Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1943)

22 Paramount Head in Britain Says Many Such Films Not Based on Fact British theatre business in the past 60 days has dropped, and David Rose, Paramount managing director in the British Isles, thinks it may be because there have been too many films with war themes. Mr. Rose, who arrived in New York this week from London by Clipper for home office conferences, said that a large percentage of war features "are not based on fact" and that the British public is too close to the war to forgive exaggeration. He said that British studios are producing as many war pictures as the American, but insisted that "as a whole" they are based ■"more on facts than Hollywood's." War Pictures One of Several Reasons "Even the very good ones are suffering," he said; "and that is because the public is tired. "However," he added, "I do not say that war films are the only reason for the attendance decrease; I say that I personally believe it is one of the reasons. Another reason is the increased daylight — people are taking advantage of it, and many are attending to their farms more than before." Of the protest by the British Cinematograph Exhibitors Association (exhibitors) to the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America last week, against alleged "grading" of pictures by the major distributors, Mr. Rose denied there was concerted action, and said there is no grading to his "knowledge." Paramount To Sell Big Films On Percentage But he added : "My company expects to sell its big pictures on a percentage basis. We have been doing that for the past six or eight months. MGM, for instance, has always done it. I think it's only fair all the way around." He also asserted that British film companies had been selling their pictures on a percentage basis. The Russians have been distributing pictures in Great Britain, through the established companies, and Paramount is distributing "The Story of Stalingrad," which in release in this country will be called "The City That Stopped Hitler," and is being edited now in Hollywood, Mr. Rose noted. However, Russian films, in spite of such arrangements in Britain, and in spite of "great sentiment for Russia" among the British, are "doing only just fair," Mr. Rose •commented. Of film price ceilings, such as proposed in this country, Mr. Rose expressed ignorance of such an arrangement, discussed or planned, in Great Britain ; and he observed : "I don't see how it could be done." Ceilings, in his estimation, would mean the grading of pictures, because it would MOTION PICTURE HERALD Photo by Staff Photographer DAVID ROSE be unfair to ask the same price for a "B" picture, and, for instance, "For Whom the Bell Tolls." Paramount in Great Britain is waiting for talent and studio space before resuming production, Mr. Rose said. Its personnel is now working with Paul Soskin, producer, on the script of "Signed with Their Honor," which, when studio space is obtained, probably will be the first to go into work. The script of "The Admirable Crichton" is completed, but the company is waiting until it can obtain the services of Laurence Olivier. "Hatter's Castle," from the A. J. Cronin book, is still being released in Great Britain. It was made and distributed there last year. Of the studio space situation, Mr. Rose noted that the Government had preempted much space ; and, in fact, were using the Pinewood studio for storage and for the Crown Film Unit pictures. Mr. Rose praised the rise of J. Arthur Rank in production and exhibition, calling Mr. Rank "a great asset" to motion pictures, and observing that he already had invested between £1,500,000 and £2,000.000 in production. Gill Joins 20+h-Fox Clifford Gill has been added to the exploitation staff of Twentieth Century-Fox in San Francisco. Fred Norman, Stockton exhibitor, has joined the United Artists' exchange in the same city. James Myers, Republic salesman, and Ray Kaliski and Ronald McDonnell, Paramount, all in the San Francisco area, have resigned to enter war work. Major Pare Lorentz Weds Miss Elizabeth Meyer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Meyer of Mount Kisco, whose father is publisher of the Washington Post, was married this week to Major Pare Lorentz of the Army Air Forces, at the home of the bride's parents. Major Lorentz formerly was a producer of documentary films. July 3. I 943 Press Demand For Rental Ceiling Law Despite the imminent adjournment of Congress for the summer and reported Washington opposition, a ceiling on film rentals will still be sought by a group of independent New England exhibitors. Their counsel, George R. Farnum, on Monday said that his clients were determined to press for legal control of film prices. The drive was begun last week. Mr. Farnum said that his group was aware that motion pictures are currently excluded from the Price Administration Act but said that he believed it possible to amend the measure so as to permit ceilings. He denied that it would restrict constitutional guarantees of free expression. The Boston lawyer and former U. S. attorney is now studying film controls under Canada's price ceiling plan. He is also examining the application to films of OPA regulations in other fields. "These independent exhibitors believe that the proper thing to do is to seek legislation establishing a ceiling on present exorbitant film rentals. If successful here I believe that adoption of the plan may spread throughout the country," he said. It was reported that several New England congressmen had signified their willingness to sponsor the legislation. At New York Monday the Unaffiliated Exhibitors, Inc., announced that they had postponed until July Sth the committee visit to Washington. It will seek controls of film prices and urge renewal of the Government's antitrust suit against the major distributors. Australia Studies Rental Controls Film rentals are entitled to no exception from Australian price ceilings, although distributors have been permitted to file petitions for increases, it was learned by foreign departments from the American Minister at Canberra. The Australian price commissioner was reported to favor rigid controls for film prices, in the pattern of the Canadian regulations which set prices at 1941 levels. American distributors, led by Paramount and Twentieth Century-Fox, are reported from Australia to be preparing arguments in behalf of ceiling exemptions. The price commissioner has granted permission for them to file evidence of increased production costs or improved quality in current product as justification for increased prices. The distributors also have argued that the price controls deprive distributor and producer of a fair share of high theatre receipts. Hold "Bomber's Moon" Showings Trade showings of Twentieth Century-Fox's "Bomber's Moon" will be held at all company branch offices except St. Louis and Portland, Ore., on July 7th, it was announced this week. The St. Louis showing on that day will be at the Srenco screening room and in Portland at the Star Film Exchange. Shift Warner Manager Henry Krumm, Warner branch manager ir Memphis, has been promoted to manager c* the Atlanta exchange. Ed Williamson has succeeded Mr. Krumm. Monogram July Releases Set Monogram will release "Spy Train," July 9th; "The Stranger from Pecos" July 16th; "Wings Over the Pacific," July 23rd; "Ghosts on the Loose," July 30th. War Themes Cutting British Cross: Rose