Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1956)

Board of Trade Gets NFFC Film Report . . . Long-awaited document is said to incorporate views of 16 trade groups and "advice" of many companies by PETER BURNUP LONDON: The report and recommendations of the National Film Finance Corporation on future film industry policy has now been lodged with the president of the Board of Trade. As long ago as February last the Board’s president, Peter Thorneycroft, announced in the House of Commons that he had asked the corporation to prepare a report on the three major matters which now confront the industry: the Quota Act, the Eady production levy and the future of NFFC itself. The intention then was that the report would be presented by the end of May; but that plan had perforce to be abandoned, due probably to the volume of suggestions which descended on the corporation from all sections of the industry. In August, Mr. Thorneycroft anticipated the report by telling the Commons of his intention to introduce a statutory levy, to continue the powers of NFFC and to extend the Quota Act beyond its current statutory terms which expires in 1958. Report Called “ Critical ” The report is understood to be comprehensive and to incorporate the views of no fewer than 16 trade organisations, in addition to the “advice” tendered by a number of companies and individuals. The trade looks upon the report as a critical, and likely to be regarded as an historic document. In view of its importance, responsible industry leaders have continually pressed Mr. Thorneycroft to have it published. Efforts will be made to change Mr. Thorneycroft’s mind in the House of Commons. But more eagerly awaited will be the Queen’s speech, when Her Majesty opens a new Parliamentary session on November 6 and which will outline the Government’s immediate legislative programme. "CONVENTIONAL" RELEASE FOR "GUYS" IN LONDON Following what is understood to have been some tough trade talking it is announced that “Guys and Dolls” will start its general release through ABC on December 24 and follow the conventional pattern. In other words, the picture will RANK DEMONSTRATES NEW WHITE SCREEN LONDON: Last week at the Marble Arch Odeon here Rank Precision Industries demonstrated a new Harkness white screen which, it is claimed, solves the problem of light falloff toward the sides of abnormally wide screens. Trade viewers reported that they were impressed with the screen, made of vinyl plastic, over which a coating of vinyl resin has been applied—in effect a return to the traditional white screen but with the brightness of aluminum and the advantages of a mat surface. It is claimed that the falloff approximates 1 1 per cent only, compared with 75 per cent in other types of screens. The screen is said to be immediately available, with the price the same as for the company's silver aluminized screen. play in northwest London in its opening week; northeast and south London, respectively, in the immediately following two weeks. There will be no increase in admission prices during the London presentation and no extended playing time; although, as in the case of other big pictures, extended playing time may be accorded the picture in certain provincial theatres where it is found to be practicable and potentially profitable. It had been regarded as likely that MGM’s London managing director, Charles Goldsmith, would insist on a release pattern akin to that adopted by 20th-Fox in the case of “The King and I”; namely, that the picture would be prereleased in London on a zonal basis and shown for as long as it might stand up in a select few theatres in advance of its general release. But two factors militated against such a plan. Firstly, since its break with the Rank Organisation, 20th-Fox has no major circuit outlet for its product; secondly, MGM retains its traditional outlet through the highly lucrative ABC circuit and the latter’s managing director, D. J. Goodlatte, was adamant in his insistence that the conventional release pattern should not be disturbed even for a picture of the profitmaking potential of “Guys and Dolls.” Mr. Goodlatte’s determination will be applauded widely in independent exhibitor circles, resentful of the 20th-Fox “King and I” plan. In CEA’s General Council debates, the plan was attacked on the ground, primarily, that 20th-Fox had introduced a revolutionary release practice without prior consultations with the trade associations. The company, on the other hand, had long claimed — perforce, it may be, in view of the Rank release being cut off from under its feet — that the present release pattern was antiquated and demanded unsnarling. Bitter indignation was registered among exhibitors who customarily deal in 20thFox offerings but who were not included in the select few who were vouchsafed the opportunity of joining in the plan. They claimed that the cream for them would be taken off the picture’s profit-making possibilities before their turn came on the orthodox release and CEA’s London and Home Counties’ branch became immediately involved in the debate. The branch has long been concerned with the incidence of current trade practices and a special meeting was convened of its executive committee together with major and minor circuit representatives to consider “the present pattern of film exhibition.” Although no overt mention was made of the 20th-Fox plan it was notorious that the branch activity had been sparked off thereby. Following the meeting, the branch’s secretary issued a statement in the following diplomatic terms: “We had a full discussion of all the items on the agenda, including presentation times, release patterns and seat bookings. We decided to give ourselves a couple of weeks to think things over. "OKLAHOMA!" GROSSES BEST IN RKO'S 25-YEAR HISTORY News is to hand of the first of the trio of the so-called mammoth musicals, “Oklahoma!” The picture moves over to the Marble Arch Odeon Tuesday, October 30, the day following the termination of its run at the Leicester Square Odeon. In its stay at the latter house, the picture — it is claimed — has set up figures which outgrow any production in RKO’s 25-year history. It would be “sacrilegious” to end the run of such a success, say the company’s nearhysterical officials. “War and Peace” is scheduled to open at Paramount’s Plaza in early November. Associated British-Pathe, which distributes the picture here, plans to hold it in the Plaza until Easter of next yaar. Company officials concede that a six-months’ run in London’s West End is a powerful long run nowadays; but they take a line through the picture’s New York screening. Present plans are that the film should not go on general release through the ABC circuit until Autumn 1957. But the intention is that it should be pre-released in key situations in the Spring of next year. The picture will play as long as it stands up. Meanwhile, J. Arthur Rank’s “Reach for the Sky” continues on its merry-go-round. In the first nine weeks of general release it has been seen by more than 9 million paying customers; over a million a week. 22 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, OCTOBER 27, 1956