Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1947)

MEXICO PRODUCER INTO EXHIBITION by LUIS BECERRA CELIS in Mexico City Mexican producers are becoming exhibitors as well. This policy, somewhat modeled after the policy of some U. S. companies, is said to have been prompted by too many theatres in too few hands, adding up to the producers and distributors being at a disadvantage in the way of playing time and percentages. Filmex, one of Mexico's four leading producers and distributors, has obtained Government approval of its plans to build and operate a circuit, primarily as an outlet for its own films. The Goverment has agreed to help finance the plans, which call for an investment of about $4,000,000 for about 10 theatres, three or four to be built here, and the others in the principal provincial theatres. The first Filmex theatre is expected to open in late summer. Filmex owns and operates the Aztec studios here, the second largest in Mexico. The company president is Gregorio Walerstein. Oscar J. Brooks, for some time Warners' manager here, is the distribution chief, and Manuel Suarez, a wealthy Spaniard with many industrial interests in Mexico, is a board member. Producciones Grovas, also one of the big four Mexican producers, is completing plans for a theatre circuit — about six houses at the outset. Jesus Grovas, formerly a Paramount assistant manager here, heads the company. V The controlling interest — 51 per cent — which Twentieth Century-Fox's National Theatres held in 38 theatres in the Coahuila, Tamauliqas and Nuevo Leon states (the Del Norte circuit) has been acquired by a syndicate, members of which include : Theodore Gildred, who, with his brother, Albert, owns and operates the studio at Tepeyac and several theatres here and in the provinces ; Jesus Grovas, president of Producciones Grovas, producer-distributors ; Luis Montes de Oca, president of the Banco Internacional ; Aaron Saenz, sugar magnate, and Francisco Javier Gaxiola, ex-Minister of National Economy. The syndicate was financed by the Credito Cinematografico Mexicano, an organization recently organized to finance the motion picture industry. SOUTH AFRICA by R. N. BARRETT in Johannesburg There is a growing interest in South Africa in the study of cinema as an art form. Four months ago, the Johannesburg Film Society was established. Similar societies have also been formed in Cape Town and Durban. Aid has been given these organizations by the British Film Institute and ne gotiations for further aid are in progress with Paris and New York. The societies screen such film classics as "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari," "Nanook of the North" and "The Italian Straw Hat." V J. G. Mackenzie, one of the best known personalities in film and theatre circles in South Africa, has left African Theatres to go into business on his own. Coming to South Africa in 1929 he eventually rose to publicity manager for African Consolidated Theatres for South Africa and Rhodesia. He is now a director of Peace Distributors, Ltd., wholesale photographic suppliers. ITALY by ARGEO SANTUCCI in Rome Monogram Pictures currently has 10 features in release here through G. D. B., a company which owns dubbing studios and which formerly distributed Russian pictures. The company also has five features for release here through another company and plans to release 15 to 20 additional features this year. Republic and PRC have not as yet any representatives in Italy. V Reports from Austria indicate that production has resumed at the Rosenhuge studios, reestablished by the Russians, and the Sievering studios, near Vienna, reestablished by the Americans. There are 649 theatres in Austria at present, of which 137 are in Vienna. Production notes : Lux Film will produce "Les Miserables" from the Victor Hugo novel. Universalia, now producing a docu mentary about Allied cemeteries in Italy, will produce documentaries on the lives of St. Paul and St. Francis. Two producers have announced their intention of producing "The Captain's Daughter" from the Pushkin novel. V It is reported that Antonio Mosco, a partner in the Minerva Film Company, has purchased the Barberini theatre here. Minerva is the Italian distributing company for Sir Alexander Korda's films. V "Three Ships a Day" is the documentary film of UNRRA activity in Italy, which is now in the cutting and editing stage. The picture, produced by the International Film Foundation of New York with the help of the Instituto Luce of Italy, will be released in Italy in April. V During a recent interview in Rome, Gabriel Pascal asserted that he intended to build up an Italo-British-American production which "will result in a completely new form of international entertainment." YUGOSLAVIA by J. B. KANTUREK in Prague Three producing and distributing companies have been formed and are now in operation in Yugoslavia: Triglav, in Lublana, for Slovenia ; Jadran, in Zagreb, for Croatia, and Zvezda, in Belgrade, for Serbia. The respective Ministries of Education are in charge of all motion picture affairs. V On April 1, Yugoslavia will open an academy for schooling actors and directors. Pupils, to be schooled for two years, have been selected from all Yugoslav republics. V The Yugoslav monopoly plans to produce six films during 1947, exclusive of shorts, documentaries and newsreels. Plans are in preparation to build studios near Belgrade during the country's five-year plan. PROBLEMS IN ITALY. They were discussed recently by American company representatives at a meeting in the Grand Hotel. Rome, during the visit of Vladimir Lissim, RKO European general manager, and Leo Samuels, Walt Disney Productions foreign general manager. Left to right above are Luigi Algrand, MGM; Bruno Fux, RKO; Emanuele lama. Universal; Mr. Lissim, and Mr. Samuels; Edward Toledano, RKO 76mm sales; Mario Luporini, Twentieth Century-fox; Miehe/e Lauria, Columbia; Pilade Levi, Paramount; Mario lama, Warners, and Ramon Fernandez, Paramount. 50 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MARCH 22, 1947