Variety (Apr 1939)

TABIBXW MHDOS OFFICE ■ St. Ua*tln'» -XUon Xralalsu 6«aai« INTERNATIONAL NEWS Cable Addmut WABOETt, UNDOM Teleplione Temple Bar SMl-se<C IS African Consolidated, 20th in Battle Over So. African Distrib of UA Fdms Cape Town, March 17. South Africa's film Industry en- visions a battle of giants in the im- pending struggle for business be- tween African Consolidated Theatres and 20th-Fox. ACT has stated it has signatured pacts for United Artists product Previously 20th-Fox had announced it would handle all UA product in this country. Otto W. BoUe, South African di- rector for 20th-Fox, claims his com- pany has the contract and can prove it. On the other hand, ACT claims a contract was signed In New York giving It UA pictures. ACT says its contract with UA covers TJrums,' 'Divorce of Lady X,' 'Over the Moon,' 'Algiers,' 'South Riding,' 'Stand-In' and 'Blockade.' The N. Y. Slant Reaction in New York to the cur- rent dispute between ACT and UA In So. Africa is that this Is another Btep iA the attempt of an American company to crash Into the South African territory for years dominated by African Consolidated Theatres (Schlesinger). Metro started the ball rolling several years ago by opening a theatre In the Union of South Africa. However, . latter has not pushed building activity of late and has no offices in that country. Com- pany has deals to spot its product into Consolidated theatres. Presently, 20th-Fox Is planning to open one or more theatees- in that sector. Last word in N. Y. was that UA might distribute through 20th- Fox. It sells to ACT on picture-to- picture basis. Attitude of Paramount, RKO and Warner Bros, thus far ia tiiat they do not consider pioneering in South Africa, especially against the ve'teran Schlesinger interests, a profitable proposition. These three companies a year ago signatured three-year product deals in N. Y. with -Consol- idated whereby Schlesinger's circuit would buy their produpt ODEON-WB PRODUCT TALKS WITH UA'S OK London, April 4. Negotiations are reported proceed- ing between Oscar Deutsch, head of Odeon Theatres here, and Warners for Deutsch to book the WB product over the Odeon chain. Deal is believed a remedy for Deutsch's product shortage and car- ries the absolute approval of United Artists, partner with Deutsch in the theatre chain. Current London Phys CWith Dates When Opened) 'Me and My Girl,' Victoria Palace —Dec. 18, '37. ^ 'Room for Two,' Comedy—Sept. 6, %S. 'Dear Octopus,' Queens—Sept 14, ■38. _ The Corn- is Green,' Duchess — Sept 20, '38. ^^•(^u^iet Wedding,' Wyndham's—Oct '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, »8. 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- Jen. 28, '39. •Gas Light,' Apollo—Jan. 31, '39. Trench Without Tears,' Piccadilly —Feb. 5, '39. 'Little Ladyship,' Lyric—Feb. 7, "The Mother,' Garrick—March 3, 39. 'Robert's Wife,' Savoy—March 6, 39. ■ 'Black and Blue,' Hippodrome- March 8, '39. 'Gate Revue,' Ambassadors — March 9, '30. 'Sugar Plum,' Criterion—March 15, '39. 'Mrs. Van Kleek,' Playhouse — March 17, '39. „'Dracula,' Winter Garden—March 20j '39. Johnson Over Jordan' Savllle— March 21, '39. 'Family Reunion,' Westminster — March 21. '39. ^The Man in HaU Moon Street,' New—March 22. .'39. •Dancing Years,' Drury Lane — March 23, "39. 'Heaven and Charing Cross,' St Martin's—March 29, '38. DISTRIB, EXHIB GROUPS SEEK INDIE TELEVISION London, April 4. Kinematograph Renters Society, representing all major distributors, and Kinematograph Exhibitors Assn., are to go jointly to the postmaster general with demand to allow com- mercial television to operate inde- pendently of the British Broadcast- ing Corp. Plea is backed by major electrical interests and based on as- sumption rapid Increase of home vislo wUl hit theatres to tune of $60,000,000 annually. Sponsored television for theatre use only Is held to be the only sal- vation and would enable industry to offset BBC home service. Post office, acting for the government, has final say on all broadcasting problems in Great Britain. BIG QUOTA HIKE IN ENGLAND VETOED Tb* Britl^ Parliament recently turned down the request tot a ma- terially Increased quota percentage on foreign films (largely U. S.) be- fore April 1 when the scheduled in- crease automatically went into ef- fect, it was revealed in New York this week. Quota for second year of BritUh Act is 20%, instead of 15% wlilch ran the first 12 months. Odd- ly enou^ the request lor a larger percentage, in hopes of increasing production in 'England, was even turned down by labor reps In Par- liament ■The new quota percentage repre- sents an Increase of 17 single credit features for the eight major Ameri- can companies as a requirement for distributing in Great Britain. This means about $1,275,000 more will be paid for British quotacredit films in the next 12 months by American companies than In the year just ended. Based on an estimate that U. S. companies would distribute 350 fea- tures in Great Britain in the next 12 months, this means 70 singlecredlt quota films or double or triple credit equivalents must be produced in Eng- land within a year or that percentage of British-made films must be pur- chased by U. S. companies for dis- tribution outside of England. Single- credit quota pictures totalled about 53 for major companies in the first year of the act. If any increase In the percentage is made between now and next April it will have to be recommended first by the FUm Council and then ap- proved by Parliament. French Fibn Shortage Closes 5th N. Y. Arty Dearth of product forced another foreign language theatre in New York to shutter, making four that currently are dark. Threat of a lack of quality French productions was forecast six or eight months ago, it being related then that both foreign- language exhibitors and distributors feared such a situation would develop early in 1939. Filmarte, which has housed a majority of long-run French screen hits in the last three years, closed April 2. This makes the Squire, .Belmont, Continental and Cinema 49 dark, with only the Little Carnegie currently playing a first- run French film. 'Grand Illusion' only a couple of weeks ago finished a record run at the Filmarte but two different French-made features shown In the last two weeks failed to mean much at the boxoffice. Filmarte manage- ment plans to reopen as soon as product can be obtained. Unless available before May, house may not reopen until fall because it.jseldom runs during the summer. Situation for arty houses present- ly is further complicated by the fact that, there is virtually no indepen- dent British-made film available for successful runs. The Payoff Lohdon„ March 27. < If there's a cycle of jungle pictures in America credit Hit- lerl When Arthur W. Kelly, United Artists v.-p. in charge of foreign operations was here re- cently, he told the press boys the only way U.S. dlstrlbs can get their coin out of Germany Ui to buy some freak commodity, such as a rhino or an elephant, ship it, either for use at the studio, or for sale to recover the cost One rhino, in fact, had recent- ly been shipped, and UA, to clear another debt, recently took a cargo of Nazi harmonicas. HUDDLES IN N.Y. SETONANZAC LEGISLATION American industry executives are expected to huddle shortly on the Australian situation as it affects its distribution, especially in New South Wales. Discussions probably will await the arrival of Harry Hunter, Paramount's Aussie manager; Dan Carroll, manager of Par's showcase to Sydney, the Prince Edward; and Charles Munro, head of Hoyts' cir- cuit They are due to New York about April 17. Clay Hake, 20th-Fox manager, al- ready Is to N. Y. and N. Bernard Freeman, Metro's manager, is due to N. Y. this week. Ralph Clark, War- ner Bros.' Australian manager, who has been to the U. S. for more than a month, may remain over for the confabs. Norman B. Rydge, chair- man of Greater Union Theatres, also is to N. Y^, but here prhnarlly to secure product for his circuit. The 25% rejection right voted by the New South Wales government to its exhibitors, along with other legislation passed there against American distribs, is expected to be discussed. Wm. Rowland's Spanishers For RKO at $50,000 Each William Rowland is back from Mexico City with a prtot of 'Perfida,' Spanish-talker he turned out for RKO. He will make another for RKO to Mexico City under his deal calltog for three Spanish features. First was made at the Eastern Ser- vice studios, Astoria, L. I., which ran a reported $50,000 to cost In maktog the second, Rowland figured he could brtog it in cheaper in Mexico, but due to delay caused by union troubles, net nick of 'Per- fida' also ran to $50,000. More Magyar Shows London, April 4. The Hungarian State Ballet, spon- sored by the Hungarian government, opens at the Adelphi here at the end of the month for four to six weeks. The Monte %arIo Ballet follows at the Adelphi, if His Majesty's is un- available, which would indicate that 'Magyar Melody,' musical presently at the latter, will either move or close by then. Compulsory \S% N.S.W. Exhibition Of Anglo Product May Be Extended To All Aussie; See Reciprocal Pact NK tanny; but LONDON OK'SmW London, April 4. Despite a cast headed by Lucie Mannheim and Frederick Leister, 'Lady Fanny,' a musical farce based on the old Jerome K. Jerome com- edy, "Lady Fanny and the Servant Problem,' proved a poor entry in its debut at the Duke of York's last week (2S). It folded Saturday (1). 'Heaven and Charing Cross,' by Aubrey Danyers-Walker, a new- comer to London dramatist circles, was well acted and equally well re- ceived to its West End debut Wed- nesday night (20) at St Martto's. A somewhat sordid cockney melo- drama, it has a reasonable chance of clicking, Mary Clare has the lead part. AUSSIE FILM TOPS FORM COUNCIL Sydney, April 4. Film Exhibitors Council of Aus- tralia was formed here yesterday (Monday) with circuit officials pre- dominating the membership. Council replaces the Film Board of- Trade arrangement Besides offering to assist the Films Commission to New South Wales, it has expressed wlU- togness to play ball with American distributors. Idea of the council is to coordinate the todustry on a national scale. . Charles Munro, of Hoyts circuit;. Norman B. Rydge, of Greater Union Theatres circuit; Sam Snider, of Snider-Dean circuit; Dan Carroll, of the Birch-Carroll-Coyle chato and manager of the Prtoce Edward the- atre, Sydney, Paramoimt's showcase, and two representatives of the Mo- tion Picture Exhibitors Assoc., make up the Film Exhibitors Council. The Film Board of Trade idea was not a success in Australia, decision to wash up its affairs having been made more than a month ago. Only one of four circuit men named to the Australian Council, Sam Snider, is to Australia at pres- ent Norman B. Rydge is to New York on product deals while Charles Munro and Dan Carroll are on their way to the U. S. from Sydney. Ethel Levey Divorced liOndon, April 4. Ethel Levey, former wife of George M. Cohan and a former mu- sical comedy star, was granted a di- vorce from Claude Graham White here last week. It was her second marriage. Yankee Distribs Gain Major Point With Nix of Dual Exit in French Bills Paris, April 4. The most objectionable feature to U. S. distributors in the 'Statut du Cinema,' which would have elimi- nated double features in France, has been discarded with the presentation of the bill to the Chamber of Depu- ties. Clause limiting programs to 3,200 meters, If approved, would have hit American companies bard since their features have been pre- dominantly used as the second fea- ture on French dual programs. The limitation of the programs via the bill would have been made since an average French feature runs about 2,500 meters and the rest of the bill would have required shorts to fill. The international crisis has de- layed tabling of the bill. It is now Sydney, March 15. The 15% compulsory exhibition of British product is reported ready to become effective shortly in New South Wales. It's understood that the British Board of Trade is now favorably inclined towards allowing Australian pictures into British ter- ritory to return for the 15% com- pulsory, screentog of British pictures throughout New South Wales. The British authorities would prefer the act to become a federal meastire, thereby swinging the 15% coverage all over, the Common- wealth Instead of confining it solely to N. S. Wales. It's sai'd, however, the federal government would rather see how the plan works out in a stogie state before extending it under federal operation. British producers are urging the Board of Trade to agree to recipro- cal tradtog to order that their prod- uct will ultimately find an avenue of release in N. S. Wales instead of re- maining in the vaults. Hoyts, the biggest picture theatre operators In Australia, recently made a deal to play the Charles Laughton-Eric Pommer pictures over its chato. It is a long time since Hoyts spotted a British picture into any of Its ace houses. The deal was made by Charles Munro solely on the quality of the product offered, it's stated. Rydge's Realignment Of U. S. Film Product For Aussie Houses Realignment of major product to Australia looms this month as a re- sult of Norman . B. Rydge's recent visit to the U. S. Although he has been to New York City little more than a week, several major com- panies were reported as looking fa- vorably on what his Greater Union Theatres circuit to that country has to offer. That chain' numbers 45 de- luxers to Aussie. Rydge had only deals with Repub- lic, Monogram, Universal and cer- tain pictures from Paramount and Metro. Latter two majors needed much of their ace product for their own theatres in Australia. How- ever, reports persist that Par's thea- tre operating deal for the Prince Edward, Sydney, may be changed so as to leave Paramount free to sell either to Greater Union or Hoyt's chato. Rydge came out last week against the 26% rejection clause given New South Wales exhibitors through law, and is also opposed to forctog Amer- ican companies to produce in Aus- tralia, feeling that this should be left to local producers down under. Hicks on Czecho, Italo And Gen'l Int'l Fix Biz problematical when the Chamber will be asked to vote on It American company reps, how- ever, are still working with ex- hibitors against other provisions of i the bill, and have enlisted the aid of certain French distributors who became peeved because they were not consulted about the statute. United States officials here con- tinue to maintain the measure is a direct violation of the trade treaty between France anc( the U. S. Treaty says: "The French government will take no new measures which would have the effect of placing American films In a position, in comparison with French films, or those of any other foreign country, less favocable than that which they now enjoy.' The bill now is framed to hit American companies on the dubbing tax and possibly application of re- strictions on U. 8. imports. John W. Hicks, Jr,^ foreign head of Paramount Pictures, who came to from London (30), views the flhn sit- uation to Czechoslovakia pesshnis- tically. Situation is same as when Germany took over Austria last year; sales branches there as well as to Prague will become part of the Ber- lin exchange. There has been no change in the Italian situation, according to Hicte, who does not believe anything has happened to cliange the Italian gov- ernment's stand. Fred Lange, Para- mount representative in Europe, is now to Rome to look the field over and to assist in liquidating the com- pany's offices to lUly should there be no change from complete with- drawal effective first of year. Hicks has also sent a sales repre- sentative to Spato to appraise the sltuatioh there for full resumption of Paramount distribution to that country. Before leaving for America, Hicks arranged for Par production of a Swedish picture for the Scandina- vian market and two French pictures to be made to France, not designed for American distribution. Hicks revealed that Adolph Zukor will sail for New York on April 15, but was in the dark regarding any proposed trip to Australia which Zukor was reported scheduled to make with Hicks.