Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1947)

CEA Bitter in Attack on "Buy British On ly 9 ' A ds by PETER BURNUP . in Eastbourne The British Film Producers Association's newspaper-advertising campaign, designed to influence public opinion in favour of British pictures through inferential defamation of American product, came under sharp attack from British exhibitors this week. The surprisingly uniform and bitter charges were made by members of the legal parliamentary committee of the Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association at that organization's annual meeting at Eastbourne, Sussex. Criticize Producer Head The Association's campaign has been criticized previously, but never as violently as this. The vehemence of the attack was undoubtedly increased by the absence of the press. All of the committee-members spoke their individual pieces, bitterly protesting the campaign conducted by Sir -Henry' French, the BFPA's director general. Quotes ranged from something like "an unscrupulous, insidious comparison between British and American films to the latters' detriment" and "the BFPA is cynically endeavouring to influence editorial "opinion at a moment when Anglo-American relations must necessarily be retained at the highest mutually understanding level," to "This campaign is just an example of the unprecedented and unjustified selfishness of the producers at the exhibitors' expense, but is obviously doomed to disaster." Suggestions were made that J. Arthur Rank should remove Sir Henry from his job. Mr. Rank's mission to America, although governmentally blessed, was criticized as "personal nestfeathering without regard to Britain's interest." See Program Threat This is the first outspoken example of a sentiment undoubtedly felt by • independent exhibitors generally who feel their livelihoods are threatened by the alleged machinations of the Rank distributing organization. The committee's report pointed out that the BFPA's campaign was actually directed at 80 per cent of the independent exhibitors' programs and it emphasized that if American screenings here are to be cut substantially, the whole country — producers, distributors and exhibitors — would inevitably fold up. Also high on the discussion list prepared by W. R. Fuller, secretary, was the question of film mutilation ; rumoured governmental plans to permit municipalities to engage in motion picture trading under the Town and Country Planning Act ; entertainment taxes ; 16mm showings and other, less important items. BRITISH REVIEW Courtneys of Curzon Street Herbert Wilcox: British Lion — TearJerking Chronicle Cynics, quasi-intellectuals, all the tiresome tribe of the superior, may be relied upon lor sneers at this one. But — bearing as it does the hall-mark of that old trusty Herbert Wilcox; revealing once again the charm of Anna Neagle and Michael Wilding — it will inevitably cram the shekels into the showman's jackpot. Mr. Wilcox — having cashed in more than once on the grim, legendary, illustrious little body known to history as Queen Victoria — seems intent on a motion picture monopoly of that terrifying monarch. Her personality and rigid philosophy dominate the picture's whole course from AD 1899 to 'round about this present year of grace. But Wilcox — as all theatremen are aware — can walk with kings and still keep that dividend-making common touch. And this one's no exception. When the year's count comes to be made of magic grossers "Courtneys" should be well up with the leaders. It's a period piece in every sense of the word. Back in 1899, Mr. Wilding (dashing young ensign of Her Majesty's Life Guards) does a very pretty line of sentiment with his mother's parlour-maid (Miss Neagle) at the family servant's ball. The two extremely attractive sweethearts marry, to the dismay of all and sundry ; dismay which develops into consternation when the young wife actually drops her fan at one of the aged Queen's stuffier soirees. Covered with shame at that faux pas Miss Neagle runs away to her native Ireland to have her baby in peace and quietude; vowing the while that she'll never again see that dashing young ensign of hers. The couple come together in the midst of a battle in World War I and remain together for the rest of their comfortable lives; the film's action being so contrived that the innocent beholder might well be persuaded that the whole pattern of Britain's subsequent disasters and triumphs, her wars and depressions, even her current dollar shortage, was evolved so that point might be lent to the career and loves of this Sir Edward and Lady Courtney. Of course, it's sentimental, novelettish, now and again mawkish to a degree. But it's splendidly mounted and a warranted tear-jerker. Wilcox never misses a trick in the game. It's a j ewelled-in-every-movement piece. Seen at London's largest theatre, Metro's Empire, where a crowded audience gave it noisy approval. Reviewer' s Rating : Very good. — Peter Burnup. British release date, September 9, 1947. Running time, 120 min. British Universal audience classification. Catherine O'Halloran .Anna Neagle Sir Edward Courtney Michael Wilding Gladys Young, Coral Browne, Michael Medwin, Daphne Slater, Ethel O'Shea. Percy Walsh, James Kavanagh Siritzky To Import 15 Annually from France A deal providing for the annual import by Siritzky International of the 15 "best" films produced in France by Pathe Cinema, Gaumont and the French Governmentowned Union Generale du Cinema, has been signed in Paris, Joseph Siritzky, vicepresident of the Siritzky organization, announced in New York this week. The agreement gives them exclusive American distribution right to all films of the three French companies. To insure playing time, Siritzky will acquire or build "art theatres" in addition to those already operated. Eventually the organization will have a house in Washington, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Hollywood, Boston, New York. Foresee British Import Cuts to Protect Loan London Bureau American motion picture men here — disturbed at the Washington disclosure that Britain has withdrawn a further $200,000,000 from the American loan; meaning that this country has thereby used up more than half of the immense credit in 11 months — are once again canvassing with concern the possibility of a Government reduction in imports from the "hard currency" areas, namely the U. S. They see immediate justification for concern in Chancellor of the Exchequer Hugh Dalton's pronouncement at the recent Labor Party conference that Britain should not count on raising further oversea credits, that she must stand on her own feet. Also in the Chancellor's budget speech there was a hint of a possible cut in other imports besides American tobacco. Apprehension is heightened because of the view, widely and publicly expressed by economists of all schools of thought, that the current disequilibrium between exports and imports is leading inevitably and quickly to a prolonged and worldwide catastrophic depression. The question was posed to Herbert Morrison, M. P., Lord President of the Council and one of Prime Minister Attlee's closest aides, at his latest press conference. Mr. Morrison admitted that the suggestion is under the closest review by the Cabinet. He added, however, that the Government had not yet come to a conclusion and he dropped a broad hint that it might be some time before they did so. In other words, the door is left conveniently open for last minute Anglo-American reciprocity suggestions in the Quota Act pattern. The London membership of the Motion Picture Association is well informed of the situation's implications. Warners Sets Eight For British Release Pictures to be released by Warners in Great Britain have been set through December 1, Max Milder, the company's managing director, announced in London this week. Eight productions are on the schedule for the five-month period starting in July, with release dates as follows: "Humoresque," July 7; "Stallion Road," July 28; "Royal Flush," "Two Guys From Milwaukee," August 18; "Nora Prentiss," September 1 ; "The Two Mrs. Carrolls," September 29; "Pursued," October 20; "Deception," November 10. and "Love and Learn," December 1. All pictures will play a pre-release British premiere engagement at the Warner theatre, London, before going into general distribution. 22 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JUNE 14, 1947