Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1944)

Mexican Studios Face Shortage of Raw Stock in 1945 by LUIS BECERRA CELIS in Mexico City A decrease in raw stock supplies from the U. S. to the extent that rationing to producers, made necessary in 1944 to conserve this material, will be so severe in 1945 as possibly to limit production to 40, compared with the record 85 counted upon for this year, is feared by producers. That is seen as provoking a grave situation in this industry, although, some sources hold, it might be a blessing — causing exclusive production of top flight pictures and a minimum of duds. These sources point to the fact that several Mexican pictures have done very well indeed in 1944. Raw stock rationing this year has been on the basis of preference to those producers who have proved that they know their business. If there is less raw stock next year, this policy must of necessity be more exacting. But reports are that the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs may arrange for a raw stock supply for Mexico in 1945 that will about match that of this year. V Local exhibitors have obtained a considerable decrease in their operating expenses with the National Supreme Court granting a representative group of them an injunction against further enforcement of the emergency law the Federal District Government enacted January 21, 1943, which made it compulsory for exhibitors here to pay the salary of municipal treasury inspectors who ward over their theatres. The court ruled that this law was unconstitutional and held that the war emergency situation was not a valid reason for its enactment. The exhibitors had fought the law in the courts from the day it went into effect. V The theatre public faces a five-per cent tax on tickets as Congress has before it a bill demanding that impost on all amusement admissions, luxury articles and betting that is legalized, to afford funds for the feeding of the numerous undernourished children of Mexico. Congress is expected to act on the measure early next year. It is considered that it will pass it as the Government is doing much to relieve distress in Mexico. V Figures of the Treasury Department of the local Municipal Government, based entirely on Sunday attendance in this city of 1,750,000 show an average of 350,000 persons attending the cinemas, of which 75 are in operation here; 35,000 the horse races, 22,000 the bullfight, 20,000 football matches, 15,000 stage theatres and 3,000 Spanish handball games. The department adds that this average is a good gauge for the other days of the week, although in a lesser proportion, and that the cinemas are by far the most popular entertainment. V Spanish producers have sent representatives here to select Mexican players for work in their production in Spain. Spain and Portugal are soon to see 11 hand-picked Mexican films. They were chosen by Olallo Rubio, manager of HispanoMexico Films, important distributor of Mexican pictures in both those countries. Alfonso Laserna, important Costa Rican exhibitor, is here booking Mexican pictures for his circuit. V Officers for the 1944-45 term of the National Association of Motion Picture Impresarios, include : President, Antonio Osio, manager of the Cine Olimpia^ local first run theatre ; Vice President : Manuel Espinosa Iglesias, manager of the Operadora de Teatros, the large circuit recently organized; Manuel Angel Fernandez, former manager of the Cine Principal, local subsequent run theatre that labor troubles gave to its attaches to run cooperatively, treasurer, and secretary: Francisco Somohano, head of a large circuit in southeastern Mexico. Emilio Azcarraga, important exhibitor, resigned as president but was elected counsellor. 32 LAW WOULD COMPEL DUBBING IN MEXICO A law to compel all foreign companies that dub their pictures in Spanish for exhibition in Mexico to have that work done in Mexico and by Mexicans is being drafted for early presentation to President Manuel Avila Camacho by representatives of the industry and the Ministry of the Interior, the chief government department. Brazilian Theatre Building Up 40 Per Cent, Lewis Says There has been an increase of 30 to 40 per cent in theatre building in Brazil since the start of the war, David Lewis, MGM manager there, declared in an interview last weekend. Mr. Lewis, in New York for his first visit in two years, said that about 25 houses were built yearly. A good deal of attention was paid, he said, to better sound and projection equipment, remodeling and fixing of theatre fronts. As for production, there are only four or five features made annually despite the advantageous legislation in favor of national production. Every Brazilian theatre must play one national feature yearly. However, there is considerable production of newsreels and shorts. Some 600 of both are made annually. About 85 per cent of all features of U. S. companies are exhibited in Brazil yearly, occupying the majority of playing time of Brazil's 1,800 houses. The American spectacular film with little emphasis on dialogue is best liked. Mr. Lewis will leave in about five weeks for Rio after concluding his. home office conferences and taking a vacation. He said that MGM was the only American company in Brazil owning its own theatres, the company having four. Says U. S. Connpanies Do Little About Mexican Producing American companies have done little toward production in Mexico to date, despite the many reports of contemplated production there, Jacob Epstein, Universal's managing director in Mexico, reported this week. Mr. Epstein spent several weeks at home office conferences before returning to his post. Mr. Epstein said that business south of the Rio Grande was good for both American and Mexican pictures, and that the native product had created wider audiences for Hollywood films, rather than harmed them. Indirect benefits for U. S. product, he reported, had been gained from the necessity of improving sound and projection in the smaller houses to give proper screening to Spanish-speaking films, thus enlarging the circle of patrons. Mr. Epstein said there was still room in Mexico City for more second and subsequent' run houses, but that there were sufficient first run theatres. Silverstein District Manager For Universal International The appointment of Maurice Silverstein as district manager for the Caribbean area of Universal International Films has been announced by J. H. Seidelman, president. Mr. Silverstein has been engaged in international film activities for 17 years. Until about a year ago he was stationed in Brazil for Universal as home office representative, when he went into the service of the Office of War Information. Having completed his assignment in Europe for the Office of War Information, Mr. Silverstein returned to Universal. Midnight Shows Banned Theatres in New Haven and Waterburv, Conn., were not permitted to plan continuous performances playing through the midnight show, for the day before New Year's, in accordance with Sunday theatre restrictions. The bans were not enforced strictly by other Connecticut towns. Sudekum Begins ti Drop Interest in 47 Theatres Vanquished by the Department of Justice in t U. S. Supreme Court decision of December 1 Tony Sudekum, president of the Crescent Amus' : ment Company, and other defendants have begi the process of divestiture of interest in 47 hous of their affiliated companies, according to Geor H. Armistead, Crescent's chief counsel. The th atres, located in 23 towns in Tennessee, Nor Carolina, Kentucky and Alabama, are expected be unloaded by May 16, 1945, in compliance wi the terms of Federal Judge Elmer D. Davies' i junction of May 16, 1944, affirmed by the country highest tribunal. Although affected by the injunction again franchises or other film licensing contracts wiaffiliated corporations, the theatre holdings Crescent Amusement Co. are not subject divesture since the entire stock is held by Vi Sudekum and members of his family. In 19^ Crescent owned and operated 47 houses in | towns outside of Nashville in Tennessee, Alabanand Kentucky. Twenty-eight of the 47 were oris nated by Crescent and the remainder was acquir' by purchase or lease. Gadsen and Decatur, AL and Bowling Green and Hopkinsville, Ky., oi side of Nashville, are the largest cities, each wi three theatres, in the Crescent circuit. The avt age capacity of the 47 houses is 750, with orfive exceeding 1,000 seating capacity. Cresce Amusement Co. was organized with two theatres Nashville in 1907 by Mr. Sudekum. Got Interest in Cumberland do In 1928 Crescent acquired one half interest the Cumberland Amusement Co., then headed R. T. Hill. In 1941, this corporation owned a operated 13 theatres in 10 towns, confined to mii die and east Tennessee. Crown Oldham on Juf 1, 1939, succeeded Mr. Hill as general mamgl with Mr. Sudekum as president. Largest the tre in the Cumberland circuit is the Sam Davis Pulaski, which, with a population of 5,314, is t largest town in the circuit. Six theatres of the were originated by the present owners and sev were acquired. Under the terms of the injuncti Crescent and the principal defendants will have sell their 50 per cent interest in Cumberland Amu^, ment Co. and Mr. Sudekum will have to resign president. It is predicted that Mr. Oldham v^' purchase the interest that must be sold. The Rockwood Amusements, Inc., was esta,, lished in 1936 by K. C. Stengel, son-in-law oi VT, Sudekum and an employee of Crescent Amu ment Co. Rockwood, in 1941, owned and ope' ated 14 theatres in 13 towns in Tennessee a Kentucky. Cherokee Amusements, Inc., which in 19 owned and operated 15 theatres in 10 towns Tennessee and North Carolina, was owned Parrott and Hendren prior to a sale of pne-h£ interest to Rockwood Amusement Co. in 19,''' The Capitol, in Erwin, Tenn., with a seati capacity of 696, is the largest in the circuit, wi LaFollette, with a population of 4,373, the largi town. Muscle Shoals Status Not Clear ^ Muscle Shoals Theatres, operating theatres „ Florence, Tuscumbia, Sheffield and Athens, Al) is owned jointly by Louis Rosenbaum, of Florenand Mrs. Nettie Sudekum, wife of Mr. Sudeku Rosenbaum is general manager of this circuit. Sir\ Mrs. Sudekum was not included as a Crescent < fendant in the injunction and Rosenbaurn does n own any interest in any other corporation, Jud Elmer D. Davies will probably be asked for directive in this instance. As vice-president of the Crescent Amusemc Co. and president of the Rockwood, with its i terests in other corporations, Mr. Stengel neg tiated film deals for the Crescent, Rockwood, Lyr and Kentucky companies. Mr. Oldham bought f; Cumberland and Mr. Rosenbaum for Mijsc Shoals. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 30, 19