Variety (November 1961)

VARIOTY’S’ ‘LONDON. OFFICE” a“ st. damier’ ‘Streets Plecadilly ce W German Filmites Furiows About Wilder's Slap at Laggard Native Biz ‘Frankfurt; ‘Ost. 31, . West German film industryites. are .furious “about Billy ‘Wilder's | ¥¥. remarks that Germany is 16-years | ° behind the times. in developing technical equipment, and lacks]. decent. writers. ‘Wilder's. comments. that the German studios are oldfashioned, that only the Hollywood films. make money and that. 95% of the German films lose money pave been ‘widely | rebutted here. ‘which were made in Japan by for One of Germany’s mass cireula: | ary. eit | tion. newspaper has: just “printed ‘¢igners -seem to show only. ge “ jand Mt. Fuji,’ said.’ Deray. answer of te. A Wilder, titled” on would like to show realistic Japan which it quotesTheo Osterwind,. chief of UFA Film Hansa, .com-. menting, “The -German-speaking films that Mr: Wilder. claims are 59 bad accounted for 46% of the. ..total boxoffice receipts. in the West. German: tinemas. last year. .That is. nearly -double. the. business of the . American films, which ‘Bot 30%." Producer Walter Koppel, chief. of Real films and general manager “of Europa: Distributors, likewise. denied Wilder's statements, “As an | _ author, Billy Wilder has. ‘written 60 many. clever’ things in the -scripts which, he also. directed that I must to some extent agree. with. -him,"”. he.: said: “Tactfully,, I must | : agree that there just’ isn’t, enough talent among script. writers, just |. as. there is. a shortage . in: other { fields of the art. However, I do-|: find that right. at ‘this moment there is a whole list of good GerMan films. ” German... director Helmut: Kautner: disagreed heartily: with: Wild“er’s views. “I: don’t believe that one should take. too seriously’. an interview suchas the one which Wilder has: given to. that American newspaper,” he said. ‘It ‘sdunds like momentary chit-chat after. his’. return from’ Europe.” German star Ruth ‘Leuwerik -eountered: “First of all, | because -. of the language, America has. a: touch: larger. market for its prod~ uct, and second of course it, has. “more ‘money. We can’t compete with Billy. Wilder ‘and provide mil‘lions: for a. picture. Of © course, Hollywood, has ‘it better.” ” Films Council Will sk BOT to Slash Quota Exhib. Relief by 25%, -London, Oct..31. A new. principle of Quota’ ‘Relief is likely. to be: introduced by: the | Board of Trade on the recommendation of the Cinematograph. Films |: Council: This will be.a direct sequel to. representations made ‘to the Council by the’ British Film Producers Assn.. and. the Federation of British ‘Film Makers... It-is understood that the Films : Council’ is recommending that relief should be: slashed by 25° thus compelling exhibitors who have not had to fulfill the complete 30° quota to show more British, ix. Wants Realism For Metro Film; Rififi ri Tokyo, "Oct. 31, ises to show: realistic slices of Japan in the. Cipra_ Films production ‘of “Rifift in Tokyo,”. which rolls ‘here. for. Metro release late. this month. the exotic, but ‘the ‘contrasts, .the people. ” citement of Tokyo streets. He has difficulties of. getting. permission to stop traffic. Boehin,. Keiko Kishi, Charles Va nel, Michel ‘Vitold, Barbara ‘Lasse ‘and. Dante: Magelo, a Mex Xe Cinema : -Mexico City, Oct.. 31. _ The 10-y ear moratorium on a boxoffice hike for Mexico’s cinemas may be nearing an’ end. And the opening wedge to an upward firstruns freeze. -for exhibition... of -blockbusters long | National Theatre Operating . Co., tain ‘exhibition. of. “Ben-Hur” ‘the’ first of these. would: preem: in . SIX firstruns . here at: prices.””.. ° of pro and -con controversy, with | industry hailing the imminent ‘| cials ‘attacking’ it. Official attitude for long ‘years has been that films | should’ remain a popular-priced ; entertainment’ for the. public. Rocha. himself diplomatically sidestepped explaining just what “popular prices” nieant. Some read. into this remark a mere 8c. -boost over the current peak figure, But ether sourcesindicated. that ad relation to world .. boxoffice achieved. for.'these blockbusters. . However, no “official source. has made .a‘definite confirmation . of a conflicting reports with the Office of Public Entertainments denying it has authorized a hike, and a insisting © that. a -boost has been -approved as -“‘aspecial‘ case” for { bigger six put that the 32c. freeze would remain in force for ordinary film fare, p ‘The proposal does not: £0 all the way in meeting the representations ‘of the two producer associations, but .is. considered ta be a step in. the right direction. The. producers argued thatthe booking pattern’! had changed. substantially over the last few years in :view of. the many: long running attractions, ard there was no longer the same justification |: for substantial relief for exhibitors Barr ault Sees Need For in competitive situations: The producers had. suggested. that : -the relief system. should be: abol-{ished ertirely, and that the posi“dion of any theatre. which had: defaulted at the end of the Quota. year should be examined. by the -Films Council to determine. wheth“er or not relief would -haye been. justified. There. will probably. be some resistance . among exhibitors: tothe new. Films. Council. recommendation, but it is generally believed. that. the council will carry the day with the BOT, ; ; British Sincer to Malaya Sirigapore, Oct.:31. -|-He brings -in' “Judith” next and-a . Britain's singing: star,. Cliff’ Rich-| new |-play, -“The “Revelation,” ard, and.his instrumental group, the. Shadows, will give two ‘shows | on his own: 14 years ago.. ; in Kuala: Lumpur,. Malaya,. and| Barrault. will also have six new 16-18. four. here next. month, ‘Nov: -1 firstrun. Paris, Oct. 31. Jean-Louis: Barrault, aetor-director.of the state-subsidized. Odeon-. one drawback in French ‘legit -is ents. He has encouraged new playwrights. to send in their manuscripts. Barrualt was handed: his stipulation that he encourage new ‘talents ‘and reprise little: known works of noted authors. * ~ ‘}of fall -human commitnient and puts on’ some classics to point out dio networks next year.” 7 “/Mex Film Burean Nixes Flynn’s Guerrilla Pic {Sierra Maestra region of Cuba Birector. ‘Jacques’ Deray prom-: oy. | as seen by the naked, eye—not only | . energy and the free spirit. of the | Deray was: impressed. by. the ex| decided to use:a ‘maximum of out| door locations for “Rififi”. despite “Rififi” has an in-. ternational cast headed. by «Karl. dustry arbitration board, composed ‘of representatives. from the -dis| tributors and exhibitors association | within the Sindicato Nacional de ‘| that the board is less concerned Top. on Way Out? | ‘| for. specific houses in -salles. for revision of the 23c boxoffice price | Inay “be |. achieved via. Hollywood, ‘through. held out of this market. ‘Recently, | Quirino: Ordaz ‘Rocha, head of the. ’.. who -has. been negotiating to ob-(M-G),.“10..Commandments” (Par), : “Spartacus” (U) ‘and: other multi-million dollar. spectacles, said that. “popular ‘This remark: touched. off a. lot boost,. and “.city and: “federal offi|. | with, the British film censor be mission might be around 80c, this. ‘being termed a popular price in |.boxoffice ‘hike, There. have been. spokesman “in the city government : Rocha ‘himself. carefully . pointed ‘out that. “‘Ben-Hur” scheduled to | preem ‘Nov. 16, would’ n@t be gen-|erally released in the. ‘elreuit after More Legit. Writers. Theater de France, feels that. the the lack of good, new writing tal-: ‘own théatre two years ago with the. ‘Barrault says he wants | a theatre | what he wants from young writers. "as. well as “The Trial," which he did overhead: Mexico City,-Oct. 31. The censorship division of: the | Film -Bureau has turned thumbs: down. on .“Caribbean Guerrillas,” documentary-type film made by. the late Errol Flynn.. It features action by Fidel Castro Ruz guerrills in the when the fight against the Fulgencio Batista regime had begun. Mexican censors found the pic “inconvenient,” and suspended in-. definitely the granting of. an offi-. : cial screening ’ ‘permit. ““The many films I have . seen | Bicycling’ Racket; ~ Sock. Conniving ~_Exhibs in Spain Madrid, Nov. 7. The Investigation that uncovered clandestine film screenings . innorthern Galicia hag been extended to all of Spain and guilty exhibitors are being punished. by a. film: in :| Espectaculo. It was revealed here with. extended -release of product beyond contractual closing’ dates: ‘than: it is with the illegal practice of exhibiting screen fare contracted ‘which: no. distrib-exhib .commitments existed. The. board is. pun-. ishing such: violations with. fines ten times ‘the amount of contracted film rental fees. Simultaneously,. Government in‘spectors in the provinces revealed cases where. certain exhibs listed release of Spanish pix to cover. obligatory screen time’ requirements although local’ product: ‘was never. ‘given public screening. In these. situations, Government officials are also inflicting fines ten times the. amount. specified for film rentals. ‘However, the Government at no time rescinded exhibitor ‘licenses. KING BROS. IRKED OVER “X’ RATING ON ‘GORGO’; -London, Oct. 31: The King Brothers are irate. cause he has. Slapped: an “‘X” certificate on their film, “Gorgo.” Frank King said: “It. means that no: children under 16 can see. it and that’s a big slice of the :market: The censor ‘apparently ‘thinks the film -is too realistic. This film. gives a touching picture of mother Jeve and it’s wrong that children should be denied the chance of seeing. it.” “Gorgo”. has been Taunched | by British Lion witha tongue-in-cheek publicity campaign on the “mon ster-with-a-heart” theme. There {is. some surprise. that the censor should have ated: this filM as ‘a Problem pic. = Mexico City, Oct. 31: " Mexican “féderal film. officials, operating . the ‘government owned admitted | distributorships, have that the sales effort in world mar| Kets has been weak.:. This is to be corrected: now, with ‘directive boards of all three distribution channels’ agreeing on reorganiza| tion. and more. accent on sales. ‘Whije. not officially’ confirmed, word is:that Cimex offices abroad ‘may be -shuttered,. with producer members of the distributor. board ‘in general .agreement on this: Op eration: would. be taken over by. the ‘Madrid. office, of Peliculas Mexicanas. ao Feeling is that “Madrid is cenfrally located, with.salesmen able to go to any part of Europe quick ly, and even to the Middle East. Shutting down of Cimeéx offices in France, Germany. and Italy would }. also mean. considerable saving on: Cimex would. concentrate on the plays. read_on the -hationalized ra| UL ‘S: and ‘the remainder of. the ‘Fworld, ‘with the exception of Latin hei ta of 1960 British Films Mex Film Offic als Admit Sales Efforts Weak in World Markets | America, Europe and. the Middle ‘ent date, according to Anciola, this ‘in Europe, according to Anciola, for such product as “Macario,” “Si-. IN TERN ATIONAL — Oseas Earnings From Dollar Area London, Nov. { Almost one-half of the earnings of British films overseas last year came from the dollar area, according to a new statistical suryey made by the Board of Trade. The total currency gain in 1960 to the Uhited Kingdom in respect of production, sale or rental of British pix was $17,640,000, of which $8,400,000 came from ‘the dollar area and §3,360,000 from thie Sterling area. It showed that $4,480,000 came from non-sterling OEEC countries. and $1,400.000 from other countries. American companies in the UK hold $9,520,000 of their earnings in the UK for the production of, or acquisition of rights in, British films. The BOT points out that the ending of the Anglo-American Film Agreement early last year means that the figures of earnings from the various currency areas are not entirely comparable with previous years. Currency appears to have been more freely transmitted in both directions between the UK and the US. after the ending of the agreement, so that to some extent increased dol< lar receipts by the UK from a balance of payments point of view have been offset by increased amounts of sterling transmitted from the UK to America. To some extent other currencies, particularly from OEEC areas, remitted to the United Kingdom have also been reduced and replaced by dollar remittances. _ Taking together dollar earnings ‘and sterling put up for production, the 1960 figure was some $7,000.000 higher than the comparable figure for 1959 and $5,600,000 greater than the 1958 level. The main reason for the increase, says the BOT, is the benefit to the CK balance of payments from the greater number of British films ‘that have been shown in America, as well as an increase in the production of British films sponsored by U.S. companies. Scot Rep Theatres ‘Halt Attendance Dip Edinburgh, Nov. 7. Attendance at rep theatres in Scotland {sno better than in previous. years, but the general decline seems to have been arrested at three of the houses. So gays a report of the Arts Council of Great Britain, in a reference to activities at Glasgow, Perth, Dundee. and Edinburgh. It singles out as “outstanding”. the. Glasgow Citizens’ Theatre: presentation of “Hamlet,” which was séen by 16,000 customers in a two-wéeks’ run. Praise is also given to the enterprise of the Pitlochry Festival Theatre, which ran from April 16 to Oct: 1. “This Festivalg hold on. audiences,” says the report, “built up steadily since 1951 from 39% of capacity.” See ABPC Buy Tnto Anglo Amals. a London, Oct. 31. “Associated British Picture Corp. is negotiating to buy into Anglo Amalgamated. Film Distributors, according. to informed trade insiders here. Reports have been current during the past month that Anglo Amalgamated was making a distribufing deal through ABPC's releasing affillate, Warner Pathe, but these were strenuously denied at the time. It’ is now learned, however, that negotiations; which have been.in progress for some weeks, are of a substan-. tially different character. Under-. ‘Stood that ABPC has offered to buy’ a 50% holding in Anglo in a deal which would be comparable ‘to fhe recent. Columbia deal with Hammer Films and Bray Studios. “Anglo las been one of Britain’s most successful independent pro| duction-distribution companies for. some years and made a world-wide ‘showing with {ts highly succéssful’ “Carry On” series. The top film in this. series, “Carry On Nurse,” ‘which was the champ grosser this year in Britain, is now reckoned to get. around $2,000,000 in the 'U. S. It has done comparable busihess in most other ‘foreign territories. The amount invoived in the deal is-not. known, though it is recogriized a substantial sum would be required for a 50% holding. The Anglo toppers Nat Cohen and Stuart Levy would; if the buy-in materializes, have a substantial capital gain which, under British laws, would: be tax free. It is assumed they would maintain working control ‘of the company, though this is ‘one. of many points that has not: been clarified. What appears to be certain, however, is that Anglo would continue as an independent producing and distributing company. Brit. Cinema A ions Off 13% in 1960 But Net Takings Up 3g London, Nov. 7. Ont of a total of $57,680,000 gross film rentals charged by film distributors in Britain in 1960, dollar area films accounted for $32,480,000 and British films for $23,800,000. The balance of $1,400,000 is presumably shared by Continental and other imports. These statistics, prepared by the Board of Trade, also show that total admissions in 196 were 13°) down at $521,000,000, and gross takings dropped 6° to $183,120,000. Net takings, however, were 3°o higher (because of remission of entertainment duty) at $166,600,000. Admission duty paid by theatres in 1960 up to the time of remission in the April budget was 3$5,‘880,000, compared with $22,400,000 in the previous year. Levy payments were $10,920,000, a slight increase over the previous year. | After deducting payments for film hire, the exhibitors’ share of net takings was $110,040,000 com‘pared with $105,840,000 in 1959. Seating capacity dropped by 10% in the year and by the end of 1960, the BOT records 3,034 theatres open with a combined capacity of 2,960,000. Average capacity filled during the year was 24.2% compared with 25°% in 1959. The BOT records that admissions and gross takings have continued to decline during the current year although at a slower films in the European and other;rate than during the preceding foreign markets during period | four years. Total admissions in the from January, 1960, up to the pres| first nine months of 1961 are estimated to_have dropped 11°? over the corr&ponding period of 1960 while gross takings hae declined 5°. Milne Chain Expands Dundee, Scotland, Nov. 7. The J. B. Milne cinema group has taken over control of two more East Seotland cinemas, the Troxy in Leven, and the impertal in Methil. This brings the total numeber of cinemas under contrgi of the J. B. Milne group to 31, East. Luis Anciola, head of Cimex, | has a dissenting opinion on the switch of Cimex offices to Madrid, eyen though producers seem to be. veering .toward this idea as soon as the Mexican distribution picture is entirely overhauled. Anciola claims that the center of Cimex operations should be Paris. ' €imex. has sold 65 ‘Mexican. including most European markets. He said that rights to Mexican. films were sold for prices fluctuating between $10,000 and $12,000 per territory. The distributor executive inisted that the Cimex situation is good and that it is progressing in its.expansion of markets for Mexican product. Mexican pictures have prestige who said there was a great demand mitrio,” “80 Legaues Across the Amazon,” ete.