Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1943)

January 30, I 943 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 33 FURTHER RAW STOCK CUTS FORESEEN FOR 1943 Print Reduction Is Small Despite Film Shortage Despite forecasts in some quarters last autumn that curtailment of raw film stock by the War Production Board would result in large scale reduction early this year by major distributors of the number of prints made for each feature, the cut has been slight thus far. According to a number of exchange operation managers in home offices, it was reported this week that print availability remains about the same as last year for every big-budget production and that reductions thus far have been made only in connection with smaller scale pictures. It is estimated that about 300 to 350 prints are made for each large feature by most of the major companies, including MGM, Paramount, RKO, Twentieth Century-Fox and Warners, and that this number currently obtains for 1943 releases. The number of prints for smaller features, which varies from 40 to 50 per film, has been reduced but slightly. It is estimated that the cuts are not more than 10 per cent over last year in this direction. Print availability for the balance of the 1942-43 season and for next season, however, probably will take a sharp decline, it is said, pending further raw stock cuts by the WPB. Most of the distributors report, meanwhile, that difficulties in print transportation, resulting from gasoline shortages throughout the country, have been adjusted and that operation continues for the most part without any serious interference. Industry Told Demand of U. S. Agencies Makes Film More Critical Warnings that still less film will be available during 1943 for the entertainment motion picture industry were brought back from Washington last week by members of the producers advisory committee, following meetings with the War Production Board. Government officials made no promises of specific predictions on the amount of film which would be allocated to the industry during the second and subsequent quarters of the year. But those who attended the 1 sessions on Thursday and Friday left Washington with the impression that still further slashes in raw stock quotas are not far off. WPB officials seemed to be paving the way for announcement of new curbs on film use, delegates from New York and Hollywood said. Harold B. Hopper, chief of the WPB motion picture section, told the committee that rapidly increasing Army, Navy, Board of Economic Warfare and ether government agency film needs have made the commodity more critical than ever. The whole film supply situation, from manufacturer to screen was canvassed at the meet: ings. Thursday the film manufacturers advisory committee met with Mr. Hopper to discuss their probable output during ensuing months, and to seek ways of increasing this production. Friday representatives of producers and distributors discussed further economy in film use. Much of the meeting time of the producers advisory committee was spent in discussion of how the quotas recently set for the first quarter of 1943 are being met. Order L-178, revised, of the WPB on January 1st cut initial 1943 consumption of film by 25 per cent of 1941 levels for the larger producers. Small independents must slash at least 12 per cent from their 1941 total. All Possible Economies Are Being Made Representatives of the industry were reported to have told the WPB that every possible ! economy in production and distribution is being made to comply with this order. There was also some speculation on what further cuts { could be made to accommodate the additional , reductions hinted at by the government spokes i men. Although the discussion was general, avoid' ing mention of individual company quotas, it ' was reported that representatives of the small 1 and independent producers and distributors protested against their inclusion in a flat 25 per cent reduction. Proportionally it would be a much greater hardship on the small producer, they said. They pointed out also that the 1941 standard was based on a relatively low level of production. These reports of new reductions ahead already have stirred protest from at least six producers. These are understood to include RKO, Universal, United Artists, Monogram, Republic and Producers Releasing Corporation. Spokesmen have said that they regard the 1941 basis as giving a substantial advantage to the five major distributors, inasmuch as independent production was relatively low during that season. Protest Deferred Pending Meeting Active protest to the War Production Board has been deferred, however, until the advisory committee again meets with the WPB in February. At that time these companies expect to have ample statistical support for their position. The film manufacturers' representatives in their session with Mr. Hopper and his staff were urged to seek further ways of increasing output of 16mm. and 35mm. film. This must be done, however, without using critical material for new machines, and without interference with film production for the services. In New York, representatives of the two largest film makers, Eastman and duPont, pointed out that their plants had been operating in excess of rated capacity for months. They expressed doubt that much more footage could be squeezed from overworked machines and staffs. Also, they were pessimistic over increasing inroads on commercial business by high priority government orders. Film manufacturers for some time have been anxious for the establishment of some agency to coordinate high priority orders for films. The Army, with a vast training film, aviation photography, and Signal Corps motion picture program, is understood to be by far the largest government purchaser. However, the Navy and Marine Corps also are rapidly expanding their motion picture sections. The newly reorganized photographic section of the Naval Bureau of Aeronautics, construction of laboratory facilities at the Navy Department and new tactical interest in motion pictures have greatly increased Navy orders. A centralized film, purchasing commission, industry sources said, would eliminate duplication and wasteful buying. Although in hearty accord with military theories of "too much rather than too little" film, some observers say that much film bought by the services never will be exposed. In support of this they mention a film warehouse in the New York area. Heavily guarded, it is understood to be crammed with government film purchased months ago. Little of it is moved out. Normally 35mm. film should be used within a year of manufacture, experts said. Newsreel Reductions Studied by Committee The producers advisory committee informed the WPB of agreements to hold newsreels to an average of 750 feet per issue, as reported in Motion Picture Herald on December 19th. These cuts are now in effect, and have been made without disruption or loss of news coverage, editors said. Reduction in the number of prints of newsreels is expected to increase their play off span from three weeks to four. The question of waste was brought up at the meeting in a report showing that the internal footage used in technicolor is much higher than the two per cent figured for black and white. The committee will study the question further, before asking WPB exceptions for the color process. Increased demand for film through the Board of Economic Warfare is understood to be in behalf of the film making agencies of Allied and friendly nations in South America, and elsewhere. Virtually all Latin American print stock, as well as film for North Africa, Australia, India, China and elsewhere comes from the United States. Deliveries of film for prints or camera have (Continued on following page, column 1)