Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1946)

Sweden to Make 60 Next Season BRITISH MOVE TO REGULATE 16mm Distributors, Exhibitors Adopt Four-Point Policy to Control Operation by PETER BURNUP in London A four-point policy aimed at the control of British 16mm exhibition has been drawn up by the secretaries of the Kinematograph Renters Society and the Cinematograph Exhibitors Association and adopted in its entirety by a joint committee of the two bodies. Main points of the agreement are: 1. The necessity of a general trade practice ruling sub-standard exhibition with especial provision that 16mm distributors shall give preference *o existing exhibitors. 2. Advice to exhibitors that they should immediately stake their claims for 16mm exhibition in areas not covered by 35mm. 3. Both associations should admit to membership 16mm distributors and exhibitors so that departure from accepted standards may be minimized. 4. Regularization of the position of 16mm entertainment film libraries now in operation. Constitutionally, ratification of the agreement's terms is required by full meetings of the associations ; but ratification is already assured. Non-theatrical films are specifically excluded from the agreement, the committee holding that they are mainly used elsewhere than in cinemas for purposes of education and propaganda. A joint committee of the CEA and KRS will decide whether a film is theatrical or non-theatrical. For Own Preservation Says the report, detailing its recommendations in regard to purely theatrical films : "The film industry has every justification in protecting itself for the sake of its own preservation. 16mm theatrical films, while the present views of licensing authorities prevail, can be shown anywhere without restriction and at admission prices much lower than those charged in commercial theatres. "As the supply of 16mm films would not be forthcoming without the production in the first instance of 35mm films, it is obvious that distributors of films will create trouble not only for themselves but for all concerned by putting into circulation films of different dimensions with different earning capacities." It will be necessary, the report indicates, to have an agreed trade pronouncement that by voluntary agreement between KRS, as owners of the films, and CEA, as users, having interests to protect in a legitimate man ner, no theatrical 16mm films shall be available for exhibition in areas served by cinemas with 35 mm equipment. Another facet of the problem demanding early consideration relates to distributor subsidiaries, such as J. Arthur Rank's G.B. Equipments. The reports points out that many dull non-theatrical 16mm programs, for which no charge for admission is made, can be enlivened by the inclusion of an old entertainment film with a popular star. The promoter could hire such a film for a small fee and thereby attract a considerable nonpaying attendance ; such attendance being lost, of course, to the commercial cinemas. Urge 16mm Membership Says the report in this connection : "For purposes of control ... it would be desirable for the KRS to give consideration to the inclusion within its society of 16mm distributors and similarly that the CEA should admit 16mm exhibitors to membership." Despite these recommendations for the maintenance of the status quo, the report counsels exhibitors to start staking out claims for 16mm exhibitions in sites without 35mm theatres. The KRS, the report says, should be prepared to give preference to an established exhibitor. It may be anticipated that a considerable flock of the brethren will proceed to do just that. Meanwhile, American renters trading here one after another hasten to reassure their customers that the advent of 16mm will in no way affect their interests. KMTA to Protest 1 6mm Rim Shows in Public Buildings The Kansas-Missouri Theatres Association last week in Kansas City authorized its legal committee to take whatever steps are necessary to halt the practice of exhibiting 16mm commercial films in tax-supported buildings. '■ The KMTA procedure is intended to take the pressure off association members who might be embarrassed in making a direct protest, George Baker, secretary, said. Mr. Baker urged members in a recent KMTA bulletin to notify him "in event your local school or clubs use school property or public auditoriums for which expenses are financed by taxes" so that a protest could be made. Hofne Buys "Home of Brave" Hal Horne, chairman of the board of Story Productions, has announced the purchase of "Home of the Brave," the prizewinning war-theme play by Arthur Laurents which recently concluded a Broadway run. Mr. Laurents will adapt the play for the screen. by GOSTA ERKELL in Stockholm Sweden will produce 60 features for the next season. Ten of these already have been completed, 13 are in production and the remainder should be completed within six months. Total cost will be approximately 20,000,000 crowns— about $5,000,000. Two, perhaps three, of the features will be produced in the studios at Copenhagen, Denmark. One is already in work there. V Ingrid Bergman, a home town girl, is Sweden's favorite American film star, according to a poll of the country by Filmjournalen, Sweden's leading fan magazine. She received 78 per cent of all votes cast. Next in popularity are Gary Cooper, Humphrey Bogart, Van Johnson, Bing Crosby, Spencer Tracy, Esther Williams, Errol Flynn, Bette Davis and Clarke Gable. Viveca Lindfors, only recently arrived in Hollywood, was voted Sweden's favorite Swedish actress. V There is currently some English production activity in Sweden. A children's educational short, "Peter and Pat in Sweden," has been completed for the British Children's Clubs and Emmeric Pressburger has been in Stockholm in behalf of a forthcoming British picture, "The Red Shoes," part of which will be filmed in Sweden. British Army Entertainment Service Is Disbanded England's Entertainment National Service Association, created by the Government during the war to offer entertainment to servicemen, has been ordered disbanded. A newly-formed organization, the Army Kinematograph Service, will handle the ordering and exhibition of entertainment films for the Army. Training' films will continue to be made under AKS but will be produced by commercial firms. According to present plans AKS will commence operating in the British Army zone in the Rhine area by the end of May and in the South East Asia Command by the year's end. The Royal Air Force has plans well advanced for the adoption of a similar plan. Circuit Division Heads See Prefabricated House National Theatres division presidents, who ended their semi-annual meeting at the company's headquarters in Los Angeles last week, visited Long Beach to inspect the first prefabricated theatre now under construction there. Richard Dickson addressed them at the meeting on the importance of property maintenance, pending availability of material for new construction, and they heard reports from Allen May and William Lyris, in charge of the candy and popcorn departments, respectively. 26 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JUNE I, 1946