Variety (Mar 1939)

• St. HartlnTi Flaee» TrafalgM B«aai« INTERNATIONAL NEWS Cable AddrcMt TABIErT, LONDON Tclcpfaoiw TAmpIe. Bar WMl-SOU 11 MORE NAZI FILM INROADS Briti^ Govermnert Bacb Mo?e To Aid Native Film Production London, Maich 28. A move to bolster declining British production has been made -by the government In inspiring a meeting of a banker committee for tomorrow (Wednesday) to formulate plans for financing accredited producers. Big insurance companies will also be In- vited to cooperate. Oscar Deutsch, bead of Odeon The- atres, also is following the trend, be- ing expected to issue a statement shortly that he's prepared to finance British producers. He would guar- antee release over his circuit and distribution by United Artists. This would give Odeon a much greater choice of pictures than presently. Heretofore, under the new quota, American companies- have lieen forced to finance British production since a certain percentage of theltf films must be British-produced un- der the quota rules. During recent debate In the House of Commons, several q»eafcers advo- cated some constructive steps being talcen on both financing and arrange- ments to insure good British films. Lord Strabolgi pointed out that the Moyne committee had recommend- ed some form of flnancipl coopera- tion, which not only would make finance available at reasonable rates of interest, but would see that this finance, only went to reputable pro- ducers. At the time it was indicated that the government would give 'w- couragement in that direction. Spolcesman for the government In ^e house said that the severe set- back in independent British produc- tion, suffered during the first yedr of the new quota, was due to lack of finance. It was also pointed out-that the international tension of the. last ' year had acted as a brake on flnanc- ■ Ing, but that ttiis situation apparent- ly had eased. Admitting that an additional fillip was needed for independent British production, speakers indicated that the extravagance and lossc: formerly incurred would not foe tolerated. The steady advance in quality of British films ia the last year, with such pro- ductions as "The Mikado,' 'Pygma- lion,' The Citadel' and 'Drums,' among a' few others, was pointed out Success of several in U. S., Mitere an English film has long been difficult to sell to-the public, par- ticularly keynotes the improvement purihg these talks in the House, one speaker claimed that only 90 British films wopld be registered in th} year ending March 31. Of these ' it was said that only 10 were strictly British made, others being films made 'In 'tliis country to American order and with American money. NOVELLO'S LONDON MUSICAL OPENS OK London, March 28. Ivor Novello's musical, "The Danc- ing Years,' was splendidly received In opening at the Drury I.ane thea- tre Thursday night (23). Some- what on the line of NoveUo's 'Glam- orons Night,' "Years,' Uid in pre- war and post-war Vienna, is being presented by Leontine Sagan and has Novello as its star. Mary EUis, the former opera singer and film player, plays opposite Novello. Barry Lynde, author of "The Amazing Dr. CUtterhouse,' has ex- perienced considerably less success With his litest play, 'The Man In Half Moon Street,' which was brought ot the New theatre Wednes- day night (22) by Alec Rae and E. P. Clift. Starring LesUe Banks, in Me first ot a series of plays for j«oon Street's' producers, the play appears uhllkely. It Is ian eerie tale of ah aged medico, played by Banks, Who rejuvenates himself through gandular treatments. Ann Todd has *l,«nly female part ■ Tamily Reunion,' whose theme, a tragedy, in modern dress, was Poised by the crix as splendid Uter- ature, seemed" too obscure for popu- lar consumption in Its opening at tne Westminster March 21. ADELPHI FOLDS VAUDE Guitry-Hleks at Collsenm CUek in BlUngnal Skit London, March 28. The Adelphi, operating- at a loss since it introduced Its vaudeville policy there six weeks ago, quits that setup Saturday (1). Coming in yes- terday (Monday), the Nelson Novel- ettes, doubling from the Dorchester Hotel, went over strong in the final week of the Adelphi's current policy. Sacha Guitry and Sir Seymour Hicks clicked at the Coliseuih open- ing yesterday with a delightfully in- consequential sketch which charac- terized Guitry as one who had no knowledge of Knglish, with Hicks showing himself to be equally unfa- miliar with French..Their protracted attempts- at conversation is surefire here, biit -valueless elsewhere. Ysmk Cois. Fight Threat by Spam In Latin America American picture companies will imlimber their biggest guns in an effort to capture and hold the Latin- American market in the next few months. Besides the urge to over- come losses sustained as a result of Hitler's Ontral European domina- tion, foreign departments are appre- hensive over the possible return of Spain to production on a normal scale.. With cessation of warfare in Spain seen only a matter t2 time now, picture people in that country will likely line up 'production plans shortly, along with the general're- construction. What American offi- cials hope to do is entrench them- selves in South America and Cen- tral America so strongly that new product from Spain can be success- fully combatted. Corrent LondoD Pbys^ f With Dates When Opened) 'Me and My Girl.' Victoria Palace —Dec. 16, '37. 'Room for Two,' Comedy—Sept 6, '38 'Dear Octopus,' Queens—Sept 14, '38. The Corn Is Green,' Duchess — Sept 20, '38. 'Quiet Wedding,' Wyndham's—Oct 14. ^38. 'Goodness, How Sad,' Vaudeville— Oct 18,'38. 'Geneva,' St. James—Nov. 22, '38. 'Under Your Haf Palace—Nov. 24, '38 'Number Six,' Aldwych—Dec. 21, '38. They Walk Alone,' Shaftesbury— Jan. 19, '39. 'Magyar Melody,' His Majesty's— Jan. 20, "39. 'Design for Living,' Haymarket— Jan. 25, '39. Tony Draws a Horse,' Strand- Jan. 26, '38. '. „„ 'Gas Light' Apollo—Jan. 31, "39. 'French Without Tears,' Piccadilly —Feb. 5, '39. , _ 'Little Ladyship,' Lyric—Feb. 7, '39 ■ 'To Love and to Cherish,' Kings- way—Feb. 21, '39. The Mother,' Garrick-March 3. *39 'Robert's Wife,' Savoy—March. 6, '39 'Black and Blue,' Hippodrome- March 8, "39. 'Gate Revue,* Ambassadors — March 0, '39. , , 'Sugar Plum,' Criterion—March 15 '39 'Mrs". Van Kleek,' Playhouse — March 17, '39. ^ , To Be or Not To Be,' Phoenix- March 19, '39, ^ , ^ 'Family Reunion,' Westminster — March 21. '39. ^, The Man in Half Moon Street New—March 22. '39. •Dancing Years,' Drury Lane — March 23. '39. GREIITEfl SCOPE FOR GERMAN PIX Central European Growth of Hider Orbit Not Only Cuts Down U.S. Film Mar- ket but Opens Newor Channels for Reich's Film Output U. S. PROBLEM GROWS Hitler's reshuffling of central Europe in the past 10 days.is an ad- ditional blow to the American com- panies foreign fllih Income. All of the major companies are not defi- nitely set on their future pblicy in countries coming imder the Nazi orbit but 3ll> eiiceptiiig Paramount Metro and 20th-F6x. probably will quit these nations- just as they did Austria when &tler moved iii. For these major companies! the German sweep through central Europe this month represents a loss of 2Vi-3% of the. total foreign bus! ness. Most severe blow was the loss of Czechoslovakia, where the distri- bution is reported to represent more than 1^% of the foreign-take.' Aside from this monetary loss, American distributors were ad- mittedly disturbed over the import of . this development As each new territory is Nazified, this means just that much larger market for German productions. Consequently, besides shutting out most U. S. companies, it gives the Nazi film companies an op- portunity to expand and entrench themselves against American dis- tributors should they get back into these lands again. New York officials estimate that the loss suffered, as result of Hitler's parade through central Europe, runs about as follows: Czechoslovakia, IH to 1.7%; Rumania, 0.7%; Hun- gary, 0.5%; and Memel, a fraction ot 1%, figures being based on foreign market alone. Lithuania, Latvia and Esthonia combined represent less than 0.4%. Memel, covering about 800 square miles, is. a part of Lithuania. An idea of what this means to the foreign revenue total is gleaned from the fact that Mexico represents only about 1% of the foreign total rev- enue. Italy, presently lost to Ameri- can distributors, represented litUe more than 2%% of the foreign take. This dent in the- foreign total and gradual realization among foreign executives that the cream has been taken from the foreign market doubtlessly will be given serious consideration both by distributors and producers. Protective tariffs, high duties and competition from native producers all have made in- roads into the foreign revenue. The result is that several companies now realize that only the most capable salesmen and executives can con- tinue to realize the maximum return from foreign accounts. And the idea that revenue in the -foreign field can be obtained by haphazard planning is being swept aside. N. S. Wales Exhibs Blame Shortage Of Quality Pictures from Hollywood For Boxoffice Collapse Down Under Eckman Back to London . Sam Eckman, Jr., Metro's manager in Great Britain, sails for London Saturday. (1),- after having been in U. S. for more than a month. He has been huddling with homeoffice officials and Arthur Loew, Metro's foreign chief, in N. Y. for the last two weeks. Previous to that he had been on the Coast N. Bernard Freeman, Australian manager for M-G, comes to N. Y. from Hollywood next week. He ar- rived . from Sydney about a week ago. RYDGE BUYS METRO PIX FOR AUSSIE STRING Hollywood, March 28. Norman B. Rydge,"head of Greater Union Theatres in Australia, closed a deal with Metro toi studio's output for his subsequent run houses in Sydney and is mulling deals with other major distributors to supply all his houses. Rydge and his American repre- sentative, Capt Harold Auten, ar- rived in New York this week for further shopping. Sherek Hasn't Cronin Flay. London, March 28. . Denial has been here by Heath Sc Co., London literary agents for A. J. Cronin, that the author's first play has been acquired for production by Henry Sherek. Italian Distrib. I Proposals Hint Settlement Near Meeting of foreign managers at the Hays office last week wad to listen to the suggestion ot Columbia Pic- tures on Italian distribution. Under- stood that this - film company had some new proposition from Italy's governmental picture monopoly. Al- though Columbia sought to get per- mission to withdraw from the pact of eight major companies, other foreign represoitatives persuaded them that a continuance of united industry front now was the best course. Arthur W. Kelly, United Artists foreign chief, back from Europe last niursday (23), revealed that an Ital- ian representative had offered a new play to him in Paris covering distri- bution in Italy. Industry spokesmen familiar with wordage of this new proposal stated that it differed little from other plans suggested over the last four weeks. Basically, it con- tained the same drawback other Italo pacts have—4t pemoltted the Italian film monopoly to set terms under which U. S. distributors could do business. This naturally reverted back to the old flat rental idea which they have proposed all along. However, there wora signs that the log-jam on the Italian situation might be broken, since both Italian and American interests appeared anxious to do business. Main catch Is that U. S. distribs don't want to return to Italian distribution -on terms fixed by a government agency. GOV'T GROUP TO PASS ON ALL MAGYAR PROD. Budapest, March 17. National Film Council, consisting of delegates of three ministries and presided over by a delegate of the prime minister's staff, is henceforth to pass on ail details of Hungarian production before a film starts. Rea- son is 'to insure high artistics stand- ard of Hungarian pictures and to make sure tliat they represent the proper national spirit.' Another decree enables the Minis- ter of Interior to i:evise exhibitors' licenses and to withdraw such li- censes at any time, without motiva- tion. 'Mice' Now OK in London London, March 28. After persistent refusal of the censor to license .ilice and Men,' Ciaire Luce, who had-a leading rol6 in the John Steinbeck play in New York, will present the drama at the Gate- theatre here. The Gate is privately-owned. Sydney, March 6. Shortage of quality pictures from Hollywood has been blamed partic- ularly by major exhibs here for the boxoffice collapse ot late in Aus- tralia. While the record heat .has also been a factor in the b.o. de- cline, exhibs claim potential b.o. is nearly always satisfied - despite tm- mitigatlng circumstances. Charles Munro, director of Hoyts, has pointed out that many houses have been forced to continue pic- tures at a loss because suitable prod- uct to follow was unavailable: .Connteract lag . Various ideas have been intro- duced to bolster biz. Stage presenta- tions and top vaude acts have been tried in place -of we'akies and still, if the picture was not what the pub- lic wanted, they stayed away. Munro stressed that it's pretty hard nowa- days to judge just what the public wanted in the way of picture enter- tainment Columbia's 'You Can't Take It With You.' Mimro stated, was an in- stance. Picture started well here but took a suddeh ■ dive and scrambled through tour weeks, then skidded further on second-release at an uptown house. Munro next in- stanced 'Cowboy and Lady' (U^). which was expected to secure a good -run, but skidded after two weeks. Hoyts brought in Allan Doone, one of the most 'popular actors ever to play here, to support 'A Man to Re- member' (RKO). Result: poor. biz. Cycles Also Hart Munro, in line with general repre- sentative exhibitor . opinion, also thinks too many pictures run in cycles. This ' was noticed with comedies that approached slapstick, which flowed here for months. Such early pictures copped a take biit the rest slithered by the wayside. Sam Snider, of Snider-Dean, states that biz might be br6ught back if the industry as a whole went in tor co- ordination and forgot about legisla- tion. (Ed Note: By legUlation' it's assumed Snider means laws restrict- ing American distributors.) Snider rapped distribs for allowing pictures to hit the nabes within a short time after city runs. Said public was be- ing over-catered to and instanced one nabe show playing as a dual 'Alexandv' (20th) and 'Girl of Gulden West' (M-G), both of which were b.o. in America, particularly the former. Foreign departments of major companies in New York claim that there has been no withholding of strong product and that the pictures Australia has been getting simply comprise the lineup available for release. This was in answer to com- plaints of New South Wales exhibi- tors that American pictures released there, of late have been unsatisfac- tory. France Eyes U. S. Tie ' Doe to Nazi Push; Tax Vs. Distribs Seen Out Seriousness of the situation In central Europe is looked on in New York trade circles as possibly chich- ing the elimination of proposed dis- criminatory- taxes and other meas- ures against U, S. film distribution in France. American picture officials for sev- eral weeks have felt that any meas- ure singling out U. S. distributors would t>e defeated unless the French government sought to ignore the pos- sibility of. dissolving the present trade ' treaty between the two na- tions. This is hardly likely now, - American companies ' hold, since France is anxious to maintain amicable relations with the U. S. because of Germany's latest im- perialistic push.