Variety (Jul 1939)

12 'TARIETlT'S' rONnON OFFICB - St. Mkrtln'a Pliic«, TrBfnlcar SqDor* mTERNATIONAIr FILM NEWS Cabia AddrMit VARIETT, MNDON Telephone Temple Har B041-M4Z 'Nazi Captive/ lamlock' Figure In British Censorship Showdown London, July 14. Censorship here is about to face Its biggest test as outcome of action by London County Council over the 'Professor Mamlock' film. Picture was nix«d by British Board of Film Censors, chief of which is the po- litically-minded Lord Tyrrell, but same body later okayed 'Confessions of a Nazi "Spy* (WB), which was precisely similar in ideological out- look. 'Mamlock' was subsequently, submitted to L.C.C. for its over- riding approval, but that was before 'Nazi Spy" came Into the country, and L.C.C. only ei^dorsed the Cen- sor's view. Now that 'Nazi Spy* is running at the Warner theatre, and incidentally ■ is to embark on a concurrent pre- release at the Regal, pressure is be- ing put on L.C.C, as licensing au- thority for the whole Metropolis, to reverse its judgment on 'Mamlock' and permit its playing without a Censor certificate. Local authorities are permitted by law to make their own decisions as to what films may be presented in their areas, and for convenience sake normally accept the verdict of the trade-sponsored B.B.F.C., although in law this body has no actual status. In recent years, tendency has been almost to give the board legal standing, by virtue of the. fact most licensing authori- ties voluntarily bind themselves to respect its verdicts. This time, though, L.CC. is kick- ing. The county council is Socialist- controlled, so obviously it is not in direct sympathy with the Censor's barring of a picture either because It is anti-Nazi, or because it is of Soviet origin. They threw down •Mamlock' just the same, but only because its playing might provoke political disorders—a belief proved wrong by the subsequent orderly reception of 'Nazi Spy.' But they are equally unwilling to be domi- nesred by a censor between whose political outlook and their own there Is a tremendous gulf; hence the situ- ation now arising. 'Nother AnU-Nazl Film L.C.C. still has to decide whether It will'let 'Mamlock' by, while there Is also another quickie, 'I Was a CapttVff" of 'Nnzl~Germany," yelling for an okay. Its licensing authority is therefore to take a gander at both this latter and 'Mamlock' and then decide a policy common to all three, because all express a common atti- tude. Meaning,, that in the event they still hold back on 'Mamlock' and 'Captive,' they will also rule 'Nazi Spy' off the screen and bar ft from any furtheryplaying in the London area. In plain English, the L.C.C. Is sayln» to the Censor: 'If you want tis to back you up by observing your decisions on all pictures, you must be consistent and either allow in all such as de;il with any given sublect. or bar the lot.' Trade has been fldgetting a long time under what seems to be gov- ernment influence behind activities of the B.B.F.C. Lord Tyrrell was formerly a diolomat, and it Is freely whispered that many of the de- cisions he endorses are swayed by political motives, as instanced by the manner in which such material as March of Time has been brutally hacked and shorn of its incisive treatment of political issues, and by the crazy barring of a three-minute Peace trailer a few years back. Only thing that has held the Indus- try from revoltin? against the re- strictions of th.;s Frankenstein of Its own creation Is fear that'abolition of a trade controlled censorship would bring government interven- tion. L.C.C. action will accordingly get some suoport from the industry, though of a guarded nature, because picture business does not intend to be made the buffer in strife between the licensing authority and the cen- sor. Obviously Warners and First National would ,haye a squawk If their film were ptilled out, not be- cause of its own demeriL<;, but on account of a tactical battle between " two outside bodies, and they would get support from every other dlsr tributor. Situation may wcrk Itself out, as L.C.C. may okay both "Mamlock and 'Captive' in the same way It has per- mitted unnerliflcated pictures to be snown In the oast There's a chance, at the same time, it may deliberately force the Censor's hand and bring- ing about a showdown of the whole ' censorship setup. REISMAN, MORRIS SAIL FOR RKO, WB S.A. SALE Phil Relsman, foreign head of RKO Radio Pictures, sails for South America Friday (28) to launch two sales conventions in the Latin Amer- ican territory. First sales gathering will be held'in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 18, with Bruno Chelli presiding and the second in Buenos Aires, Aug. 31, with Nat Liebeskind, South American manager in charge. Sales forces from 10 Brazilian offices will gather in Rio to discuss plans, while Liebeskind wiU bring iii the Chilian organization headed by George KoU- man, for the B.A. meet Sam E. Morris, Warner foreign chief, is also sailing for Rio Friday on the same boat with Reisman. Mor- ris is also scheduling WB sales con- ventions in Rio and B.A. Liebeskind leaves N.Y. on Aug. 4. French M. P. Co. Reors Federal Judge William Bondy has set July 27 as a date for hearing the conflrmation of the plan of reorgan- ization of French Motion Picture Coip. The company filed a volun- tary petition in N. Y. on Feb. 19, 1938, listing liabilities ot $21,571. it dealt in foreign Alms. The plan proposes to pay all salary, claims which total $885; and $136 to the U. S. government and N. Y. City, for taxes. General unsecured creditors will receive 15% in cash in full settle- ment of their claims. Some $5,000 will be borrowed from Albert Lie- berman of Philadelphia for this. (Continued from page 3) AUSSIE STALLS PIC FINANCING ^ Sydney, July 14. ~ Home producers are irked at the slowness of the New South Wales government in granting promised finance . to assist production plans. They claim that too much red-tape has to be surmounted in order to create a favorable impression with officials whose knowledge of the pro- duction game amounts to nothing. When U. S. distribs declined to enter the local production field on a quota layout, - and following many bitter huddles between the govern- ment and MPDA, Preinier Stevens announced that his Government was prepared to grant financial assistance to home producers of repute. The distribs were highly delighted about getting out of the quota mess so easily, and the producers, while ex- pecting the Government .to be more severe on the distribs, were satisfied to know that coin would be on tap to keep the production wheels in continuous motion. Minor producers, with dreams of expansion on taxpayers' coin, rushed in their applications without giving a thought io~S ■ regular production schedule.' Government officials, how- ever, nixed their applications, but have not okayed finance for the majors- who have been anxious to make a start on genuine lines. Sir Ben Fuller has lodged an ap- plication for monetary assistance to produce 'Seven Little Australians,' one of the most popular yarns ever written in these parts. _ Sir Ben has Arthur Collins, with years of Holly- wood experience, all set to direct the pic and is prepared to sink a pile of his own cash into this one. National also is said ipj)e waiting to go ahead with production on promised Gov- ernmental Diking. Aussie Wonld Make Own I*ics,\^ive(^nub to H'wood ollywood, July 25. American film producers have a battle on their hands to maintain their present supremacy down under, take it from George Fitzpatrick, managing director of the Australian Institute of Public Opinion. Aussie^ Industrialists, he declared, are bent on .producing their own pic- tures in'opposition to American and British .product. France Indicates Poor-Pics Rash; Duals Increasing Paris, July 17. French product this seasoh is way below par.-and considerably under last season's lineup of screen fea- tures. The weakness in product is beginning to sho\y up In cinemas of Paris, too, with double features, with both pictures sometimes being U. S. films that have been dubbed, on a big increase. Thealres which formerly played at least one French-made film on double bills, now are going for two Americans, either dubbed or retitled.' This is done despite the fact that the release, of original versions is re- stricted to a maximum of 15 theatres in this territory. Outside of a few pictures belong- ing to the -sordid cycle, which for a time created interest here, there have been virtually no films of great interest shown to the trade here. 'Loi du Nord' looms as a possibility, but it looks like slim pickings for American firms hoping to make coin by distributing French pictures (in the U.S.) during the next 12 months. Besides 'Snow White,' exhibitors tab 'Gunga Din' and a couple, of Shirley Temple films as biggest hits among American imports. Typical of the product situation for cinemas here is the Paramount, which recently played 'Vous Seule Que J'Aime.' This was followed by two American dubbed films. Strange part about present diffi- culties in getting sufficiently strong product is that more cinemas con- tinue to be built. Jacques Haik is erecting a new house opposite the Paramount, to be known as 'Le Francais.' Siritzky may book for this theatre. Magyar Anti-Seniitic Law Taking Effect; No Film Prodaction . Mr. Fitzpatrick's conclusion sounds more like wish fulfillment than actuality. Fact remains, U.- S. films are most popular in Aussie, as in almost every portion of the globe. Strike Shuts Theatres Mexico City, July 25. .Strike to enforce demands for a new contract has closed most of the cinemas in Sonora, northwestern U.S. border region state. Budapest, July 18. Jewish members of the orchestra of state, subsidized opera and Na- tional Theatre have been dismissed in consequence of the new. anti- Se'mltlc law. Although detailed instruction for execution of the law has not been issued yet, and time limit set for re- ducing quota of Jews in theatrical companies to 6% has not yet expired, managements were instructed to anticipate this and put rigid re- striction into effect at once. Among those dismissed are emi- nent artists and several who had been awarded life membership in the National Theatre. 'They continue to receive their pensions.' ■ Despite various promises of credit and other support, so far nothing has been done to set the stagnant machine of . local film production in motion again. Hungarian studios are dark and negotiations with the gov- ernment seem to be at a deadlock. A group of screen writers, plan- ning production on a cooperative basis after the manner of United Artists, has so far also failed to get going. also through having no theatres, would stand to benefit more than their larger competitors, "The ex' hibitor wouldn't care what the brand of the picture is, so long as the piC' I ture is good. By the same token the ' account would naturally be as willing I to pay $100 for a picture from MonO' gram that is worth that much, as one from Metro that is worth the same to him. The thing he isn't interested in is what the pictures cost their makers. Question the film buyer must de cide is whether open bidding might not Kite the prices too high on the big pictures, while the same bidding on the poorer ones may not be held low enough for. him to come out as good as he does now by gambling en bloc. Another thing the theatre operator must consider is whethrc he might not be forced to bid higher against a competitor than he wants, even on average or low-quality film, because both have to fill pleydates regularly or be left high and dry. Some exhibitors are vitally con- cerned over these angles. If successful with his pet statute, Neely would be responsible for cre- ating a condition where no com- pany would be stronger than its product. This very ground is said to have been seriously taken into consideration by one company this year which wa.s pondering a surprise move by voluntarily doing away with block-booking, rather than fight Neely or more directly, sub- scribe to the trade practices code. Such consideration was no (^oubt based on the. feeling that an analy- sis of the product being delivered, plus confidence in the studio, might mean even greater rental return than enjoyed under sales en bloc. Presumption in that case is be- lieved to have been that the top bracket pictures would bring more on open bidding, and that those in the next bracket, which must be de- livered at a lower percentage, could also command more money on the strength of their value. With a company where the lop-bracket pic- tures haven't panned out to expec- tations and the 'B' product has slipped, also, consideration of such a policy at this time could be cru- cial. One thing the distribs fear and protest is the investment up to $30,- 000,000 or more in production budgets without contracts on a year- ly basis in advance as a"safeguard against such large-scale planning. In many cases producers now have term deals and franchises which stand as a guarantee of playing time and rental return.' Incentive for Some Real Showmanship The Neeiy bill could mean many things, apart from how definitely it would place the burden of mer- chandise value on the manufac- turer, jit would take the selling of the film away from swivel chairs and force the distributor to exert the greatest effort in the direction of showmanship. With every pic- ture sold entirely on its merits, and with open bidding on all film, the distrib who went to sleep on the job would be the sufferer. The average film salesman, out In the field, who now goes around to see exhibitors, trying to get them to extend a playdate, pick up some picture that has been available to them for weeks, use more acces- sories, buy some reissues, etc., would then really come into his_own. He would be out selling to the ex- tent of his endurance and ability. Neely would also provide a field day for the publicity and advertising men ' who had anything in them. Their numbers would naturally in- crease and no doubt, in each ex- change zone, the distribs would have to maintain men to push each film. The theatres, bidding against each other on all product, also would have more use for advertising and publicity men. The theatre manager and the ex- hibitor would have to get out of his cubicle and try to be more of a, showman, wringing from the as- sorted collection of pictures he. is buying the utmost at the boxofflce. In many caSes the bidding might become so intense that where a booking is made at a high rental the factor of showmanship would count importantly. The exhlb or manager, also, would have to be on the'Job viewing all the pictures and be enough of a showman to Judge hat each Is worth to him. TJiose that are chair-warmers, especially with chains, and in a routine way picking up film as it comes along on yearly buys, using routine ads from press books and trusting to luck, would quickly be on the spot. This would also be true ot the film salesman, the advertising man. the explolteer- and others who didn't deliver. Just the same as in the studios. The field for independent pro- ducers would be opened wide and, with an open market prevailing, Ij.' nanclng for such indies would' no doubt be greatly eased. Meritorious foreign-made film would also stand to benefit by getting into playdates which are now pre-empted for them by poorer Hollywood product that had to be bought and has to be ex- hibited. That Neely might be the solu- tion to the elimination of double bills and a revival of vaudeville or stage sho'ws in other forms, is also a'possibility. The very probability that major producers would turn out fewer pictures in Hollywood should tend to discourage double- billing. .Under the Neely bill, all producer.*; would have to furnish synopses of pictures and under presumption of the bill's -wording also screen the finished product in each of the vari- ous exchange centers mainlaihe*. Hardships of Screenings Visualized in Some Spots Screenings are seen" as necessary because if the pictures did not live up to the synopsis furnished, then the exhib who bought ahead of a runoff of the film could sue for dam- ages and lay the distrib liable to Government action as well. This ia one of its more extreme adverse points for the distrib. Supposition also is that most accounts would buy film only after seeing it, otherwise they will still be buying blind to some extent. Bill seeks to combat 'blind selling' by the provisions call- ing for accurate. synopses. The average number of branch points is now 32. Because of the dis- tances to'some exchanges now in the more scattered territories, additional branches very probably would be- come necessary. ITiere are soma points in the U. S. now where an ex- hib is as far away as 1,200 miles from the nearest exchange. Hardship on ' exbibs far from branchc.<i would b« a serious one if the number wasn't increased. Position of the chain theatre.<: con- trolled by distributors, as well as those controlled independently, would be entirely changed under the Nee- ly measure, if passed. A producer who has his own theatres might b« forced to bid high against independ- ents in order to play his own film, unless supposed legal rights to sell to whom you please would be in- voked. There again the question might arise as to what an indie could do who'd prove he couldn't get film against a chain house, though willing to pay more for it. A stockholder of such a major company also pos- sibly might not understand such a policy by the company in which he has invested. A distrib with its own theatres, however, could bid high enough to top any indie since, in cases where the theatres are controlled 1007c, the money is coming back Into the same pockets anyway. Where partner- ships . exist, however, another prob- lem arises. If Paramount, Metro, RKO, War- ner Bros, and 20th-Fox, which con- trol theatres, ever lost them under the U. S. anti-trust suit, then the whole field would become wide open on bidding. The Indle chain, under Neely'* proposals, would be in a ■ position where each theatre, In each situation, would have to bid against'competi- toi's, it is presumed. Practice of adding on r^tal in one h^use, and taking it off the books -of another that Isn't doing so well, as frequently exists when a chain buys' for a flock of theatres at one time, would no doubt be out. Circuits 'which also are in the habit of making flat-buy deals, paying a stipulated sum to cover the number of theatres involved and then itself allocate the rentals the various houses are to stand would ai.«o no doubt have to drop that habit. All these, and other.*:, are among the trade possibilities, if Neely comes.