Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1947)

INDUSTRY DEEP INTO 16mm DISTRIBUTION WORLDWIDE Six of Eight Majors and Others Set; Paramount and 20th-Fox Plan Off The foreign exhibition of 16mm has passed the experimental stage and in the next two years should increase 100 per cent. This is the view expressed by Orton H. Hicks, chief of Loew's International 16mm division, and substantiated by other 16mm executives in the home offices in New York. Mr. Hicks, who returned last weekend from a five-week survey of the narrowgauge markets in Great Britain and Continental Europe, qualified his prediction by excepting France which, he said, is now a full scale operation. "However," the Loew executive pointed out, "even in France 16mm exhibition can be increased 50 per cent before reaching the saturation point." Executives Are Optimistic . On Future of 16mm Films Other executives hold similarly optimistic views. With six of the eight major companies already operating; PRC and Eagle-Lion product distributed nationally and internationally through Pictorial Films ; Republic releasing through Loew's International and Monogram distributing its product through regular channels in those countries where the 16mm field is sufficiently developed, there is every indication that by the end of the summer all the producer-distributors will be sending their narrow-gauge films throughout the world. The exceptions are Paramount and Twentieth Century-Fox, who last week discontinued plans for their joint operations overseas. Twentieth Century-Fox will undertake the operation alone. But despite the progress made there are still many problems to overcome before the programs begin to operate smoothly. Such obstacles as blocked funds, lack of sufficient film processing equipment in foreign countries, trade barriers and the general chaotic conditions throughout the world are subjects of deep concern with 16mm managers. France Most Advanced Of European Nations Loew's International, RKO, Universal and Warner Brothers are the most advanced in the 16mm foreign field. Loew's, who pioneered the field and began operating almost as soon as the war ended, is now operating in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Venzuela, Astralia, the Philippines, Belgium, Palestine, France, Great Britain, India, Mexico, Siam and South Africa. France, where 16mm operations first started, is by far the most advanced according to Mr. Hicks. In this country the mar "BEN HUR" RIDES AGAIN THIS TIME ON 16mm Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "Ben Hur," starring Ramon Navarro, Francis X. Bushman and May McAvoy, is again doing a land-office business — this time as a 16mm subject in the Philippines. Taken from its storage vault where it has rested for more than 15 years, Loew's International representatives report that its success is great. The picture was first released in October, 1927, then reissued with an added sound track in December, 1931. ket is operating on an equal basis with the 35mm field. Both markets are subject to identical license and safety restrictions, and both are required to charge the same admission prices. There are more than 3,000 "active" 16mm mobile and permanent licensees in France reaching some 12,000 situations, Mr. Hicks said. Two weeks ago the company started operating in Italy and chose the war-ravaged town of Cassino as its first 16mm showcase. This was done, Mr. Hicks explained, because the rebuilding of Cassino is symbolic of the advances that are being made in the new Italy. Profits Decreased by Poor Equipment and Raw Stock Loew's 16mm operation are operating in the black, Mr. Hicks explained. However, a large portion of the profits are being jeopardized because of inferior equipment and film stock which only permit a print to play about 25 situations where the ordinary print-life is approximately 75 engagements. Shortly this situation will correct itself when new projectors and better film stock becomes available. RKO is also operating on a worldwide basis but further expansion is still being curtailed by the lack of available equipment. According to Robert Maroney, head of the 16mm foreign department, the equipment situation is beginning to ease, however, and the company is now getting projector deliveries in 30 days while last year it took three months or more. Shortly RKO will start shipping Walt Disney cartoons abroad to all branches. Orders for prints on 20 Disney short subjects have gone out to the Technicolor laboratory and they will be dubbed. No Disney features are planned for at least six months under the program. Although 16mm activities are progressing in the Far East, Leon Britton, RKO Radio's Far East supervisor, sees an even greater potentail market there, he said when he arrived in New York last week. All theatre business in India, he explained, has been greatly curtailed due to the exodus of the military and high entertainment taxes and the prevalence of curfew laws is also a negative factor. Films with an abundance of dialogue are unpopular in the Far East, he continued, the natives preferring action pictures and musicals, preferably in Technicolor. He named Ingrid Bergman, Bing Crosby, Maureen O'Hara and Cary Grant as the most popular American stars. Sees Mobile Units of Great Value in the Far East Despite these various adverse conditions, Mr. Britton feels that the great potential market for 16mm films through the use of mobile units will do much to offset the present situation. France and the Philippines are the two biggest markets for Universal's 16mm program, which is under the direction of Harold Sugarman. To the Philippines alone the company shipped more than 30 features with accompanying short subjects. Warner Brothers' 16mm foreign program is expanding satisfactorily despite the generally chaotic and financially unstable conditions throughout the world, A. C. Brauninger, manager of the company's operation, said. For its program Warners also has three geographical divisions which are under the direct supervision of Wolfe Cohen, home office sales executive, who oversees the program in Central and South America, India, New Zealand, the Philipipnes, Siam and Singapore; Max Milder, managing director in Great Britain, supervising the program in the British Isles ; and Joseph S. Hummel, vice-president of Warner International, in charge of the operations in Continental Europe and North Africa. Announce Abandonment of Paramount 20th-Fox Plan Last week Barney Balaban, president of Paramount, announced in New York that the partnership corporation which was to have been formed by Paramount International and Twentieth Century-Fox International for the distribution of 16mm product abroad has been abandoned. Prior to Mr. Baiaban's statement it was indicated that the joint program would not become operative because of the legal complications involved. Once such a combined venture came into being, it was pointed out, the combine would have had to permit the entry of any other company so desiring. It was also felt that such an operation would support the Government's anti-trust suit claims that the major distributors have entered into certain trade practices to control the distribution field. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, JUNE 21, 1947 23