Variety (Sep 1935)

'VABIETI'S' LONDON OFFICB, INTERNATiONAi; NEWS Telephone Temple Bar 6041-60tS Cable Address; VAJtllSTT^ LONDON 27 S U. S. Distribs Adamant on Mexican ; iWalk Threat; Film Famine Feared Mexico city, Sept. 24. frequently threatenecj prospect of Mexico ■ beliier without fllrns Is. now believed at hand. Eight American major distribs—Paramount, Metro, rdx, Uftlted Artiste, tTnlveraai; "War- jners, Columbia and Radio—rare fitandingr pat on their ultimatum to the government that they will quit the country ,^ept. 30 iinlesq high jduty on films Is reduced. " .._.Appeaxa.nQw Jiatllhaqjilttlng will tie on the. level since the govern me.nt is peeved, at the Americana for threatening It with ultimatums, If the Americana walk put the nrOO-odd cinemas in Mexico will have to close, since the hatlves cannot produce anywhere neao- the 620 fea^ tures, which' are Mexico's average' jannual requirement. No hope for help from European Alms, as those producers are. in the same boat with the Americans regarding duty. Exhibs Hurt Most Exhibitors will undoubtedly be hurt most in the walltout. Two -large theatres in the city told the igovernment that It must prevent the Americans from quitting at a\l costs asserting that their custoniers faVor Amierlcan Alms above all others. Most exhibs are frantically book Ing every Mexican and Spanish pic possible, In the hope of building up some kind of a reserve; but the available product Is pathetically limited. Xiocal Cinematographic Employees Union is drafting a plan which. It will submit to the government for Increasing native production and en- couraging Europeans by cutting duties In their favor as against the American^. Washington, Sept 24. U. S. Government making no at- tempt to aid distributors supplying the Mexican ih9.t-ket in row over confiscatory Mexican Import taxes on American films. State Dept said ho representations have bieen made to the Mexican authorities over drastic effect of hew schedule yhich goes into operation Oct; 1. ' Indicated U. Si distribs will gam hie on the chance that cutting of film supply will lead, to repercus slons in Mexico which in time will cause' the Government to rescind the decree. None of our exporters has kipked to the State Dept. about the tax barrier, more or less sub- stantiating this suspicion. COLUMBIA'S PICTURE PRODUCnON IN ENG. Lohdon, Sept. 24. Joe Friedman, local Columbia rep, and Joe Seidelman, Col's for- eign chief, now here on a visit, have closed a deal with Howard Walsh to produce seven pictures for Col locally. Deal calls for the first picture to be a musical starring Gitta Alpar, Hungarian singer. Arrangement Is that Walsh will dig up 70% of the bankroll and Co- lumbia will furnish the balance. No studio Is set yet. GFs Cap Renovating London, Sept. 24. Opposition has been withdrawn to the General Theatres reorganization for reduction of capital. It's due for court hearing next month. Part of the schieme was a drastic reconstruction of the Capitol Tlie- atre and work on this is starting Immediately. House will remain open for Uyo months during pre- liminary reconstruction, then clos- ing for three months for completion. When finished seating capacity will be Increased, from l.SOO to 2,500. Too Much Napoleon Paris. Sept. 15. Battle of Napoleons at the Comedie Francaise probably will lead to a law suit Paul Raynal, author of 'Napoleon Unique,' who has given his play to the Comedie for production, has withdrawn it On grounds that previous produc- tion of Sardou's 'Madame Sans Gene,'; also dealing with tlie private life of Napoleon, would queer his show. Comedie, sore at the withdrawal, |s getting ready to sue Rayn.al for breach of contract. Italian Cricket .Rome, Sept. 13. Lulgl Gatonl, local music hall favorite, has been an-esled' and win have to explain to miaglstrates why he sang 'No More, Cohciettina' on the stage of the FoUl^. Bstlve. He wrote tiie song hlrtiself, , l)u^„fprg^^ thorltles for approvaL That's no cricket in Italy. YANK PIX PILE UP IN ROME; TAX ISSUE Rome, Sept. 13. Decision by the Ministry of Finance is expected shortly on whether , or not the present dubbing tax of f3,000 per film will remain or will be changed into a 10% tax on the gross of imported pictures. De- lay In the'decisive move has a fiock of AmerlcaTi films, lying idle and has caused a shortage among ex- hibitors, •whose .squawks are be- lieved to preclptate a,ctlon. Over six months ago the Dlrectoir General of the Cineriia announced a change in the regulations regarding importation of Anierlcan made films. This plan was to reduce the Yankee output In Italy, erase the dubbing tax and Institute the 10% clip. Idea was to have been in- augurated in June but Is at present still pending. Erroneously reported that the procrastination was due to the Director General and was not with- out'reason as he desired the Italian output' to Increase during this time and was seeking reciprocal arrange- ments ■with other European coun- tries. Actually, however, the papers have been iield up In the Finance Ministry. ' Season Is in full swing Sni there are only 46 Anierlcan films being marketed. This number got under the barrier before notification of the change. Others, totaling 130, are still in the customs ofllce awaiting word before being dubtted and sent out. THIRD RERUN HOUSE GOES CRAND OPERA Berlin, Sept. 15. Additional t6 the State Opera House and Civic Opera, Charlotten- burg, grand opera makes its entry these days at the Theatre des Wes- tens, another Charlottenburg house, formerly a revue and operetta the- atre. Theatre des Westens trades now as 'Volks Oper' (People's Opera) and is under management of genr e'ral music director Erich Orthmann froni' Dantzig. It 'was here that the Moscow Jewish Theatre opened Its German tour a few years before the Hitler regl .. Jules Marx, then director of the Scala vaude house, tried out the Theatre des Wf stens as a pop oper- etta theatre with two shows daily at 75c top matinees and 11.25 eve- nings, but failed. Popular Musical liondon, Sept. 15. ♦That's Bill, That Was,' musical farce, written by Guy Bolton and Fred Thompson, is being talked about for three different English stars;- "Tircy - -are- J-auiL--BuuiTtairdTi;- Bobby Howes and Arthur Riscoe. Musical -was originally dickered for by William MoUison and Julian Wylie, just before latter died. It was then acquired' by T. H. Bostock, 6f the Assliicratea'Theatre Prbpei-- tles, who sold it to Hernian Fellner. French Film Industry in Hurry To Organize as Protective Move Agauist Governmental M^^ LIFE IN REICH Berlin, Sept. 15. A^ press notice in the Berllri dailies gives prominence to a statement issued by the 'Arbelts- bescliaffUngsstelle der Relchsfach- schaft Artistlk' (Government's Em- ployment OfQce. for Professional Performers' Organization). Ap- proximately $68,000 Is claimed as havlriig been paid put to Jobless vaude actors whd took part in spe- cially arranged sho'ws. Gimmick Is this: such perform- ances go on twice weekly In Ber- lin halls (Frledrinschaln Brewery, and Clou Restaurant) at lovy ad- missions. Whatever salary Is handed out to the small-timers must be reported to the Relief of- fice on next pay day, w^th a large hunk being deducted, automatical- ly, thus leaving vaudeyllUans with barely coffee and no cake money. Ever since the complete! wipe-out of vaude shows in dpzens of pic- ture houses In Berlin, these small- timers 'live' on doles. Only a few managed to switch into other fields, majority just sticking and hoping for the best. NATHANSON AND HOLT BUY INTO BRITISH UON London, Sept. 15. Deal has been entered Into by Samuel W. Smith, managing direc- tor of British Lion Films, with N. L. Nathanson and A. P. Holt, of Can- ada, for a British Lion capital re- organization. Latter duo will sub- scribe at par for $625,000 worth' of 6% first convertible debenture stock in Smith's company, aiid 500,000 ordinal shares at 25c. each. Nathan- son and Smith, ii>''addition, are granted an option for five years on 1,000,000 additional ordinary 25c. shares at par. Authorized capital of British Lion will be raised from $1,000,000 to $3,750,000. A meeting to consider reorgan- ization of the company is called for Oct. 3, and If the schedule Is ap- proved, Nathanson and Holt will Join the board. Karl May in Pix Berlin, Sept. 15. Late Karl May, great hero amongst German i)oys and girls, goes the way of all best-sellers. His story, 'Through the Desert,' is being adopted for films. Lothar Stark unit of Syndicate Films Is dispatching an expedition to Egypt and the Arabian Desert for,outdoor shots. . j\w$$ie._Lp.yc. Sidney; Aug. 27. Pay for the Quota Advisory : Board members la . not so bOt> F. W. Marks, chairman, wjll ,-_eop-$500-pcr-annum;-Cre3Swell_. O'Reilly, present Common- wealth Censor, gets $375 an- nually, and E. B. Harkness, deputy chairman, won't . get ^pald. - Alt members of board hold down good outside Jobs and are working on quota biz main- ly for the love of the thing. NAZI BID FOR BRITISH PIC ALLIANCE London, Sept. 15. New film company Is being :formed here titled Inter-European Picts., Ltd., to take two billnguals. Irst is 'Volga Boatman,' with Raquel Torres being dickered for lead, with part of the production cost coming from Germany. Nego- tiations are pending for British In- ternational studios to be used for making the. picture, for which a rental of $40,000 will be charged, with BIP to pay $125,000 against the completed negative. Second picture is 'Shanghai-Mos- cow,' to be made In Germany at a total cost of $200,000, over half the amount to be paid by a German company with B. I. P. to advance $75,000 on arrival of the negative. This is the first attempt by the defunct German film industry to st£:ge a comeback. Also the first oc- casion the Hitler regime has agreed to allow any real money to go out of Germany. EMU. NATAN ALREADY ON HLM COMEBACK Paris, Sept. 16. Emil Natan, who with his brother Bernard was ousted from Pathe- Natan by Robert Dirler's stock- holders' suit, is ' already making a film comeback as the reputed partner of Seymour Nebenzahl In tiie production of 'Mayerllng/ Firm is known as Concordia Prod. Neben- zahl is now making 'Vie Parlslenne' In French and English versions for United Artists. 'Mayerllng.' Firm Is known as Concordia Prod: Nebenzahl is now making 'Vie Parlslenne' in French and English Versions for United Artists. Bernard Natan, unlike his broth- er. Is believed to be lying low for the time being. Berlin Biz Up Berlin, Sept. 15. Official figure.s show a marked Increase in local receipts. Month oif July had over 500,000 more vis- itors in picture houses than came month in 1934. Figures from month of August almost douhle, Strassburger Put Out of Circus Field in Germany by Ai^an Laws EXHIB WANTED Mexico City, Sept. 24. De luxe naborhood cinema, fully equipped, and seating 2,594, built by a charity organization as part of its American style apartment house here, i.s looking for an exhibitor. House l.** the Cine Ermita, city's G5th, and is in a go6d suburb. Berlin, Sept. 15. Circus Strassburger, one of Ger- many's largest three-ring circuses, has been taken over by Paula Busch, of the Circus Busch family. Deal is a direct consequence of the Nazi law that 'No Jews are allowed in show biz.' For generations Strassburger has carried on in the, Fatherland employing a large number of show people. Lid came down with recent edict of Reichskulturkammer (Chamber of Culture) enforcing the law. Strassburger family has large connection in international show biz via any number of relations, known, all over the globe. All the Blumenfelds, Janslys, Bronnetts, Goldkette, Cos.smeycr, Hullng- Philadclphia, Alf Loyal, Arnaut Bros., oiympia Desva), Novello Bros., Gaudsumlths, Gaiitler, and others w.k. In the United States, are either cousins, nephews, uncles, .sisters, brothers, or what have youj of the Strassburger crowd. A few scaaons ago' Strassburger obtained permission from the Swedish government to tour the- country. Being the first three- ring circus ever exhibited In Scan- dinavia, Stras.sburger made ?400,- 000 in one season.' Paula Busch is nov/ playing the circus in hen- Hamburg building. Berlin season Is off on account ot building having to be razed. Paris, Sept. 15. "Wild" effort of -tKe-^Ibcal' film' InV '■ dustry to organize Itself is accom- panying fight on decree-laws by which, the Government wants to control the . trade , b-iit which., have not yet been promulgated. — I4's - a- scrap^-jietweeh.—Cbarles- Delac's Chambre Syridicale. crowd, accompanied by the unionized film 'artisans' and the authors' reps, on the one hand, and the Comite du Film, representing the commercial elennents of the Industry and backed by tlie Americans on the other. Comite . du Film wants to absorb the Chambre Syndicale and £.iake It reprasentative merely of the trade's 'heavy industry,' printers and other laboratory interests. Those are the people who now form the majority in the Chambre, since its producer backing is about washed up. Comite would then consist of 12 members; three for the Cham- bre, representing printers, etc.; three for the Uhioa Syndical des Dlstrlbuteurs, distribs' association, to which the Americans belong; three for the producers' association,- which had already beeii formed before the decree-laws loomed, but which wasn't very strong yet; and three for the exhibitors' association headed by Rayihond Lussiez. If If trade can get together on this basis, it will be able as a unit to fight the proposed decrees, or at least go organized before the min- istry to get rid of features it ddssn't like. And if the decrees are issued. Government officials administering them win have to take the Comite, as its organization Is proposed, into consideration as a trade executive body. But It's a dogfilghf, stiU as ever In France. If the trade weren't in a continual turmoil, the efforts to organize It which have stretched over several years -wouldn't have flopped. Meanwhile preparations of decrees still, continue, -with the pro- mulgation announced for about two weeks from now. Commercial ele- ments of the industry have got to Mario Roustan, Minister of Educa- tion, with their protests, but it doesn't look as if he'd take them entirely Into, account. Decrees as issued; however, will probably differ considerably from th? original -version subniltted to the Minister by the Intermlnisterial Cpmniission and drawn up by its chief, Grunbaum Ballin. It will be softened, although main lines per- sist. Quota Quota of 30% French films to be shown In theatres, is retained, and no provision has yet been made for exceptions In the case of houses specializing In foreign pictures. Government control of collection of producers; distributors' and au- thors' percenta.ges, to be made di- rectly from theatres, is also retained as a main feature of the decree- laws. But origanizatlon which will do the collecting will probably not be the same as that formulated by Grunbaum BalUn. He wanted the Government to have preponderant control of >thl8 organization, and authors' societies to have a big hook in it' Higher-ups now want to try to create a collection bureau that would be run by the trade itself, and if the Comite du Film can really organize the induistry as it is trying to do, this Job may be turned bvcr to it, American concerns still Insist that they are strongly opposed to having their money handled by A anybody, even the Comite du Film, B Film reformers' idea is tiiat Gov- ^ ewiment control 6f collection would.—• end a lot of gypping which now goes on in the biisinefls here; and they contend It. would be an advan- tage to dl8trli)3. They say that renting on a strict percentage basis, which decrees are texpccted to re- quir would be oke for distribs, if they could be sure exhibs would lection agency is intended to obvi- never cheat, and the proposed coir ate cheating. Argentina in B. A. Buenos Aires, Sept. 5. Argentina, SpahLsh dancer, has ictul-ned to Bueno.<! Aires, where she c.n.lpys a huge popularity. 'fhia yoar she Is Ipcorporating •somo Argentine national, dances in her repertoire.