Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1952)

MOTION PICTURE HERALD MARTIN QUIGLEY, Ediior-in-Chief and Publisher Vol. 189, No. I MARTIN QUIGLEY, JR., Editor October 4, 1952 The World Market Every year since the end of World War II the Herald has dedicated one issue each year — the World Market number — to the personnel and companies of all lands engaged in the international film business. Some indication of the importance attached to the World Market is the fact that this is the only special annual number issued by the Herald. While every week the major news developments affecting motion pictures around the world are reported, international trade in films and equipment is so vital for every national film industry that it is appropriate to pause once during the year to reflect on what pictures v/ould be like if there were no international trade. Mr. Paul Raibourn, a vice-president of Paramount Pictures, recently pointed out in an address to the Communications Section of the Centennial of Engineering Symposium in Chicago the fact that not only are the dimensions of the film itself standardized but that from an artistic and entertainment standpoint most films are judged internationally by the same criteria. Both these factors increase the possibilities for international trade. Reports from Herald correspondents abroad in this seventh World Market number emphasize that economic considerations are the chief barriers to the development of greater trade among countries. Assuredly the financial problems of some nations are grave. Yet the contribution of films are so important that means must be found to keep theatres adequately supplied with product. Side by side with this goes the necessity of permitting financial transfers between countries so that each may bear an equitable proportion of production costs. Some may think of the international trade in films as being principally to the advantage of Hollywood. The facts, however, show every film producing country needs a large export market. The American industry frankly acknowledges that domestic film receipts are inadequate to finance production. To Hollywood studios the overseas market is a necessity. On the other hand the same is true everywhere with the exception of the countries behind the Iron Curtain where the wills of the people may not be freely expressed. Theatres can not live on local production alone nor can national producers, abroad any more than those in Hollywood, receive on the average, enough money from the home market to pay a picture’s way. The necessities of international motion picture trade have been recognized by the governments concerned. Problems have received and are now receiving attentive consideration, not only within the industry, but by Government officials. This concerns not only film agreements between two countries but agreements covering larger areas such as the projected European film alliance. To the extent that these agreements — between two or m,ore countries — tend to increase the quality of film production, they are healthy. Conversely no form of protectionism or special privilege can of itself make a sound industry. No good film was made on the fiat of a government official. Incorporated in this year’s World Market is a salute to Italian Films which next week are being featured in a Festival at the Little Carnegie Theatre, New York City under the sponsorship of Italian Films Export. ■ ■ ■ Stolkin & Co. The advent of Mr. Ralph E. Stolkin and his associates to managerial control and principal stock ownership of RKO Pictures is a welcome event, not only to the RKO staff throughout the world, but also to the entire industry. The RKO company has needed a kind of direction at the studio which would have insured a flow of quality product. The theatres have very much needed RKO as a source of such product. RKO in its half-century history has passed through a number of phases. None perhaps was more perplexing than the administration of Mr. Howard Hughes who purchased practical control of RKO from the Atlas Corporation in 1948. While Mr. Hughes has been interested in films for more than two decades and, from time to time, has made some notable attractions, his other current interests — principal of which are in the fields of aviation, air weapons and industrial manufacturing — prevented him from having sufficient time to carry out the functions of production head at the studio. He still retains his stock ownership in RKO Theatres. The new group headed by Mr. Stolkin has recognized that product is the archstone of RKO. He explained his interest in the company to Mr. Thomas M. Pryor, Flollywood film correspondent of the New York Times, in these words ; “I felt the time was ripe. The movie business has been in a lull. Our group believes that the business hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface of its future potential and that we can help it to prosper and devlop.” Further indication of the Stolkin group policy was in their announcement following the purchase of control from Mr. Hughes; “We expect to continue to produce motion pictures as a major studio operation . . . we want to make it clear that at this time we have no intention of releasing any of the studio’s stock of films for the use of television.” Despite his youthful 35 years, M^. Stolkin has already repeatedly demonstrated his talents in merchandising and finance. The new undertaking will be for Mr. Stolkin and his associates a challenge, rich in potential rewards and satisfactions.