Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1947)

BRITISH EXHIBITORS FIGHT QUOTA PLAN Protest Producer Plea to End Distributor Quota; Joined by Labor Unit by PETER BURNUP in London The suggestion here that the Board of Trade favors the producers' proposal that Renters' Quota should be abolished when new quota legislation is drawn up has greatly concerned exhibitors. Unexpectedly, also, the National Association of Theatrical and Kine Employees has allied itself with the exhibitors and gone on record with the suggestion that a joint meeting of British and American film interests be held to examine the practicability of a trade agreement. The suggestion came at an interview between the Cinematograph Exhibitors Association and officials of the Board who, it is understood, put forward the idea in view of the pronounced shortage of studio space; they, apparently, taking the view that if Americans are compelled to make pictures here there will not be enough studio room for British producers. To Fight Suggestion It is a notice which will be combatted with all possible force by the exhibitors, who take the view that the abolition of Renters' Quota should place the independent exhibitor entirely at the mercy of "integrated" combines like the Rank Group. The NATKE has addressed a forthright letter to Sir Stafford Cripps, president of the Board of Trade, on the subject. "We are apprehensive that a total abolition of Renters' Quota would be a false step. ... A principal problem facing this country is the saving of dollar remittances. We recollect Mr. Jack Warner's promise to make six pictures in this country, each of which shall not cost less than £300,000. That means that at least £1,800,000 will remain in this country which would otherwise be remitted to America. In addition the films, when made, will be exhibited in this country thereby displacing American films and still further saving dollars. Finally, these films will receive a worldwide distribution. Cite Willingness of Others "At least two other major American companies have expressed their willingness to produce on a similar scale in this country. Why stop them when they are willing to accept reels of celluloid in America, instead of our very much needed dollars?" The letter to the Board of Trade reminds Sir Stafford of the increasing inter-relationship between the leaders of the industry on both sides of the Atlantic and that the potentialities of the new legislation go far be yond the confines of the motion picture industry. It goes on : "We propose that you consider, in consultation with the American Government, calling a conference of representatives of the motion picture industry of America and of the British film industry at a reasonably early date to examine the practicability of a trade or commercial agreement being entered into between the film industries of the two countries. "A commercial agreement of the character suggested could supplement rather than replace legislation. Such an agreement, however, would diminish the need for the introduction of provocative or retaliatory legislation by one or both countries, and would render to the governments and people of the two countries a service far wider than the immediate issues." Rank To Visit Toronto On Contract Suit Toronto Bureau J. Arthur Rank, British film leader, will visit Toronto the middle of May to discuss the breach of contract charges filed against him and his interests by Empire-Universal Films, Ltd., and United World Pictures of Canada. Both companies are protesting Mr. Rank's transfer of distribution rights to Eagle-Lion Films of Canada, Ltd. Monogram Donates Stock To Philippine College Monogram International Corporation has contributed 30,000 feet of Eastman 35mm sound negative film to Ateneo College in the Philippine Islands, it was announced Tuesday by Norton V. Ritchey, president. The film was transported without charge to Manila last week by Pan American Airways and will be used in the making of a benefit picture, "The End of the Road," proceeds of which will go to rebuilding the school, which was destroyed during the war. Lopert Gets "Shoe Shine" Lopert Films has acquired the Italian picture, "Shoe Shine," for distribution in the Western Hemisphere, the British Empire, France, Belgium, Holland and Scandinavia. The picture, which deals with the displaced children of Rome, will be released in the U. S. in the autumn. Rosener Acquires Two Herbert Rosener Company, west coast foreign film circuit, has acquired two San Francisco theatres, Stage Door and Nob Hill. This brings the circuit's total to eight, four in San Francisco and four in Los Angeles. British Theatres Attack Newsreel London Bureau Exhibitor criticism of the "canned antiquity" of newsreels mounts daily. Latest exhibitor grumble at the reels comes from Leslie Hill, chairman of the Devon and Cornwall branch of the Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association, and widely tipped as next year's vice-president of the Association. Said Exhibitor Hill at the monthly meeting of his branch : "We are paying more for our newsreel in running time than any film we put on the screen.'' "Someone," he added darkly, "is vitally concerned in seeing that the newsreels are maintained where they are today. All through the war the newsreels have been subsidized by us. The whole thing is a racket and somebody is working it for their own ends." Whoever that somebody might be, Mr. Hill did not explain. It is likely that a strongly-worded resolution expressing the widespread feeling of the ineffectiveness of the reels will be adopted at the next meeting of the CEA's general council. It is significant that no effort has been made by MGM so far to launch their own reel in this country, although it is common knowledge that the company has a considerable news organization in being on this side. British Producers Offer 44-Hour Week Formula London Bureau Following prolonged negotiations, the British Film Producers' Association has put to the three trades unions concerned — the National Association of Theatrical and Kine Employees, the Association of Cine Technicians and the Electrical Trades Union — a formula for the adoption of a 44-hour working week in the studios. The unions have accepted the notion in principle, but want to have a formula devised which will cover their members' highly lucrative overtime payments. RKO Radio Promotes Four In Latin-America Four of RKO's managers in the Latin American division have been promoted, it was announced this week by Phil Reisman, vice-president in charge of foreign distribution. Max Gomez, general manager in Mexico, has been assigned to a special sales position in Latin America under Jack Osserman, Latin American supervisor. Harry Davis, formerly manager of the Colombia office, will manage the Mexico office. Ricardo Canals, manager for Peru, replaces Mr. Davis as Colombia manager. Ned Seckler, Panama manager, is being transferred to Brazil to manage company business there. 22 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, APRIL 12, 1947