Motion Picture Daily (Apr-Jun 1952)

Wednesday, May 21, 1952 Motion Picture Daily 7 Urging French Pact Compensation Deals Taking cognizance of the poor dollar situation in France, film export managers here indicated yesterday that they would be looking for a new Franco-American film agreement that would duplicate the expiring one and provide additionally for compensation deals designed to increase the chances of greater remittances of earnings. Last week's negotiations in Paris will be discussed by Eric A. Johnston at a meeting here today of the MPAA board. Johnston will explain four alternate counter-proposals which the French have made. Any one of these counter-proposals, it was said, represents an improvement over the existing Franco-American film pact, which will expire on June 30. Distributors Divided The American distributors were said to be more or less divided on the question whether unrestricted admittance of U.S. films into France should be insisted upon. The companies which are against a free flow give as their reason the assertion that profits would diminish substantially on pictures beyond the present limit of 123, since France's economic setup is so precarious. The French market as a source of income is rated considerably below the Italian by most U.S. distributors. Theoretically there is no restriction on remittances in the existing FrancoAmerican pact. However, the French economic position has been so bad since the beginning of the year that nothing has been remitted since last December. The solution to this may lie in compensation deals, some foreign managers believe. French Unit Urges U.S. Quota Removal Washington, May 20. — A special French government film inquiry commission has urged the abandonment of the screen quota on U.S. film imports, but a sharply higher tax rate, according to the U. S. Commerce Department. Film chief Nathan D. Golden said this was the substance of French press reports. The commission, a parliamentary sub-committee, was appointed in February, and its report has been filed with the Press, Radio and Cinema Commission of the French government, but not made public. Golden said that from accounts in French newspapers, the commission's recommendations include : abandonment of the screen quota ; government financial aid to exhibitors in proportion to the number of French films they show ; an increase in the tax on original versions of foreign films from about seven cents a meter to more than ninety cents ; and adoption of measures to prevent the re-exportation of foreign films in dubbed versions, to eliminate them from competing with French films in French-speaking countries. One French paper reported that when Parliament reconvenes, a bill embodying these and other recommendations will be introduced. Churchill's Gift Reels Loneon, May 20. — The Motion Picture Association of America has presented Prime Minister Winston Churchill with a composite film of the newsreels covering his recent trip vo the United States. The picture was assembled and edited by Warner Brothers. Churchill is reportedly delighted with the present. Television -Radio — Comment and cipininn AS IF to confuse the crystal-gazers who like to predict that television's exodus to the Coast is imminent, CBS last week announced that it had completed arrangements for the purchase of the huge Sheffield Farms Co. depot and office building in New York. Two days earlier, the network had provided details of the CBS Television City in Hollywood which is due to start Coast-to-Coast operations October 1. The Coast setup will have four huge studios to start, with a production capacity of 28 hours per week. J. L. Van Volkenburg, CBSTV president, unveiled a two-ton model of the Television City's initial unit, an ail-electronically operated affair which the network is sending on tour. CBS's new New York space covers nine acres and will serve to consolidate and integrate many of the network's pre-production and production activities. ft ft ft In the midst of its heated controversy with the 13 major league baseball clubs, and after cutting service by one half, the Liberty Broadcasting System last week suspended operations altogether. In a sign-off broadcast, Gordon McLendon, president, blamed the burden of national telephone line charges, the Justice Department, and the "baseball monopoly." There is a possibility McLendon may revive the network on a different basis and with new backing. ft ft ft Convincing proof that showmanship and education can be fused into an entertainment package of unusual appeal comes in a new TV series, "Through the Enchanted Gate." currently presented by WNBT together with the lately TVconscious Museum of Modern Art. The brainchild of Ted Cott, WNBT's dynamic general manager, the programs are produced by Victor D'Amico, veteran educator and director of the Museum's Department of Education. The series aims to stimulate and develop children's interest in creative art. Using youngsters from three to 10 in the studio, the show has both fascination and charm and makes for a half-hour of absorbing TV viewing for child and parent alike. "Through the Enchanted Gate" tackles a difficult job and comes through with flying colors. Congratulations to the Museum and to WNBT on the success of this valuable pioneering effort. .. ft ■ ft . . ft It isn't often in this highly competitive TV business that someone comes along with a brand-new idea and gets a big sponsor to take a gamble with him. Yet that is one of the definite accomplishments of Warren Wade, genial producer of WOR-TV's highly successful "Broadway TV Theatre" which presents the same play every week-night under the double sponsorship of General Tire & Rubber Co. and Cavalier Cigarettes. Wade brings 15 years of radio experience to the intricate problems of television programming. He started as an actor in 1912 and later joined John F. Royal in opening radio station WTAM. He became an NBC producer and in 1932 produced Fred Allen's first radio show. He put the World's Fair on television and pioneered in the development of video techniques for many types of events. In the Signal Corps during the war, Wade returned to NBC and eventually formed his own Warren Wade Productions which produces "Broadway TV Theatre." The 90-minute full-length versions of legitimate plays are done in impeccable taste and enjoy a deservedly high rating. Last week's "Angel Street," with Victor Jory, was a polished, well-paced job and came across with full force on the TV screen. ft ft ft Chalk up an important victory for theatres as Theatre NetworkTelevision obtains exclusive rights to the Sugar Ray Robinson — Joey Maxim world light heavyweight championship bout on June 23. It should be another big boost for theatre TV. . . . Eleanor Powell did herself proud in her comeback with Danny Thomas on the "All-Star Revue" on NBC-TV recently. Her tap-dancing routines may well point the way back to the movie screen. . . . Ziv Television Programs expanding its sales operations. . . . With Congress taking an active interest in the FCC personnel bottleneck, processing of station applications may be speeded up. . . . Frederic March excellent as usual on the Lux Video Theatre Monday. With the difficult half-hour format, the show regularly comes through with a fine dramatic punch and that's saying plenty. . . . "American Inventory" showcasing a commercial program Sunday for potential sponsors. Fred Hift Warren Wade Wolpin to Coast on Music Promotions Edward A. Wolpin, general professional manager of Famous Music, will leave New York for the Paramount studios in Hollywood on Friday to discuss promotional plans for the music and songs of five of Paramount's new productions. The five films are : "Just for You," with color by Technicolor, starring Bing Crosby, Jane Wyman and Ethel Barrymore, wite 11 songs by HarryWarren and Leo Robin; "Son of Paleface," (Technicolor), starring Bob Hope, Jane Russell and Roy Rogers, with seven songs by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, Jack Brooks, and Jack Hope and Lyle Moraine ; "Somebody Loves Me," (Technicolor), a William Perlberg-George Seaton production, starring Betty Hutton and Ralph Meeker, with 20 songs, including four new numbers by Livingston and and Evans ; Hal Wallis' "Jumping Jacks," with Dean Martin-Jerry Lewis, with five songs by Mack David and Livingstone; and the new Bing Crosby-Bob Hope-Dorothy Lamour comedy, "Road to Bali," (Technicolor), now in production, with six new^ tunes by Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen. 'American Weekly' Cites Lucille Ball Lucille Ball captured two Honors in the first annual American Weekly television poll, when she was voted the best comedienne, and her "I Love Lucy" show captured the award as the best comedy-drama program. The awards, which will be made to the best program or personality in 12 categories of television, will be announced in the May 25 issue. Engraved plaques will be presented to the winners. List Other Winners Other winners are : "Your Show of Shows," best variety program ; "Celanese Theatre," best dramatic program ; "Dragnet," best mystery drama program ; Fred Waring, best musical program ; "Meet the Press," best discussion program ; "You Bet Your Life," best quiz program ; Jimmy Durante, best comedian ; "Kukla, Fran and Ollie," best children's program ; "See It Now," best news program ; Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, award for special achievement. The poll was conducted among the television editors of metropolitan newspapers which distribute the weekly. 4 from Industry on Music Rights Board Toronto, May 20. — Four representatives of the Canadian film industry are on the new board of the Musical Protective Society of Canada, the organization of all branches of amusement activities which deals with copyright and performing rights questions. The 1951-52 directors include Angus MacCunn of Famous Players: William J. Singleton, Associated Screen News, Montreal ; Arch H. Jolley. executive-secretary of the Motion Picture Theatres Association of Ontario, and J. Depew of Odeon. Jolley was made vice-president of the society, the president of which is Martin Maxwell of Toronto, representing broadcasters.