Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1934)

34 MOTION PICTU RE HERALD November 24, 1934 BRITISH NEWSREELS FACING CENSORSHIP Fifteen Per Cent Tax on Theatres Threatened To Reach $500,000 Charity Guarantee By BRUCE ALLAN London Correspondent Some disquiet is being felt in British trade circles over the increased tendency in official quarters to supervise program material. The recent pronouncement that newsreels would be subject to censorship if the events pictured were not current events was bad enough, following as it did on a hint from the British Board of Film Censors that the mere addition of a commentary might strictly render news films liable to censorship. Now there has been a plain statement that the exemption from censorship is being continued subject to "good behavior." This is how most individuals, at any rate, read the pronouncement of Sir John Gilmour, the Home Secretary, in the House of Commons. Asked if he contemplated a formal censorship of newsreels, he replied : "No, sir, but I have thought it my duty to see representatives of this branch of the industry and point out that it rests with them so to handle their material as to make it unnecessary for the Government to arrange for any censorship of newsreels." A Fine Distinction The significant point about this statement was the additional comment by Sir John that he had taken action because of complaints of the "revolting" character of newsreel scenes of the Marseilles assassinations. There could not have been a plainer indication of the Government's desire to censor not newsreels but news. It is obvious that the distinction between official deprecation of films which the public may find unpleasant and official disapproval of films conveying opinions which the Government finds inconvenient may prove to be a fine one. Sir John's warning to the newsreel companies will be taken as a hint to watch their step in regard to other than "revolting" incidents. It certainly is so regarded by many who have felt the newsreel as the one feature of the program in which one might hope to find uncensored views as well as uncensored news. What newsreel company will take a risk in future with the threat of censorship permanently over its head? V Taxing the Box Office London exhibitors, already members of the most heavily taxed community in the country, are to be asked to pay still more. Under Sunday Opening legislation, a contribution to charity has to be made. Legally, all Sunday profits may be taken, but there was a working arrangement by which exhibitors in the districts licensed by the London County Council paid 10 per cent of takings, with a minimum joint guarantee of $500,000 per annum, and a provision that the percentage would be increased if this sum were not reached. The first year's 10 per cent levy amounted approximately to $435,000, and the next year's percentage (which also had to provide for the previous year's deficit) became 12^ per cent. Now it is announced that a deficit on the expected $500,000 again is anticipated, and that the Council probably will take 15 per cent of the receipts during the coming year. Cinemas already pay, in entertainment tax. a proportion of their receipts usually estimated as 16.33 per cent. Take 15 per cent of the remainder, allow for the fact that many Sunday patrons would come during the week if there were no Sunday showing and one will begin to understand that many managements are doubting the economic wisdom of opening on Sunday. V News Notes Ralph Bromhead, managing director of the Regent Circuit, a subsidiary of the Maxwell A. B.C., has joined County Cinemas, the 30-odd circuit controlled by C. J. Donada, as general manager. Mr. Bromhead is a nephew of A. C. and and R. C. Bromhead, founders of Gaumont-British organization, and was theatre controller on the absorption of P. C. T. (Provincial Cinematograph Theatres) by the former company. He joined A. B.C. as assistant general manager in 1929. * * * Protests are to be made against the importation of foreign musicians for British talkers, on the ground of widespread unemployment among native musicians. * * * British International is so pleased with the results of the first sequences shot by Dufaycolor for "Radio Parade of 1935" that it is scheduling several further sequences for color. Toeplitz Productions has placed on permanent contract Franz Planer, cameraman, and Andre Andreiev, art director, as a result of their work on "The Dictator." Fox British has completed its second picture at Wembley, "The Love Test," and is beginning work immediately on a third, "His Majesty and Company," a musical. Fox's first picture at the studio was "Borrow a Million." * * * Charles "Buddy" Rogers is to star in "Dance Band" for B.I.P., Marcel Varnel directing. The entire company of "Blackbirds of 1935" are to appear. * * * One of the biggest scenes ever filmed at Shepherd's Bush has just been completed by Gaumont-British for "For Ever England." Picturing the sinking of a battleship in action, it entailed the suspension of a 16-ton set representing a stokehold over the studio's biggest water-tank, and its gradual lowering into the water. Sequences of the charge of the Scots Greys have been completed at Edinburgh for G-B's "The Iron Duke," and the production unit has moved to Salisbury Plain. * * * Thomas Bentley has practically finished shooting on "The Old Curiosity Shop," at B. I. P. Elstree. * * * Lawrence Planray was a late addition to the cast of "Murder at Monte Carlo" (WarnerFirst National), now completed. Leslie Hiscott has begun direction at Twickenham on "Valley of Fear," originally entitled "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes." Lyn Harding is playing Professor Moriarty. * H. F. Maltby and James Raglan have been added to the cast of "The Morals of Marcus," Lupe Velez production, at Twickenham. Adrienne Allen is making her scenes. * * * Elizabeth Bergner has begun interiors for "Escape Me Never" at the British and Dominions studios, Elstree. The unit did three weeks of exterior shooting in the Dolomites and at Venice. Literary Digest In Exhibitor Drive On Review Section A. E. Siegel of the Motion l?icture Division of "The Literary Digest" this, week issued the follotving publicity statement: The Literary Digest this week is conducting a direct-by-mail campaign to all American exhibitors.* Every theatre manager and motion picture executive in the country will receive an announcement outlining, in detail, the Digest's recently instituted department of motion picture reviews and rating method. That a publication of the prestige of The Literary Digest, with a nation-wide reading circle of millions, should regularly review all worthwhile full-length features, is a significant tribute to the tremendous public appeal of motion pictures. The Digest's review policy includes rating by letters. Four A's (AAAA) represent "outstanding films," three A's (AAA) represent "recommended films," etc., and ratings with a star (*) indicate films suitable for children. Alert theatre managers' and exploiters, in many parts of the country, are already taking advantage of the Digest's popularity, as well as the magazine's wide and influential circulation, by tying up their advertising and publicity with Four-A and Three-A reviews appearing in the magazine every M^eek. While it is not generally known, the page is being edited by Richard Watts, Jr., of the Herald-Tribune, under the pen name of "Argus." Watts took first honors in the current season's "Film Critics Box Score" conducted by Variety. *See Editorial Page. Wanger Plans Air Film The freight and passenger planes of the Pan-American Airlines, called "clipper ships," are to be the subject of a motion picture to be produced by Walter Wanger for Paramount release. The tentative title is "Clipper Ship." Hears Receiver Action Judge Benson W. Hough, in United States district court at Columbus, Ohio, last week, on motion of the Provident Savings Bank and Trust Company, Cincinnati, heard argument of counsel relative to setting aside appointment of Ben L. Heidingsfeld as receiver for the Shubert and Cox theatres. Warner Promotes Albert Arnold Albert has been promoted to exploitation editor assisting Gilbert Golden in charge of Warner press books. Mr. Albert succeeds Lee Blumberg, who becomes assistant production manager, under the supervision of Sidney C. Davidson. Kenton-Schine Suit Ends Kenton Amusement Company, Kenton, Ohio, has ended suits to compel continuation of the 20-year lease given to Schine Chain Theatres, Inc., and personal operation of the theatre and office building. A settlement was reached, with the theatre to reopen shortly.