Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1946)

French Studios May Produce 100 This Year by MAURICE BESSY in Paris France's production for 1946 is expected to total 100 features, a figure not reached since before the war, when between 110 and 120 features were produced annually. Business sources estimated the industry will take a loss of a little over $4,200,000 on those 100 features, which will cost more than $16,800,000 to produce. Cost of production here has risen sharply. In 1939 it cost about 2,500,000 francs for an average picture. Today it costs 10 times as much to produce the same picture — approximately 25,000,000 francs or about $210,000. Domestic gross for the 100 features is estimated at 10 billion francs, of which no more than one billion or a billion and a half francs will go to the producers. Taxes, the exhibitors' percentage and ifil^^sts of production will take more than tne real, putting the industry in the hole. It is known that an increase in admission is now impossible as increases were levied only last October 1. The only hope of the industry would be in a reduction of the heavy taxes on gross receipts, but, due to the difficult situation of the State Treasury, such hopes are not allowed at present. Taxes would take three billion of the estimated 10 billion in gross receipts for the 100 features. Eight American films have been released in Paris first run theatres since November 1, together with one British picture, "Brief Encounter"; one Italian picture, "Rome, Open City," and a French feature produced in Italy. The American pictures are "Fantasia," "Destry Rides Again," "Conflict," "The Magnificent Ambersons," "Palm Beach Story," "You Belong to Me," "All This and Heaven Too" and "Mrs. Miniver." V Electricity has been severly cut here, which is a serious blow to French exhibitors and producers. Since November 20, each French region and main town has been divided into three sectors, with each sector deprived of electricity for two consecutive days— from 7:30 A.M. one day to 7:30 P.M. the next day. The current, however, is turned on at nightfall on the currentless days for private homes and shops. Motion picture theatres are allowed to start their afternoon performances on those days at 5:30 P.M. 20% for Chicago Union A 20% raise was granted to Chicago Laboratory Technicians, Local 780 (IATSEAFL) taking effect Monday, December 2. Gene Atkinson, business manager of the union, concluded the agreement in individual contracts with the laboratories. Some 170 technicians are covered by the raise. Admission and Reel Taxes Proposed in Vermont Two taxes having a direct bearing on the motion picture industry as new sources of revenue for Vermont have been recommended by the Commissioner on State Government and Finance. The first proposal is an admission tax of 10 per cent on all entertainment ticket sales, estimated to yield $225,000 annually, and the second is a motion picture reel tax of 50 cents for each showing of each reel of film. This tax is estimated to bring an additional $182,500 to the state yearly. British Product Gains in Holland by PHILIP DE SCHAAP in Amsterdam One year ago Eagle-Lion Film-Maatschappij N. V., representatives of the J. Arthur Rank circuit, started its activities in Holland and within a very short time this company has grown to be one of the most popular film distributors in Holland. The British picture is much more popular here now than it was before the war. Quality has improved and English actors are well known. Pictures such as "2,000 Women," "Madonna of the Seven Moons," "Blithe Spirit" and "The Seventh Veil" belong to the most successful group of box office films ever played here and a long run is expected for "Brief Encounter." The Tuschinski circuit has started to show "Caesar and Cleopatra." Much of the Eagle-Lion success is due to the enormous enthusiasm, vitality and energy of the company's manager, Job Weening, who has a very successful career in the Dutch film trade behind him. He started in the industry 25 years ago with Nebima, a former distributing office. Later he joined the staff of Paramount's branch office and finally became assistant manager of that company. He was with Paramount until the start of the war. In 1944, in Belgium, he participated in SHAEF activities for Holland and in 1945 he joined EagleLion and founded its branch office here. Eagle-Lion has helped fill the product needs of Dutch theatres in a period when film stock was very limited. American pictures will reappear on the Dutch market in January of 1947, but no real competition is expected for Eagle-Lion, as this company will release the type of British product that found its own kind of public. Lambert Filmack Ad Head The appointment of Stanley Lambert as advertising director of the Filmack Corporation has been announced by Irving Mack sales manager, in Chicago. Mr. Lambert who will assume his new duties immediately, will be in complete charge of the company's advertising department, which is to be enlarged to handle both special trailers and the forthcoming prevue trailer service. Court Rules Lea Anti-Petrillo Act Unconstitutional Judge Walter J. La Buy in the United States District Court in Chicago Monday ordered dismissal of the Government's criminal suit against James Caesar Petrillo, president of the American Federation of Musicians, ruling that the Lea Act, more commonly known as the anti-Petrillo bill, was unconstitutional. The suit was filed June 13 in a criminal information after Petrillo called a strike against Station WAAF, Chicago, after it had refused to hire additional turn-table operators. The act makes the attempt to force a radio station to hire more employees than necessary a crime. Judge La Buy in his ruling said that the law violates the first amendment of the constitution by its restriction upon freedom of speech by peaceful picketing, also the fifth and 13th amendments by its restriction upon the employment of labor, as well as the fifth by arbitrary classification between employees and employers, and between broadcasting and other communication industries. The judge said it was within the province of Congress to enact legislation which might overcome any alleged evils sought to be corrected by the Lea Act but indicated that he considered the present bill indefinite and uncertain "in the definition of a criminal offense." United States Attorney J. Albert Woll said the Government would appeal. The appeal, it is expected, would go directly to the United States Supreme Court. After the verdict Mr. Petrillo said, "Thank God for the Federal Courts where they preach and practice democracy, where they say that the constitution applies to musicians as well as to the National Association of Broadcasters and where they say that the Congress can't discriminate against 200,000 musicians." Disney Productions' Net Estimated at $196,000 The net income of Walt Disney Productions amounted to approximately $196,000 for the fiscal year ended September 28, 1946, according to a report based on preliminary unaudited figures from Roy O. Disney, president. The net income for the year was 26 cents per share on the 652,840 common shares outstanding after provision for preferred dividends accumulated during the year but not paid. During the 1945 fiscal year the net income amounted to $350,532. The lower earnings for 1946 were in line with forecasts made a year ago. As predicted at that time no income was received in the 1946 fiscal year from the new Walt Disney features, "Make Mine Music" and "Song of the South." However, there is every indication that these pictures will make a substantial contribution to earnings during the next year, Mr. Disney said. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 7, 1946