Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1944)

FRENCH PLAN 150 FILMS IN 1945 Seek U, S, Major Release; If Unsuccessful, to Set Up Own Exchanges The French film industry, in which General Charles de Gaulle is "vitally interested," plans to make some 150 pictures during 1945. An attempt will be made during the next two months to obtain major release here for at least one-third of this product, the "A" productions, and, if this effort is not successful, French producers will set up their own distribution exchanges in the United States. This disclosure was made last Friday by Simon SchifYrin, head of the motion picture division of the French Press and Information Service, De Gaulle agency in the U. S., and representative of the Minister of Information, Paris, who met the trade press at a cocktail party in honor of Pierre Blanchar, French actor and producer, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, New York. Although production is now at a standstill, due to lack of power and materials, the studios, sound equipment and laboratories there are in good condition and resumption of production is anticipated for the near future, Mr. Schiffrin said. 200 Made in Four Years Some two hundred pictures were made during the four years of German occupation and, of these. 35 to 40 were suitable for foreign distribution, while the remainder were either of poor quality or contained Nazi propaganda, Mr. Schiffrin said. He added that the French government would exercise control over films exported from and imported to that country. The 1934 law permitting the showing of pictures with super-imposed titles in only 15 theatres throughout France would be retained on the statute books, but certain exceptions to its operation would be allowed, Mr. Schifirrin said. A board of censorship to pass on product exported from France and foreign product coming to that country had been set up recently in Paris, he added. Mr. Schiffrin expressed the opinion that France was the logical place for the dubbing of foreign product into French, declaring that the actors there were best equipped for this work, and that recent dubbing in England had proved unsatisfactory. Money Available for Producing Twenty-five motion picture theatres were open in Paris when he left there and there was plenty of money available for production in France, said Mr. Schiffrin, who arrived in New York October 25. He pointed out that the average cost of French "A" productions ranged from 12,000,000 to 14,000,000 francs, the franc now being two cents. Mr. Schiffrin brought a documentary film, "The Liberation of Paris," and three features made during the occupation. He will exhibit them in Hollywood, where he will visit before returning to France two months hence. As yet, no plans for their distribution here have been made. The Office of War Information may distribute "The Liberation of Paris," with Charles Boyer, who was present at the press conference, doing the narration. The 30-minute docu INTERVIEW. Simon Schiffrin, U.S. head of the French Ministry of Information film section, and Pierre Blanchar, French actor and a leader in his country's resistance movement, at the cocktail-interview last week at the Ritz-Carlton, New York, where the two, just arrived from France, outlined General Charles de Gaulle's plans for a revived French film industry. mentary was filmed by 25 French cameramen under the direction of Mr. Blanchar, who led the resistance in the French industry during the occupation. It will be shown for the first time in the U. S. November 12, at Hunter College, New York. Heads Liberation Committee Mr. Blanchar, who is president of the Committee of Liberation of the French Cinema, accompanied Mr. Schiffrin to the U. S. and is the first Frenchman to come here from liberated France. In his speech to the gathering, he said : "My mission is to bring to the United States the realization that for the most part the French moving picture industry and artists, during the four years of German occupation, fought constantly against German vigilance ; and that in spite of moral and material difficulties resulting from the occupation, the industry succeeded in keeping its quality and style. "Long before the liberation of Paris, the Committee of Liberation of the industry had prepared a plan for the future of this industry. The success of this plan depends, of course, on the final form of government which France will have, and can only be provisional at present. "This provisional plan is as democratic as the regime imposed on the French film industry between 1940 and the liberation was dictatorial. The purpose of this plan is to place the management of the film industry in the hands of those who actually make the films. The plan seeks a just definition of the position of the producer. It seeks to encourage competition within the industry for the improvement of the quality of the films. Finally, it seeks to organize the export and import of films." "Poncarral," one of the three features they Russian Screen Rule FIRST disclosure of the policy of Russia for Hie motion picture and the rest of the arts of communication in its share of post-war Europe comes in the terms of the armistice with Bulgaria. The Soviet High Command will decide everything. The text of the terms of the armistice was released by the United Press from Washington this week. It includes: ARTICLE Fill The publication, introduction and distribution in Bulgaria of periodical, or non periodical literature, the presentation of theatrical performances of cinema films, the operation of wireless stations, post, telegraph and telephone services will take place in agreement with the Allied {Soviet) High Command. This merely extends into areas of Russian control the policy of state control always maintained across the Soviets. brought here with them, was chosen, Mr. Blanchar said, because in the novel on which the picture is based, he saw the possibility of presenting to the public, under the appearance of an historical picture, a state of mind akin to resistance which would be a great encouragement to the immense majority of French opinion. He also pointed out that it furnished an opportunity to maintain the artistic quality of French films and to resist German influence. The other features are "Goupi Mains Rouges" and "Honorable Catharine." All three, Mr. Schiffrin said, gave "just an idea" of what the French industry was able to do despite the handicaps placed on it by the Germans, and will be shown privately. He predicted a bright future for French films in the post -war period in France and in the foreign market. Moss on Exploitation Tour for Parannount Exploitation plans on forthcoming Paramount films, beginning with pre-release engagements ot "Frenchman's Creek," are being discussed by Alec Moss, Paramount exploitation manager, during a tour around the country on which he left October 30. He is meeting with district managers and branch managers and district advertising represen tatives, and is conferring with representative ex hibitors, newspapermen, radio contacts and others While in the field, Mr. Moss will gather information to be used in planning campaigns on sucl pictures as "Our Hearts Were Young and Gay," "And Now Tomorrow," "Ministry of Fear," "Here Come the Waves" and "Practically Yours." Franklin-Herschorn Deal With FPC Not Renewed Franklin and Herschorn, independent Canadiai circuit which operates seven theatres in Halifax N. S., and St. John, N. B., has not renewed its dea with Famous Players Canadian, it was reporte this week. The circuit long has been affiliate with FPC, but is understood to be desirous of op erating independently in the future. Levinson and Martin Elected To Warner Distributor Unit Howard Levinson of Warners' home office le gal staff, and T. J. Martin, auditor, have beei elected to the board of directors. of Warner Bros Pictures Distributing Corporation, filling th( posts vacated by H. S. Bareford, who is on leav for service with the Army, and Joseph Hazer who recently left the company. 42 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, NOVEMBER 4, 1944