in Britain to prevent the practice of using a strong American picture in support of a weak British picture on the same program was raised during the negotiations, Johnston said the plan is not within MPAA's province and he was not authorized to order its abandonment. The British representatives offered to pledge no further adverse legislation against American films there in return for cancellation of the unit booking plan, but Johnston maintained that the suggested action was a matter for decision by individual American companies. However, he adm'tted the plan is likely to be abandoned within three weeks. It already has been dropped by 20th CenturyFox. Johnston claimed that the bonus incentive scheme inevitably will result in increased American production in Britain, declaring it to be a good bargain for both sides. Johnston reiterated his previous statements that a healthy British production industry is vitally necessary not only to spur Hollywood endeavor but also for the exchange and dissemination of democratic ideals. Arnall Credits Ambassador Arnall estimated that the three bonus provisions would bring British remittances next year to a minimum of $19,000,000 or, conservatively, $21,000,000. He said the American negotiators regard the new deal as a "reasonably good arrangement," and credited U. S. Ambassador Lewis O. Douglas with having been helpful in reaching it. The SIMPP president said he could not see that Hollywood labor would object to the arrangement, since no compulsion or "big stick," as he termed it, was connected with future American production in Britain under the deal. Another possible means whereby SAG Affirms Stand Before TV Group Hollywood, Aug. 2. — A joint statement issued by the National Society of Television Producers and the Screen Actors Guild following a joint session of committees representing each party stated that SAG expressed its intention to continue to represent all actors in motion pictures produced throughout the U. S., however such pictures may be exhibited. The meeting is the first in a series to be held by the two groups in exploring mutual problems, including the jurisdictional dispute between SAG and the Television Authority. Box-Office Incentive Hamilton, O., Aug. 2. — Bus-riding patrons attending the Ramona Outdoor Theatre, recently opened here in the city limits, are given a refund of their bus fare to the theatre when presenting a special bus transfer at the box-office when purchasing a ticket. conversion could be further implemented, Arnall said, would involve purchase by the Americans of soft currencies of other European countries with British pounds, but he pointed out that this was not part of the arrangement although it might be included in the details which have yet to be hammered out.