Variety (Apr 1939)

0t. HartlB's FIm*. TntBlcsr BqoM* INTERNATIONAL CaM* Addrmt VABIETT, MNDON TalepboM Temple Bar MMl-IMMK 19 U. S. COS. IN FOREIGN DRIVE India Expanding Fdm Biz, Sending Agent to Ifwood; Siam's Prod. Upbeat Washington, April 11. Buildup for India's motion picture Industry will Include the dispatch- ing ot a British representative to Hollywood to study American meth- ods, according to a report from the American Consulate at Bombay to the Dept. of Commerc*. A new motion picture financing company has been set up in India, Department was Informed, with an ambitious program for financing and servicing the film industry of India. Outfit—the Cine Finance Banking Corp. of India, Ltd.—will investigate American technical cooperation in connection with its projet .s and-will seek to organize independent com- panies to handle Industry problems of production, distribution, piublicity, equipment purposes, etc. No direct competition with existing companies Is planned, report stated. Cine Finance Corp. has an au- thorized capital of (:,4d'<,000, it was revealed. In a breakdown of India's, film Industry, the following figures were cited: Gross income of the industry in 1938 amounted to $31,320,000. Indian empire has 996 picture theatres, 500 touring cinemas, 75 film companies producing 200 features annually, and 253 distributors handling Indian and Imported pix. Increasing production of motion pictures in Siam reported last week to the Department of Commerce. Four Siamese producers and one Chinese producer will release from IS to 17 films this year, including at least nine sound films with Siamese dialog and several short news films, American Consulate slated. Six Chinese films wUl also be produced. Precedent Hamlet' Sponsored Copenhagen, April 11. John Gielgud, who has played Hamlef in Iiondon and New York, Vill revive the character of the Mel- ancholy Dane here this siammer at Elsinore Castle, where Shakespeare laid the play's setting. Gielgud is being sponsored by a Danish tourist association. Mexico City, April 11. Nationalization of cinemas has made a successful start in.Cvier- navaca, capital of Morelos state, near here. The Teatro Morelos was recently taken over by the state government and made into a first-class cinema, playing top American pictures at pop prices. House's profits largely support the state's primary schools.. . This is the'first time an enter- tainment place has been nation- alized in Mexico. Current London Phys (With Dates When Opened) "Me and My GirV Victoria Palace —^Dec. 16, '37. 'Room for Two,' Comedy—Sept. 6, '3B. 'Dear Octopus,' Queens—Sept 14, •38. The Corn Is Green,' Duchess — Sept 20, '3B. ^^^^let Wedding,' Wyndham's—Oct 'Goodness, How Sad,' Vaudeville— Oct 18, '38. •Geneva.* St James—Nov. 22, "38. •Under Your Hat," 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' '39 •Gas Light' Apollo—Jan. 31, '39. ■French Without Tears,' Piccadilly "—Feb 5 '39 _ •Little Ladyship,' Lyric—Feb. 7, •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 9, '39. 'Sugar Plum,' Criterion-March .15.'39. .. .. •Mi-s, Van Kleefc,' Playhouse — March 17. '39. 'Dracula,' Winter Garden—March 20. '39. •Johnson Over Jordan' • Saville— March 21, '39. , 'Family Reunion,' Westminster — March 21. '39. , The Man in Half Moon Street;' New—March 22. "39. , 'Dancing Years,' Drury Lane — March 23, '39. , 'Heaven and Charing Cross,' SI. Martin's—March 29, '38. HIGH COSTS HIT PRODUCTION IN MEXICO Mexico City, April 11. Soaring costs constitute one of the most serious problems for Mexican film producers. One picture will be so elaborate that it is figured It will cost $60,000, a new Mexican high. Only a couple of years ago, a 'big' film could be made for as little as $20,000. That wais all that the best of Mexican pictures, 'Alia en el Rancho Grande' ('Way Down on the Rancho Grande') cost Picture re- turned a net profit of $400,000, con- siderably ahead of any other Mexi- can-made. An out Is seen In the practice of some producers who have working arrangements with American firms. Combo enables the Mexicans to be. sure of decent money for their pic- tures, and the Americans of making top Spanish languagers much cheap- er than is possible for them back home. Mexican picture producers and distributors have organized a na- tional chamber here for the purpose of protecting the industry's rights and advancing the cause of domestic production, Manuel Rivera is prez. Rome-Berlin Film Penetration Into Argentine a Fliv Washington, April 11. Efforts of Germany and Italy to compete with American motion pic- tures in the Argentine market pre- sented a woeful picture in a report from the office of the American Commercial Attache at Buenos Aires to the Dept of Commerce. Despite increased sales^ efforts on the part of , both countries, only one film was imported from Nazi-land during the first two months of 1939 as compared with four, in the coiTe- sponding period of 1938. No ItaUdn- made features at all this year, though one film: made the grade during the early part of 1938. It's the -opinion of 'local trade circles' that Argen- tinians are not likely to become Ger- manyrltaly film customers. U. S. accounted for 35 out of 52 Aims released in Argentina during the same period; five short of last year's January-March record of 40 out of 52, but no danger ot Ameri- can pix being supplanted by those of other countries. Par Quits Rnmama Paramount has shuttered its of- fice in .Bucharest Rumania. The Bucharest office handled the entire country's distribiftion of Par product Action was taljen as a precaution- ary measure. American companies have found It increasingly difficult to get rental money out of the country. SEEK TO REGAIN ONCE Bie EIELD Many Obstacles Loom in Their Paths, Chiefly Fa- cist Influence—Survey of Film Markets Indicates There's Plenty Yet to Be Developed EASY MONEY GONE The foreign field, which once com- pared favorably with the domestic market is about to become the tar- get for a renewed drive by American companies to recapture their, once gigantic source ot revenue. In the path of Yankee firms lie seemingly insurmountable obstacles that primarily caused the decline. Most important of all, the spread of the fascist influence against world democracies, is seen as the prime surging force behind the letdown. The U. S., as the principal exponent of democracy, and as filmdom's lead- er, has naturally suffered the great- est blow. While alarmed at the spread of fas- cism in the form of Germanic and Italian restrictions, and the im- perialistic urge of Hitler, trade execs have been led to believe that there's still considerable t^ be. gained from the world market A particularly sweeping force against American pictures of late was the Nazi annexation of Austria and Czechoslovakia, markets once for Yankee film but now following the dictates and, consequently, the cor- responding Nazi restrictions against American companies. Admittedly, the so-called easy markets no longer exist But a sur- vey of theatres equipped for sound is the real tipoff on future poten- tialities in fields alien to those where American films are practically ver- boten. Develop New Fields Banking and financial Interests behind American films believe there should be more concentration on countries where there are potentiali- ties and not where grosses have been slipping. They stress the importance of building .the market In Great Britain and its dominions. .Their opinion fs that there still is a big market In South America, too, that remains to be developed. There are more sound-equipped theatres outside North America than i.-i U. S.,' Canada and Mexico com- bined. Even eliminating Russia, with its 8,000 or more houses, Germany and the former Czech territory, with nearly as many, and other regions, including Italy (where U. S. is tem- porarily, at least, not distributing), the total is considerably greater than that of North America. The big rub currently is that native product has superseded American pictures in popularity with some nations, while restrictions have hiirt in others. Soviet Total Loss The vast Russian market is a total loss to the U. S. Theatres there are workers' clubs with propaganda films only allowed. Deals with the government film agency in the Soviet are strictly on bulk basis, and Amer- ican companies do not want flat- rental business to be dictated by a government agency. U. S. com- panies are out of Italy presently, where there are about 3,800 sound theatres, for the same reason. The association of the communist Soviet and fascist Italy and Germany in similar tactics is one of the indus- try's anomalies. Need for keeping the full strength of the Australian market is appreci- ated by American companies. Al- thou.'ih there are only about 1,400 sound-equipped theatres Down Un- der. Aussie audiences appreciate U. S. pastures even in preference to British-makes. Temporarily, at least,. Improved French product has forced American pictures virtually to play second fiddle in some spots in France where formerly they were "No. 1. French U. S. Distribs Nix Increased Rates As Retaliation Vs. Australian Curbs Too Hot to Handle •King of Alcatraz,' Paramount has been banned by Jamaica, B. W. I„ according to word re- ceived in New York by Par. Gangster theme was given as reason for its rejection. Purpose of the ban, which In- clude all 'films dealing' with gangsters, is to. discourage all suggestions of violence, since the island experienced a native up- rising recently. CZECH GRAB UPS DECLINING BIZ IN HUNGARY Budapest, April 1. Profits of local product have gone back considerably of late. Compared to 1937. the b.o. on locally-mades have suffered a reduction' of about 30%. It is believed that one-third of this reduction of profit will be covered by bigger takings in the northern provinces recently recovered from what was part ot Czechoslovakia. No Hungarian pictures were allowed in this territory while It was under Czech rule. To cover much of the loss, and to make up for withdrawal of Jewish capital, a tax of one filler (one-fifth of a cent) on each film ticket sold Is planned. The amount thus gained, 400.000 perigoes (about $79,000) a year, would constitute a deficit fund, out of which a loan of 10,000 pengoes (about $2,000) would be accorded to the producers of every Hungarian picture. This loan would only need to be repaid in case the picture pays its way. No producer could receive such a loan more than twice. Law Conflict Basis Of Mgrs/ Fight Vs. ^ Sunday Play Yisio London, April 3. Theatre-owners intend to crack down on BBC's television drama pol- icy. BBC's looksee programs these days are heavily loaded with stage plays, and what gets the goat of the legiters is that drama is permitted on the air Sundays when theatres are under ordinance to stay dark— except where monkey-suit concerts or private shows are staged. First to rebel is Alec Rea, who has banned proposed, vlslo show of 'The Man In Halt Moon Street' which had been pencilled for tlie air Easter Sunday, with its actual New theatre cast doing Its stuff at Alexandra Pal- ace. product is sufficiently strong today also to hurt some in Turkey and also form strong competition in Belgiimi and in soma sections of South America. While Germany has extended Its domination over Czechoslovakia and Austria, and has suffered accordingly, U. S. companies have gained in Switzerland and Alsace-Lorraine, where German product formerly of- fered stiff competition. Decline in Teutonic film quality had produced the latter situation. End of warfare in Spain also offers a new market for American dis-. tributors because U. S. pictures had done well In that territory prior to the conflict. This Is predicated on present realization that the Franco government has no Idea of cutting off. strong sources of revenue, such as the U. S., Great Britain and France. Sydney, April 11. Legislation passed early this year in New South Wales won't go un- challenged by American distributors, it has been reported here. American distribs are pai;ticularly anxious to snag the 25% rejection right given exhibitors in N. South Wales. One way suggested would be to raise film rentals but this method lis reported to be .unfavorably consid-' ered by most of the major American companies. Distributor reps will, huddle soon in "New York to declda the matter,. Few foreign department officials In New York agree that higher rentals will in any way solve the 25% rejec- tion right problem in New SouUi Wales. Almost unanimous opinion ia that there will b« no tilting of film rentals in that AUssIe state as a nism- ber of retaliation. What is mora likely, however, is that less product will be shipped to New South Wales if the 25% rule Is observed. Norman B. Rydge, chairman of Australia's Greater Union Theatres, now in New York, is said to be op-' posed to such rejection rights. Thus far, Hoyts is reported to be the only circuit heavily Interested in the 25% rejection right because at present it's . signed with several U. S. majors for ace product and, obviously, tha chain is loaded with films. Recent reports fromi Sydney indicate that Hoyts is having difficulty using up product even in the use of triple fea- tures. The rejection right i)ermits acceptance of only 75% of films dis- tributed by American firms despita contractual obligations. YANK PIX OFF IN STOCKHOLM Stockholm, April 2. American films' here have shown a marked decline in playing time of late, with Swedish, French and Brit- ish films dominating the field. Of the Yank picture, 'Marie Antoi- nette' (M-G), 'Sweethearts' (M-G) and 'You Can't Take It With You* (Col) have held up weU. Expansion of the industry here, particularly in the construction of new producing units, have been par- ticularly responsible for the boxoffica upbeat of Swedish films, which hava Improved proportionately with tha expansion. DISMAL OUTLOOK FOR BRITKH PRODUCnON Extensive production in Great Britain looks extremely dismal in tha immediate future, according. to re- ports from London. Two weeks ago there were only five features at work there, although 80 stages wera available. English producers feel the new British quota Is a failure as far as production is concerned. It Is re- ported. The industry's binding re- strictions, laid down by the Quota, are said to be the cause of the lag in production. 'Mayerliiig,' 'Citadel' Big in South Africa / . Cape Town, March 24, •Mayerllng' has registered big busi- ness at the Colosseum (African Cons. Theatres) here. Public keen on fur- ther French pictures in Cape Town; The CltttaeV tbo. "Has "pulled ca- pacity at the Plaza (Union Theatres). 'Citadel' OS In Cairo Cairo, March 28. The Citadel' (M-G) is skidding here. 'Gunga Din' and That Certain Atc' starring Deanna Durbin, who's a h-'i; favorite here, are going over welL