Motion Picture Herald (Aug-Oct 1947)

CZECH-RED FILMS WIN VENICE SHOW by ARGEO SANTUCCI in Rome Czechoslovakian films were awarded the highest prizes at the recently concluded Eighth International Film Exhibit in Venice. Only independent American product was shown at the exhibit. The Czech feature, "The Strike," was judged best of the features. It is a story about the fight of workmen against the capitalists. The prize for the best musical score was given to the same film. The Czech cartoon, "The Atom at the Crossroad," was judged the best in its class. Of Russian inspiration, it demonstrates that atomic power would be used for the best by progressive democracies (i.e. communism), while it is used for war by capitalistic governments. Other awards : For the best direction, Henri George Cluzot, for the French "Quai des Orfevres"; the best photography, to Gabriel Figueroa for the Mexican "La Perla" ; for the best screenplay, the Russian "Springtime" ; the best actress, Anna Magnani in the Italian "Hon. Angelina"; the best actor, Pierre Fresnay, for the French "Monsieur Vincent" ; for the most original contribution to cinema art, Mexico's "La Perla," and the U. S. "Dreams That Money Can Buy." V The general trade agreement between France and Italy, signed last December, has recently been perfected, to include the interchange of projectors, cameras, and studio lighting equipment as well as of pictures. It has been previously reported that the agreement calls for the exchange of 200 films. BELGIUM by AN TYS in Brussels The Association de la Presse Filmee Beige, the Belgian newsreel association, has elected Andre Cauvin as its president. M. Cauvin is considered Belgium's leading producer of newsreels. During the war, among other things, he made a short on the Belgian Congo which was released in the U. S. by Warner Brothers. PUERTO RICO by E. SANCHEZ ORTIZ in San Juan Rafael Ramos Cobian, president of Cobian's circuit in San Juan, has leased eight theatres in the city of Ponce. The Cobian circuit now has 36 houses. These theatres have joined the Motion Picture Exhibitors Association, which now has more than half the theatres in Puerto Rico in its membership. Thus the association is stronger than By the Herald RENATO SECCIA, representing Vuicania Film of Italy, returned last week to New York from Rome after forming the company in partnership with industrialist Ferrucio Caramelli and singer Nino Martini. They will produce operatic pictures at Mr. Caramelli's Turin and Rome studios. Vuicania will also distribute American pictures, and Mr. Caramelli intends to build 50 theatres, Mr. Seccio said. Mr. Seccia, opening New York offices, will endeavor to hire English-speaking talent tor Vuicania pictures, which will be made in English and dubbed in Italian. ever. This is significant in that all members of the Association have pledged themselves not to pay more than 50 per cent of grosses in any contract signed with distributors. The Association has named a committee to deal directly with the film exchanges. GERMANY by HUBERTUS ZU LOEWENSTEIN in Berlin Eight American features are currently being dubbed for the German screen at studios at Munich-Geiselgasteig. Twelve American shorts also are being dubbed. V The German industry considers it a hopeful sign that foreign producers are for the first time since the war going on location in Germany. A contract has jusr been signed between the Swiss company, PraesensFilm, and the German company, Bavaria, which will supply the Swiss company with men and materials for a feature to be made partly in Germany. Also, RKO and Paramount are shooting location scenes here. V Production notes: Real-Film, Hamburg, has announced the near completion of its full length picture, "Nora's Arch," pro duced by Julius Trebitsch. . . . CameraFilm is nearing completion of its "Antiques." . . . The recently licensed Junge Film Union in Hamburg is preparing its first picture, "Men in God's Hands," dealing with the problem of the returning soldier. MEXICO by LUIS BECERRA CELIS in Mexico City Production is so dull here that the Picture Production Workers Union has placed four of its sections on the inactive list. Manual workers and skilled and unskilled studio help are in those unions. Little work is now being done in the six. studios here, the largest in Mexico. ^ Republic Pictures has granted its employees, members of the National Cinematographic Industry Workers Union, a 20 per cent wage increase, as did the eight majors recently. y Emilio Azcarraga, exhibitor and radio station owner, and Gen. Abelardo L. Rodriguez, ex-President of Mexico, will build four or five de luxe theatres in Mexico, one here and others in leading provincial cities. Private Distribution Returns to Germany London Bureau Army controls were removed October 3 from the distribution of pictures in the British and American zones of Germany. With distribution removed from the jurisdiction of the Control Commission, there is now free competition among American, British and approved German films in both zones. J. Arthur Rank's Eagle Lion Distributors, Ltd., have been licensed to distribute British films in the British zone and in the British Berlin sector and they will soon be able to distribute in the American zone. The Motion Picture Export Association will be able to distribute in the British zone, in addition to the American zone. Also, 20 German distributors have been licensed. Former Control Commission officers will be given executive positions with the distributors under the new setup. No Dubbing for Chevalier The Rene Clair film "Man About Town" ("Silence est d'Or"), produced by RKO Radio and RKO Pathe in Paris and starring Maurice Chevalier, will not be dubbed but will have Mr. Chevalier as the English narrator and commentator, it was announced this week. The rest of the allFrench cast will speak its own language. The narration method will be applied to make the film acceptable to the largest possible American audience. Amory Joins Greenthal Charles M. Amory has joined the advertising firm of Monroe Greenthal Co., Inc., as account executive on Eagle Lion Films, Pathe Industries and subsidiaries. 46 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, OCTOBER II, 1947