Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1946)

Fritz Kahlenberg Reports Peace In Dutch Trade With MPEA Deal There is "complete peace" within Holland's industry now that the dispute between the Motion Picture Export Association and Holland's Bioscoop Bond has been set-tied. "There is now peace on both sides, without recrimination," according to Fritz D. Kahlenberg, recently arrived in New York from Amsterdam. There is not, however, complete satisfaction. In an int e r v i e w Monday, Mr. Kahlenberg declared the Dutch press was of the opinion that the Americans were holding back their best product, that the MPEA's announcement of new product and the trade screenings they have held, have been an "anticlimax" to the fight to get MPEA product released. He reported that the press felt that the MPEA member companies believed they would have their own individual distributing offices within a year's time and so did "not make a demonstration of their best product." Although MPEA product will not be on Holland's screens until January 1, the press has been invited to attend numerous trade showings, according to Mr. Kahlenberg. Independent American product has been distributed for some time. A free-lance consultant on production, Mr. Kahlenberg was active in Holland's underground movement, attached to Photo Intelligence. He has citations from General Eisenhower and other military figures praising him for his work in moving Allied soldiers out of the enemy zone. Holland's two studios were looted and one of them destroyed by the Germans and fullscale production at present is impossible. However, Mr. Kahlenberg reports, "we have some very capable people who have begun the production of short fact films." The Dutch Government may request the theatres to show these films in all of Holland's theatres, but the Government does not like to make a demand, Mr. Kahlenberg explained. Attendance "Fantastic" _ Attendance today in Holland is "fantastic," with audiences given a chance to see French, English, Scandinavian and Czech product in addition to American features. The biggest success of 1946, according to Mr. Kahlenberg, was a Danish picture. Holland has few theatres. There are only about six, for example, in Rotterdam, with a population of 500,000. Mr. Kahlenberg believes that there will be little or no theatre building for the next five years. AMPA International Lunch Honors Ernest Fredman Ernest W. Fredman, managing director of the Daily Film Renter, London, was guest of honor December 13 when the Associated Motion Picture Advertisers held a Christmas International luncheon at the Town Hall Club, New York City. Rutgers Neilson, AMPA president, presided. Mr. Fredman spoke on the importance of the international viewpoint in publicity and advertising, stressing the fact that unity had always existed between England and America and that exchange of motion picture product strengthened that unity. Swedes Mark Anniversary by GOSTA ERKELL in Stockholm The Sewdish film museum recently organized a "Film Week" in Stockholm. The first motion picture was shown in Sweden July 28, 1896, in the neighborhood of Malmo. The picture came from Lumiere in Paris. During this Week all kinds of pictures have been presented to the public. The films were loaned from La Cinemathique Franchise in Paris and from the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Several Swedish pictures also were shown, such as "The Treasure of Sir Arne," by Mauritz Stiller and Josef von Sternberg's German picture, "Blue Angel," with Emil Jannings and Marlene Dietrich. • V Mr. Adolphe Zukor and Mr. Ray Milland, accompanied by his wife, have visited Stockholm. Mr. Zukor was very active. He not only attended parties, but also studied the motion picture situation in Stockholm and Sweden. He visited both theatres and studios and obtained information from Swedish engineers and technicians. Mr. and Mrs. Milland's visit was of a more private nature. Mr. Zukor was guest of honor at a special performance at the "Roda Kvarin" theatre in Stockholm. The program included a Paramount cavalcade, "Adolf Zukor's Silver Jubilee" (1937). Mr. Zukor was honored for his long-time activity in the industry. All motion picture companies and associations combined their efforts to make the filmweek a success. Government Film Program To Get Newsreel Aid The five newsreel companies will cooperate on the government's film program now under discussion by the industry's "study" group formed in Washington November 19. The newsreels have named M. J. Clofine of News of the Day to represent them on the proposed industry coordinating committee. Just what form their participation will take has not yet been decided as the method of industry-government cooperation is still being studied. Italy Leases Big Studio in Return For Training by ARGEO SANTUCCI in Rome The Italian Government has leased the Cinematographic Experimental Center and its annexed studios to the Universalia Company on condition that the company devote part of its time to organizing and teaching courses in film making and that young Italian actors and technicians be given employment in the pictures which Universalia will produce abroad and in Italy. The company will set up competitions for the 45 positions in its school. V The Lux Film Company has increased its capital from 10,000,000 lire to 100,000,000 lire, about $444,444, and has estalished agencies in Paris, London, Madrid, Brussels, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Sofia, New York, Buenos Aires and Tangier. V Upon the complant of producers, exhibitors and the trades unions of the motion picture, the Government has withdrawn its bill which would have increased admission taxes. The press pointed out that the Government did not realize the uncertain situation of the exhibition and production industry. V An agreement between Poland and Italy includes provisions for export from Italy to Poland of about $267,000 worth of equipment and $53,300 of pictures. V Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has scheduled the release of 17 entertainment pictures in 16mm. Bulgaria to Return 25 Stolen Czech Pictures Prague Bureau The Bulgarian Minister of Information, Dimo Kazasoff, has notified the Czechoslovak Cultural Attache in Sofia of the Bulgarian Government's decision to return to Czechoslovakia 25 Czech features stolen by Germany during the occupation and sold to Bulgarian distributors. V A Bulgarian delegation is expected shortly in Prague to sign a Czech-Bulgarian film agreement. Bulgaria intends to import the whole Czechoslovak production of features and shorts in both 16mm and 35mm. MGM's Shorts Department Headed by Fred Quimby Fred Quimby, who established and has been supervising MGM's cartoon department, has been placed in charge of all MGM short subject production. In addition to 16 cartoons, the company's schedule includes 10 Pete Smiths, 12 FitzPatrick Travelogues, six Nesbitt Passing Parades and four "Crime Does Not Pay" two-reel subjects. 32 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 21. 1946