Variety (April 1964)

oaB of Italy’s film production as well as ' “assisting _exhibs, . labs, ‘and studios ne Waiting action’ by the Bank’ plus its os assurance. ‘of support:: _ report -: “notes “. geetion’s Re ome, “March, $1: The: Italian film. industry is. kecp ng an anxious eye on. the. Banca ° del Lavoro. andits. special film |. .eredit: fund, ‘in. the: hopes: that ‘re-|.. cent: hints: ‘of -a. thaw in:.the key}. ‘Bank’s:film credit. operations would . prove true:.. Banca -del. Lavoro’ Ss: vital position : in the local film: finance picture .is -evident.in‘ fact that. each: yearthe. ‘provides funds for about 40% “*" swith . loans” and: credit. In. fact, it has’ been the slow fréeze of ‘the “BNE funds’ last year, and: the sub-sequent -shutdown ..of.. all: finance. ‘to. the. industry in January, which ‘has ‘helped ‘add ‘to the: local: filmbiz ee jitters and ‘crisis talk.. Many ‘basic ~ ally.okayed. productioris have. as ‘a. result been foreedto: postpone}. —— Best’. Official” * ’London;’ March:'31. ‘Nat. Cohen,. joint topper of An Blo ‘Amalgamated. Pictures; heads | the official:.British Film. Delega-: tion ‘at the Buenos. Aires’ Film Fest |. which opens ‘tomorrow '(Wed.). “Nothing ‘But. The Best,” an ‘Anglo | Amalgamated. ‘Pie, ds the official 7 ‘British entry.: " 1. -Cohen’s. delegation will comprise |Clive. :-Donner," the ‘film’s -director; :‘SueLloyd, a feature player in its: ‘and: John Troke, AA's, tub-thumper. ‘Anglo Amalgamated. distributes. the. ‘film. worldwide, : but: the ‘Rank’ “Or-] ‘in Latin}: ganization "handles. America,’ starts or carticel out: completely, a=| > BNL’s contributions : for’ 1963" in. the film: section: totalled.‘some: $48,000,000 (some $6,400,000 more than! *‘gn 4962) according to recently-‘pub-| ” lished -yearly .staternent. . Last: -fi :*manee granted talo . prodietions |" ~Feportedly totalled some’ $1,350,000 . and. was: granted at. Jast committee] ~ “i meeting on Jan. 30 this year. Since ‘ then—nothing.. Some: say “this: is. because of general ‘policy, others ‘:. because: of.a technicality. caused by . yed-tape. Some. members: of . the ' three-year. committee’ which’ .decides on loams has not’ ‘yet: ‘been: formally. constituted. ‘There. is likewise .talk,. however; that. the ._Bank ‘hasassured. certain. local. filmmak ers. that when’: ‘(andif) the ‘situa-|-. --tion is ‘eased, ‘they “will be granted | “™ " requests. compatible with the. ‘BNL’ ee ‘fund ‘status ‘ at..the ‘time. ' -.Another important. factor iin: de: 7 termining ; -future BNL: film fund: operations and: ‘possibilities. appar; -ently is tied to approval of a “BNL. request. that the.’ working ‘capital ‘of the’. fund. be raised: to at : -least $7,000,000. ~. Meanwhile, the: current. ‘tight sits ‘uation ‘in ‘which -the. BNL film fund ‘finds | annual. BNL. ‘statement, “BNL. ‘calls. the situation -“delicate, and “re.. grets ‘fact. that. “redemensioning” .. of. financial: situation ‘in’ Italo: film ‘industry -was.not brought’ -off.: ‘As it did-.in 1956, the ‘film industry :boom™ has been: fol = spread financial tension. ”. BNL also ‘hoped that. its position of. “support: andbalance’: in: the film industry | ‘would be aptly considered ‘when the| “. new’ film aid. legislation is discussed: : f oo.) .dn coming ‘weeks. (it. expires. ‘next -. 2". June.30)., : In a significant, ‘passage, Bank that : Film. Fund: 1963. operations. _ maintained. on’ a” sustaining level ; onlythanks. to:a ‘hefty: contribution. :. by Banea-del. Lavoro itself.(to the “tune of some $30:000,000), and that ‘such. “internal” support. could: only be. temporary:: “This presented the = problem’ of “outside”. contributions -to fund, statement. goes: .on ‘to say, noting that the ‘progressive’ repay-| ‘ment of. film loan. deposits © “which He “(up to June 30, 1962) ‘were: manda tory for. foreign. “imports” (the--so-. called “dubbing. licenses” . which principally hit U.S..imports). would: "+ further: deplete “the already.’ _ de-} --/~sPleted: BNL. film: fund. Some ‘local viewers. see’ in’ “this ports, a hint that the BNL and/or “the Italo. lm industry will perforce seek. new and ..additional, funds. to bolster the. BNL fund finances. i -states” -attorneyin Duisburg, whose. “area” is. responsible. for ‘the film.| 1 since: the’. distributor’ is . located:|there,. ‘said he: did: not plan. to--ban. 2" the: pieture. despite ‘Some ~ official: complafnts . since he ‘did not feel.|.. ‘And ° that. Yank ‘companies : again: ‘may be imposed upon in one form: _.or other in. their operations in: + what. Ms stil a: juerative ‘market. ~ Yank Tourists Spent ; $34, 412,000 in: Ireland’ At Hotels Past Year | | of Catholié ‘Women have’ protested against the pic. It sent. a letter to. the ' West:: German... Film: Censor: ship Board. in ‘Wiesbaden ‘querying | why, Such a film should bedeemed ; vse . Dublin, March: 24, ° “Americans: spent. an. estimated $34, 412,000. ‘paying ‘hotel: bills. in a Ireland last” ‘year,°. according '. to: Central ‘Statistics * Office” . Feport here. a “Expenditure was. 4306 ahead Of — 1962. Statistics embrace “‘U.S. and ‘Canada” under a single: heading, |". but it is known that ‘by. far the larger number . of ~ visitors. have: US. as their: hometown. -: The. transAtlantic: visitors. ‘made: a total of 204,000 :guest’ registra-. ’ tions ‘and. spent “418,000 nights in Trish’ hotels. Overall. biz: for. hotels: ‘in the Republic was up'13% to 4 record beh level: of. $487 112, 2,000. ‘el Wer ‘debating . just whether. ‘The. ‘Si-. Many Entries For. ~ Milan Film Mart | that -ac tors: « Milan, March; 24. . “Large. number of: participants al MIFED. ‘Film. Market, to ‘be held. here ‘April 15-25. ° Advance. book-" ings, according: to MIFED topper. ‘are: ‘for: both film. and. -telepix: sectors. ‘of. the : twice: |yearly. affair, and include a number of. Yank ‘participants. He: expects 1 Guido. Frarici, total activity, to ‘op. Previous year’ 8 figures. | “Entire.” MIFED® activity. in’ ‘the 1. . April ‘show. will. ‘be ‘dedicated .to:} film and videopix -purchase © and t' . sale;whereas: the ‘October ‘MIFED |. ‘will also include. a repeat: of: Jast | fall’s: International Salon’ of Tech-.| nical Inniovoations: (SINT);. together: with. the normal activity..ofthe: ~:| Milan. mart.. ‘Particular accent : at the October. SINT. will be. on. up-to | ‘date: novelties in the’ field of. tele.: itself -is. outlined im the]. . April’ MIFED. coincides, asevery’ year, with. .dates: -of: the general. “Milan Trade Fair, * ‘one of the. top’ | ‘industrial gatherings: and. Aisplays: “successfully on fi the: Continent... The Silence’ Stirs tb “lowed -by’ what: bank.. calls : “wide-|}. Many. Noisy. Debates: he Germany; ‘Ask More Cuts. . Frankfurt, “March. 24. “Ingmar: ‘Bergman’ 3 startling. “The. | Silence”’.is ‘stirring. up lots of-noise’ in. West: ‘Germany:. Even the West. German Parliament’ is. eurrently lence”. :should’ be exhibited: ‘The. pic, which: is: ‘doing .‘sellout: biz in key cities; was ‘brought up. ‘during an ‘angry’ ‘debate in the..West. Ger| man‘: Parliament,: with. Six’: queries from. the. ‘Christian’ Democrats par ty, (largely Catholic): : “especially. worthy”. . category.‘ of: the . German Film: Classification | Board, should have some. additional:|: censoring -. of: the -.more:* sexual: scenes:: Federal Minister:of the In|. terior. Hermann.Hoecher!l. said he}: -felt-that ‘the: “artistic. quality”. of . note,.as well.as in other local re-. ‘the -film:-would: not. be ‘reduced if: three ‘particularly. ‘questionable scenes: were shortened. or changed. |" Meanwhile: onanother front,. the the pic is. immoral under the terms |:of German law. . However,.-he .ad mitted ‘that -it: is“shocking,’ ”. “but. viewable only. by: those: over: 18. . Now. in Bavaria, the State: Assia: “especially ™ worthy;””” inasmuch | ‘as: it presents. two. Ahours of perversi‘|-tles; ‘And in Stuttgart, ‘the’ ‘Protestant church office’ has sent. out a ‘Special flier. “explaining” the film to: young tributed, The. cinemas. are in agreement.and. are even. distributing. the: ‘pamphlets,.which: help’ to. clarify. |. Bergman’s meaning—that™ this is. 4 Godless.-group of people without any, ‘hope’ or r belief: in the world: British. Pic ‘Arg. Fest} : | New Italo VAR . dedicated .. ‘Lformances ‘of “Everyman,” ” Activity in Sweden -Stockholm, ‘March 31:: re ‘total of 24° feature films. * epened’ at. ‘Stockholms. tirst- : run. cinemas during February: 7 : Nine came from United States,“ |: “five. from. France “and: four. ..|’-. * from’ Britain. Two of the films :|. "| were ofSwedish origin: ‘Other. “| *-. * films. were imports. from Den~ 7’ * mark, ‘Finland; and Italy. ‘one film ‘during February, the American “Nightmare” (VU), In oe altogether; : including . shorts, "newsreels, cartoons’ and :‘trail-" -. ers,*-123 . films. -werepresented * to: ‘the’ censors:during -Febru-.... ary. ‘Top’ longrunner. in Stockholm: ‘is . cleopatra,’ ” How. on: M ‘its. 19th -week. « ‘Rome: March. 24, has ‘been: signed ‘in Cairo. This pact, which is automatically | ‘tions. between two. countries, notes’ and technicians: ‘for’ “| such © pix: will .be. restricted to ready -have. réserved space and -fa-| Italians. and . Egyptians, ‘and that cilities ‘for -the ‘upcoming ninth’ or. Egypt. Italo’ interests. U-A.R.. was repped by | ‘Salah © ‘Amer: ‘prexy: of ‘that “TV. ‘Directors, .:. |S Marks: Square May. Be Setting for Preem : Venice, ‘March al, “Fated. Saint. Marks Square here | may serveas the. spectacular setting for Venice Film:Fest opening night ‘Quoted’ -by © authoritative Italo. news agency, ANSA,. Chiarini said: “We must’ make’ festivals. interest “ing” once more, and. also better their -| coritent.. and‘: present films which. -| expose problems.””. :.:: The: Venice . budget remains. a Liaagor ‘obstacle in. any: thinking: [about .. necessary refurbishing— especially. Tegarding <the |. évent’s ‘main theatres,:'still equipped with: -tseats: installed’ ‘in :1937.. An. attempt’ -:| will ‘be. made .to get a: larger‘ gov-: : ernment grant; closer to the $320,000 minimum: needed:to run the. ‘show.properly. than -the current (re -ported). budget of: only. $208,000. .Of this, some $170;000 is contributed. by ‘the government,’ ‘according to unconfirmed figures... Because of est,’ making’ « “the. burden: ” even | greater.” Itwas: questioned whether: this ‘film, .Which. has been: awarded. the. ‘to. film. : ~ Saban S. ‘Agenda _ Salzburg; . March: 31: Salzburg: Festival. program: “for 1964 is™ completed. . Events _ as ‘follows: < Sena Jurinac: . Reri ‘Grist, Thomas, : Paul. Schoeffler. —_ “Electra” with. ‘Astrid’ Varnay, Martha Moedl; ‘James King. -“Cosi' fan tutte”. (Boehm) with, “Blisabeth ° ‘Schwarzkopf, C: hrista_ Ludwig, Graziella: Sciutti, Walter | ‘Kment,.’ iH e. B. m a ni “Prey, Peter . ! Doench.”. ; nae: Annelises . Rothenberger, Otto, ‘the two ‘majors. Both have pre 1 its former cinema interior, has a (Maazel) with. “Hilde: viously.-been published, but for: the: Gueden, Graziella: Sciutti, Evelyn: | Lear; Edeimann. . . “Figaro” :Dietrich ‘Fiseher.‘Dieskau, Geraint. Evans.) * : . “Magic : Flute”. ‘Roberta Peters, ‘Walter. Kment; ‘Waltér. Berry;: Peter | Kreppel,: Paul: Schoeffler. . people, . with: -25,000.° copies: -. dis|. “Macbeth” . (Sawallisch) . Grace: Bumbry,:' Dietrich.. ‘Fischer‘Dieskau, Giuseppe Zampieri. , The -drama : will. be. Tepresented. by.-Goethe’s. “Faust: I’ and. “Faust W’.‘and the.:annual ‘openair. per-, Censorship Board ~ ‘banned ae oe ‘| ‘investigation. ‘and trading practices of the British | film. industry.. the ‘Cinematograph | | Films Council has. completed ‘its re|. Ds “London, “March 31. ‘Ning. ‘months. after it ‘started: its. ‘into. the Structure: number. from other circuits. such a8 “Granada and Essoldo, as well as independent situat i ons, there would be the: ‘nucleus of a. useful third outlet... .The first proposal was rejected | Easter. recess. |. mendation : in. the‘report; ‘which | hand, the Council. felt there was ‘| rutis’28 pages,-is that the industry much ‘to ‘be ‘said for co-operative . .| should -make -4 new. effort to. re= ‘| open ‘negotiations for the establish-:| Film Pact Signed |-of this. kind may lead the Board.of. arrangements. ‘port, which has been published as by: the Council . because it had to. . Sa. governmental, White Paper, and | recognize that: without the “pros“which was.preserited.to the House} pect. of a” ‘major: circuit release it| of Commons last. Thursday (26)-on | would ‘be . difficult, if not. impos-. the. eve ‘of: its | closure’ for ‘the:| sible; to finance the. production. of -The -main -recom| afirst. ‘feature film.” On the: other ‘booking : by substantial groups of independent cinemas, .and urged. ment of. an. adequate third release. | that the Kinematograph:: Renters. That ‘recommendation. carries. the | Society should be asked to give proviso that. failure ‘to. take’ action ||: positive’ encouragement to such Sone ‘Trade to.eonsider : ‘what further oT “AG Tew Ttalo:UAR film agreement i | action could be taken: ‘The: -teportopens» with an. exe change: of: correspondence between ‘renewable every three years, calls. change: o resp 7 for. “encouragement”. ‘of coproduc Sir.. Sydney. “Roberts;.. the © inde-. Big Third Release Issue. . “On. the. ‘third . release issue, the Teport regrets the breakdown. of the negotiations. and felt tha‘: with ‘amore’ Zenerous attitude on. the they’ will. be" lensed either: in: Italy’ country’s Assn: of Film, Radio, and. a recommendations, | ister also. ‘quotes a Films. Council:} | résolution ‘which “urged the: BOT j Paper endorses the. view that the ‘to examine the feasibility ‘of taking: major: . -all _ practicable » measures: ‘to_-in| strength and asks the question: is > OF Venice Film Fest| ° led. to ‘the: present situation, fol gala.. The ‘possibility. is being con|: sidered. by festival: topper tel and’ allegations and an. outline of |their circuits.-but also ‘in the fact Chiarini’ as: a means of attracting. ‘worldwide: attention. to the.. event: ‘pendent ' chairman of. the: Films. ‘part of ‘the circuits, major ~ cand: -Council. and :the’. president. of the.|minor,. something. might have been: ‘BOT, ‘Edward Heath, in which the ‘achieved. It recognized the shortMinister declares he: ‘ts. giving care| | ful °consideration..’to the’ main.|that. at present there “were.too -Tecommendations:. about’ | ‘the de | | it le — sub to : AnnibaleSciciuna: of: Italy’ Ene sirability. in principle — subject to|for ‘three: releases. If however, a tertainment. ‘Ministry’ signed "for. age of product, but had: been told maiiy films for ‘wo and. notenough its practicability. — of more com= solid .third ‘release, and thus an petition: in: the’ exhibition’ of ‘films. | additional’ basis for. finance,. could: ‘And that..-he-would also ‘be: con ‘sulting appropriate-industry bodies | sible that: production might. be. in be established, it-was thought pos about the application of the. ‘other creased and ‘the indie producers. _ ‘| given . a. widespread range of: po tential Support.In its summing up,. the White Sir’ Sydney’ s: ‘Tetter® to the ‘Min ‘circuits have crease. competition inexhibition: ‘|there any danger of their using it “White Paper in 4 Sections. [as a tyrant?” Two things are clear,: The. White. ‘Paper is divided into | it adds: #1) that the growth of Rank: four: ‘sections, starting with an ‘exand’ ABC has been of great -value ‘haustive. analysis. ofthe events that } to the stability of the film industry; (2) that the danger inherent. in this: lowed by a summary. of: compiaints growth lies not only. in the size of. the remedies proposed to,the | Films | that each of them . combines the Council’s investigating .-sub-com-| function “of producer, distributor a giant’s _ ‘mittee... -The. final section: -is de-. voted ‘to actual : conclusions and | recommendations: mo First. part. of* “the | eport: ‘pin: | ‘points the. . widespread’ closure of: | theatres: from 4,609 in 1952, when paid. ‘admissions ran to. -1,312,000,: 000 :a. year, . to2,429 hhardtops in |. 1962; by. which ° time: admissions. | had. dwindled to’ 415,000,000. That. had affected the: balance. of. power ‘of cinemas.-owned by: the circuits, which “had ‘incteased from ‘28% .in “1952 to 42% : for 10 years. later. The . two -majors,. Rank: and: ABC, had: increased: ‘their -share.-in that Addi-. available; but the fact-remains that. ‘the two: -combines. naturally ‘give... period from™ 20% to” 26%. tionally, it was re-affirmed. that the two. Majors | now. ‘control about 41%: of the. total:seats: in. the. country, | slowdowns. in government payments | against 33% in 1952. of ‘grants, festival. is ‘forced ‘to’ pay: | some $15,000 “each yéar in “inter-. One of the major complaints put. to the: investigating committée was | that the. amalgamation _ of. the. ‘Odeon and: Gaumont: circuits. and. and. exhibitor. Sir Sydney. Roberts’ letter to the Minister draws a‘ten-. tion; however, to the fact that certainmembers of the: Films Council. disassociate © ‘hemselves from ‘-cer-tain statements in that observation; Reason For 3d Release Setup | The. report. also’ says. that it may be: ‘regrettable that -in the present circumstances of the industry pro {ducers ‘should; for the most part,. +1 be dependent. for finance upon . Rank or -ABC, or upon American’ ; companies: To. this it may well be replied that it. is fortunate for the industry. that ‘hese : ‘sources are. preference’ to films in which ‘hey. have ‘a financial interest, with’ a result..‘that the Independent pro|.ducer May ‘be faced with a long de~ layin’ release. And consequently in obtaining funds. for fresh produc {and competing. ‘exhibitors. . [suggested ‘that. the dominance’ of | ture. of the. industry. is uncertain, [the two circuits:conferred too much {the Council: believes that since. it _{tion: It is these considerations that “Chiarini ‘also ‘Pevealed: that this: the decline in the number of. in‘year’s: fest: ‘retrospective ‘will’ be the Scandinavian | ‘dependent’ theatres ‘had’ increased |/ed the Council to place. particular the relative power of Rank and. emphasis. on: renewed efforts to. es ABC to the detriment of. rroducers ablish an: adequate third release... c. P It: was. Although suggesting : ‘that the fu power .on. the: two corporations to |is a creative industry it has a fu ‘decide: which films‘ ‘should. have. :a. ‘ture—perhaps -of contracted range ‘| Chance to -sucéeed:. and ‘that: ‘the | from the’commercial point of view, ‘lackof real. competition: between | But. still it’s .a range within which : | them reduced potential’ returns to |new ideas and newformats. of _ “Ariadne ‘of Naxos”. (conductor. Karl Boehm): with Christa Ludwig, | : Jess (conductor Karajan) | “(Kertesz). with | Pilar’ -Lorengar;: with ‘the. .producers.. i -It was. also “alleged ‘that’: the’ : “majors ‘Yeserved the: ‘best. ‘exhibi| tion “dates. for: -product -in.” which. ‘they had an interest, leaving ‘the | | inferior. ‘dates for. other. distribu|. ’ | tors.” There were also many com| plaints. .in ‘regard te extended. bar} Ting practices, particularly: in, rela| tion. to: 70m films: : Remedy ‘to Cut. ‘Power: of. “Majors | .Among -. the. remedies | ‘suggested. 1 'Rosenkavalier”. (Karajan). with to the. Films Council ‘were’ two ‘Elisabeth, ‘Schwarzkopf, Sena Juri designed ‘to. : redtice™ the. beoking: -presentation could: be developed. First All Purpose. Fun Centre Bows in Scotland; “Has Bingo, Plans Rassling Lochgelly, Scotland, March 31, : Scotland’s..' first all-purpose enfertainment centre opened here to-. ‘night (Tues,) in the former Cinema. ‘de Liixe; owned by. Tocal exhib Joe. power .and growing“ dominance -of ‘Timmons, -New. building, transformed from’ record: the: first recommended ‘that: modern dance: floor, ‘refreshment . product, under the.-supervision : of an. ‘independent tribunal. The. sec-} --ond proposed: that Rank and ABC ‘should: :be. required . to dispose. of theatres in ‘the’ London area which: ‘Were redundant :to.-their own fre|" lease. to .a. third ‘party, ‘possibly the. Natiorial Film “Finance Corp: It “was: estimated -there ‘were 30° such | : theatres, -and: with van. unspecified: ‘citeuits Should. be -re-organized for | bars, . and:a new hall-and foyer.” booking purposes .into: local area ‘Despite. removal pf seats to allow. ; ‘groups. of ‘not. more ‘than 25 each, ; for alterations;: the seating capac-: ‘with ‘a local: booker’ picking. the ity. (for stage shows, films, ete.) re ‘mains at800. ‘Comedian Jack Radcliffe topped the’ layout at. opening gala night, : with Jimmy Blair’s band and-singer David -Kinnaird. Along with: vaude. shows and films, Timmons also hopes. to stage ‘wrestling maiches. Bingo, first fea tured in the district at the ‘Cinema de: -Luxe,: ‘is. continuing.