The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

42 THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. GRANGER’S NEW RECIPROCAL POLICY. French Pictures for England—British Pictures for Prance. _R. JACQUES FEYDER, M the brilliant French producer, whose productions have beaten in Paris all records for lasting power and succces, has written us to let us know the great joy he experienced on hearing the news that Granger’s Company have secured for England his last film, ‘‘ Crainquebille,’” from the novel of Anatole France. Mr. Jacques Feyder looks with confidence upon the career of ‘* Grainguebille ’’ in England, as he remembers with pride the unanimously sympathetic and eulogistic appreciation with which all the London trade papers welcomed hig former production, ‘ Atlantide,’’ when it was screened at Covent Garden Opera House. That is why Mr. Jacques Feyder hopes that the English public will give ‘‘ Crainquebille ’’ as hearty a welcome as it gave to ‘* Atlantide.”’ The picture will be shown in England as the result of an arrangement which Granger’s have made with the well-known French producers and renters, Leg Films Le Grand of Paris, whereby certain of the best British productions will be shown in France, and certain of the best French productions in this country. This reciprocal policy is already in operation, and the first three Granger films that will be shown in France are ‘' The Call of the Road,’’ starring Victor McLaglen and Phyllis Shannaw; ‘‘ Unmarried,’’ starring Gerald du Maurier and Malvina Longfellow; and ‘‘ Weavere of Fortune,’’ starring Henry Vibart, Myrtle Vibart, Derek Glynne, and Daca. The two first mentioned were big popular successes in the United Kingdom, whilst the third has not yet been shown in this country. ‘* The Call of the Road ’’ will be showing throughout France in the course of the next few weeks... The first three French productions to be issued by Granger’s, under this agreement, are an interesting trio, the first, which is to be trade shown shortly, is entitled ‘* Within the Maze,’’ and is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Mrs. Henry Wood. Both British and French stars appear in this film, Jean Angelo, the hero of ** Atlantide,’’ Gerald Ames, and: Constance Worth are the featured players. The second, provisionally, is titled ‘‘ The Truth,’ and is a strong story of modern life, starring the well-known French artiste, Emmy Lynn. The third, and perhaps the most interesting of all, is the adaptation of Anatole France’s delightful work, ‘‘ Crainquebille.’’ Jacques Feyder, the famous producer of ‘' Atlantide,’ was responsible for the direction, and Maurice de Feraudy, of the Comedie Francais, is the star. ‘‘ Crainquebille ’’ has been a great success in France, and is shortly to be presented at the Capitol, New York. Having in view this reciprocal policy, (Continued at foot of next column.) JACQUES FEYDER. Granger’s have March 24, 1923. STATE REGULATIONS FOR RUSSIAN FILM TRADE. LTHOUGH the Russian film industry has been growing A with extreme rapidity lately, nevertheless it proved unable even tc create a somewhat suitable organisation or to keep out undesirable elements. Thus it was possible for 500 firms who hire out films te establish ‘themselves in Moscow, where, in consequence of its traffic -onditions, there are scarcely 1,500 picture theatres. But henceforth a decree, issued by the Council of Peoples’ Commissary, places the Russian film industry on a new legal basis. One of the reasons for this order was the frequent infringement of the licence Jaw, suclr as smuggling and other offences. This decree aims at the consdlitlstion and sane development of the Russian film trade by a new arrangement that will enable also the foreign industry to co-operate. ‘The new law and the order for putting it inte effect, which will be published im the near future, decree: The ‘film should be considered as means of instruction and as a work of art. Hence the All-Russian Photo Cinema Co. will be placed under the Commissary for Art and Education as a central organisation for film renting and for adjusting all the matters of the picture theatre. It acquires (under the name of Goskino) the right of a legal body, and will pursue its work by attracting the local and district educational organs. A central office will be established at the Commissary for Art and Education, with the principal object to investigate the origin of the films. For showing uncensored films the renter, as well as the owner, will bear responsibility, according provisions in the penal code. Uncensored films, if shown, are, as it is the case with smuggled ones, confiscated, and become State property without compensation (also the copies and _ the licence, if such ones are in possession of the smuggler or lender). Henceforth a permit from the Goskino is nevessary for private enterprises, and must be renewed monthly. The permit, however, if granted, can only be revoked if the private enterpri® has repeatedly violated the laws applymg to kinemasograph theatres, and if it was lawfully sentenved. Private enterprises that are producing in Russia, or perform suitable work for the production process, have forthwith the right to hire foreign films and those belonging to others to an extemt many times exceoding ‘the value of their own production. As far as the theatres ‘ar net leased by private enterprises they are run by ‘the Geskimo, or by local educational] institutions. Import and export is directed coujointly hy the Gonmmissary for Foreign Trade and by ‘the Comumusseary for Art and Education. Negotiations for concessions with foreign firms must be appronad by these commigsaries. The film administration for Soviet Russia appointed the ‘‘ Industry and Handels-A.G.,’’ the International Workers’ Relief Committee for Soviet Busan, through its general agency, the Deutsch Amerikanische FihnUnion A.G. (Dafu, 5-6, Friedrichstr., Berlin, S.W. Cable, ‘‘ Dafufilm ’’) to enter into negotiations with American and West European firms, and the negotiations are progressing favourably. Prominent representatives of the Russian film trade—representatives of private undertakings, as well as those of State organisations—have already arrived, and others are on the way here. According to the apirit of these negotiations, the Defu will endeavour to set right, as far as the law permits, the difficulties which might have arisen to foreign firms owing to their former ignorance of the conditions of the Russian film. ee a (Continued from previous column.) urranged for the famous French operatic star, Vanne Mercouz, to play a leading part in the new Granger-Davidson film, ‘‘ The Scandal,’’ on which Arthur Rooke is at present at work in Nice. France has had few opportunities in the past of seeing English life on the screen. What she has seen has been mostly through American eyes. The new arrangement will remedy this.