Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1947)

MPEA FILMS GET BIG HOLLAND PLAY by PHILIP DESCHAAP in Amsterdam The policy of the U. S. Motion Picture Export Association, as demonstrated since it first began to release here January 3 last, is to release as many pictures in as many theatres as possible, even in small houses. MPEA pictures are running now in every Dutch town of importance. Even second run theatres are playing MPEA product first run. The purchase of the important Asta theatre at The Hague by the MPEA was accomplished some time ago and the theatre was to be exploited under the MPEA banner this month. During the 52-week period from September 1, 1946, to September, 1947, exhibitors are allowed to release 28 American pictures and 24 from other countries. As there is no domestic production of any importance, independent distributors are buying from many markets: British, French, Swedish, Danish, Russian, Italian and Mexican. An important number of American pictures have been brought into Holland by independents who have purchased on the free American markets — from those companies not MPEA members. It should be emphasized the MPEA product is not only finding competition from European products — particularly English — but also from other American product. During 1946 Holland imported 497 features, divided this way : U. S., 197 ; England, 137; France, 95; Denmark, 17; Sweden, 17; Russia, 13; Switzerland, nine; Belgium, four ; Italy, three ; Czechoslovakia, two, and Norway, one. The number of American pictures to be imported during 1947 will be considerably larger. Although decreasing during 1947 and still showing a decline in 1947, theatre attendance shows an improvement in comparison with pre-war years. INDIA Bombay Correspondent An unprecedented subject matter is dealt with in two new Indian productions: politics. Previously it has been an impossibility for a producer even to show a picture of an Indian national leader hanging on the wall in a film setting. With this the case, one can imagine that nothing was allowed in film dialogue which would inspire the feelings of an Indian for the freedom of his country. Yet two new films indicate clearly the advent of a new era in the political setup of India since September, 1946. One of these features deals with the subject of the war of Indian Independence of 1857. The second deals with India's struggle for freedom during the last war. This second film was exhibited recently in Delhi to members of the Interim Government. V Although the industry has been hit hard by the political riots started in August, 1946, there is no decrease in production in the important centers of Bombay, Madras, Calcutta and Lahore. In Bombay there are 102 old production companies and 162 new ones registered. In Madras, 20; Calcutta, 28, and in Lahore, 42 producing concerns. ARGENTINA by NATALIO BRUSKI in Buenos Aires The Asociacion de Empresarios Cinematograficos has agreed to present their labor, government and tax trooubles to the President of the Republic for his consideration. The exhibitors here held two meetings recently to discuss the increase in their taxes, the closing of cinemas for non-compliance with the rules compelling exhibitors to show national films, the increases in rentals and percentages, and the wage increases sought by employees and workmen. During the first meeting it was almost decided to have a general closing down of the theatres. The discussions, however, were continued at a second session at which it was decided to present the problems to the President. Three theatres were closed recently for two days when they refused to show national product. It has now been agreed that before any such other closings are ordered the theatre's case will be reviewed by the Comite Arbitral Cinematografico. SOUTH AFRICA by R. N. BARRETT in Johannesburg London Film Productions will produce in South Africa at a cost of £250,000 a Technicolor feature dealing with South African history and with the great diamond and gold industries as a background to the story. Sir Alexander Korda will direct the film for which a script is being prepared by R. C. Sheriff, author of "Journey's End." Part of the feature will be filmed in Britain. MEXICO by LUIS BECERRA CELIS In Mexico City With the abnormal war time boom in theatre business apparently tapering off, leaders in theatre construction have assigned experts to study the situation to ascertain whether or not it would be wise to go ahead with the theatres they plan. The big pri vate banks, in addition to suspending credits to producers, have also suspended credit for theatre construction and the banks' future policy depends upon the survey now being conducted. V The cooperative film society which some players, directors and technicians formed here recently is on the verge of being abandoned because of difficulty in obtaining financial backing. V Mario Moreno, Mexico's popular "Cantinflas" of the films, has resigned as secretary general of the Picture Production Workers Union which he was instrumental in organizing. He sponsored Adolfo Fernandez Bustamente, the director, as the new union head, and Mr. Bustamente was unanimously elected. Mr. Moreno will confine his activities to acting. SPAIN by PEDRO GONZALEZ hi Madrid By official order of January 25, 1947, foreign films may be show in their original languages and need not be dubbed in Spanish. However, all foreign features must still be granted official authorizations for screenings. These permits of authorization are given by the General Direction of Cinematography and Theatre only to producers of Spanish films who, in turn, can give them to importers and distributors of foreign films. Three to four permits are given to producers of "Film of National Interest," chosen by the General Direction of Cinematography, two permits are given to second-place producers, and none at all to other producers. V A new color process, Cinefotocolor, has been invented by the Laboratios Cinefoto de Barcelona. The first Spanish film in color will be "Zaragoza," to be directed by Antonio Roman. V "Las Inquietudes de Shanti Andia" and "Reina Santa" have been chosen as "Films of National Interest." V During 1946, 23 Spanish films were exhibited in Madrid. "Cheyenne" Premiere Plans Completed by Warners Ray Davis, northern district manager of Fox Inter-Mountain Theatres, returned to Denver Tuesday after conducting a meeting in Cheyenne in connection with the world premiere and the Rocky Mountain Empire Preview of Warners Brothers' picture, "Cheyenne," late next month. The meeting was attended by Jack McGee, city manager ; Peter Faust, manager of the Lincoln theatre, where the world premiere will take place; Charles Wallace, manager of the Paramount theatre; Don Campbell, manager of the Princess theatre, and Abe Kronenberg and Richard Stephens of the Warner exploitation staff, who will work on the 100 or more previews to be held in that territory following the Cheyenne opening May 22. 42 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, APRIL 19, 1947