Variety (Dec 1939)

TAniETlf'B' rONnON OFFIOn 8 Bl. Murlln'a I*lnce, Vnfalcar Mqnnr* INTERNAtlONAL Onbis AddrcMi TABIRTT, - LONDOM Tclrpliuna T«mple Bar 6011-0012 IS YANK FILM BOOM IN AUSSIE Paris Stage Amusements Into Stride; Pic Industry Still Flounders Paris, Nov. 29. While the French picture industry has been getting the attention and publicity o£ a debutante during the past several months, legit, music hall and other forms of amusement have quietly left the cinema far behind. Five legits, 10 music halls with revue, and variety shows, a circus, four subventioned (government) theatres, one. symphony orchestra and more than a score of cabarets, night clubs and bars have gone a long way toward putting back some of the gay in 'Gay Paree.' In addi- tion, six legits, four music halls, sev- eral symphony orchestras and a score of niteries have announced openings before the end of the year. • Even should the future unshutter- Ings materialize, the .situation will still be far frorh normal. Bound by the same audience restrictions as showcases, legit and music hall pro- ducers complain they cannot give A-1 performances with grosses sorely limited by small audiences, reduced admission tolls and higher taxes. They further complain that limited transit, service—buses stop running at 8:30 p. m..—jnd the blackout, with its unlighled "marquees, keep peo- ple at home and discourage them from making the rounds. Progress Enormous Despite the complaints, the prog- ress has been enormous and the ground recovered rates far better than that of the cinema'. For one, the government showed the way by reopening the Comcdie Francaise during the first week of October, and followed with the Odeon unshutter- ing less than a month later, both giving the usual run of classical plays. Consistency held through in the musical domain with the Opera Comique reopening the second week in October, giving the Royal Opera repertory as well as its own. The Hoyal Opera, which closed in ■ the midst of a Wagner program at the outbreak of war, reopened for regu- lar biz Nov. 18 with 'Alceste.' It's giving three performances weekly, with audience limited to 1,100. France's brightest theatrical lu- minary, Sacha Guitry, who led the legit pack Oct. 24, with the capital's first theatrical performance of the war season at the Madeleine, a scries of one-act plays, on Nov. IC followed with his second progra..., 'Florence,' three-act play, with himself and El- vire Popesco heading the cast. In- cluded in the program is an original film showing a number o.* 'Ccux do Chez Nous' ('Those from Here'), made for Guitry in 1913 of such French wcU-knowns as Sarah Bern- hardt, Lucien Guitry, Rodin, Claude Monet, Anatole France, etc. Other Openings The Dannou opsned during the first week ot November with 'La Cicatrice' ('The Scar'), three-act play by Andre Birabcau, wilh Fran- • coise Fosay storred. The Oeuvre followed a week later with 'Je Vi- vrai Avec ce Grand Amour' CI Will Live With This Great Love'), written by Steve Masseur, Jany Holt head- ing the cast. The Palais-Royale started with Pierre Vcber's farce. •Le Venus de I'llot' ('The Venus of the Isle') Nov. 22. The Charles dc Rochefort opened Nov. 17 with Noel Coward's 'Weekend.' With the Concert Mayol the first among the music halls to open, the ABC and European followed with a double opening Oct. 27. The Mayol offering, 'Paris.. .40,'.was classed as the rawest and most ribald nudi.st show the capital has had to offer in some time. AH three houses arc showing second editions. During early November other mu- sic halls followed suit. The Nou- veautes came through with 'Revue des Revues,' with an all-French cast headed by Jean Aubort. The Humor followed with a timely revue based on current events, 'Montmartre en Bleu* ('Montmartre in Blue')—re- ferring to. the blue paint applied on all windows to keep the light from getting out. Song hit is a French translation ot *Ma, I'm Having Lots ol Fun,' popular with the Tommies. The Abri ('The Shelter'), resur- rected from World War 1, and lo- cated in a basement in the Mont- martre quarter, fits in well with the present epoch of underground sheU ters. It opened recently with 'Eve est ne a I'Abri' ('Eve Is Born in a Shelter'). The Etoile Palace, Folies 39, Tyrol, the Coucou and sev- eral minor theatres are functioning with typical French variety and singing acts. The Cirque Medrano, on the Place Pigalle, has been play- ing to a big trade since early this month with a half circus, half music hall revue, 'Spectacle des Allies.' ' Cate-Vande Competlsh Most of the hot spots are putting on floor shows which vie with some of the variety spectacles. They, too, are bound by the 11 p.m. closing. The usually popular bars, like Harry's and the old landmark, Chez Maxim's, also are functioning. The Pasdeloup Symphony ushered in the concert season Nov. 12 at the Opera Comique. The Conservatoire, Lam- moureux and Orchestre Symphonic do Paris are due for early openings. The legits with imminent reopen- ings are the Methurins, with a play by Mme. Ludmilla Pitoefl; the Am- bassadeurs, with 'Elvire,' by Henry Bernstein; the Bouffes-Parisiene, with Michel Duran's 'Nous ne Somme pas Maries' ('We Are Not Married'), film start Pierre Blachar topping cast, and the Michodiere, with one- act plays by Yves Mirande, latter and Colette to star. Louis Jouvet has announced that he will open the Athenee next month with a yet un- named play, while Jean Cocteau says he may put on his greatly dis- puted 'Les Parents Terribles' of last season at the Theatre de Paris. A familiar touch will be added to the old town with the reopen- ing of the Casino, de Paris before the year-end with a new revue headed by dusky Josephine Baker and Mau- rice Chevalier. The Michel starts Dec. 20 with a revue by Rip and Albert Willametz, 'En Attendant Mieux' ('While Waiting for Better'). 3 Resign Gov't Film Jobs In France After Industry Flays Propaganda Group Paris, Nov. 29. In the wake of the film industry's attack on the Information Bureau, particularly its director, Jean Giraudoux, three officials of the bureau's cinema section have quit. They are Yves Chataigneau, the unit's head, and assistants Pierre Marechal and Benoit-Levy. No rea- son given for their resignations. Inability of the industry to re- habilitate itself since the start of the war precipitated the attack some weeks . ago on the propaganda group, which was blamed for the snag. While dissatisfaction persists in the bureau, the sub-committee of the Minister of Finance in the Chamber of Deputies has approved Deputy Leon Archimbaud's suggestion that all the censorship propaganda ser- vices in France be unified. The deputy strongly criticized the pres- ent lack ot coordination between the cinema, radio and press censorship services in the Information Bureau. Although Chataigneau's successor has not yet been selected, the name most mentioned is that of Deputy Henri Clerc, recently appointed to head a committee to stimulate film production by studying individual cases and proposing government aid. in needy cases. French Fibers' U.S. Ideas • Trek of three French picture pro- ducers to the* Coast over the week- end looms as a forerunner of foreign independent film production in Hol- lywood and possibly in the east. Paul Praetz, Raphael and Robert Hakim, French producers, all have U. S. ideas. f OREIGN PIC LAG British Blackout of Produc- tion Would Give U. S. Cos. Virtually 100% Marquee Representation Down Un- der—One Snag to Upped Revenue May Be Getting Coin Out TALK EQUITABLE PLAN Sydney, Nov. 20. A healthy increase in reveniie for Hollywood product throughout the Commonwealth is forecast for next year by U. S. distributor representa- tives here. Thus far, however, they have refused to admit whether or not new film rentals will be In- creased. Any considerable blackout of pro- duction in England, if only for sev- eral months, probably would give American distributors 100% marquee representation in Australia and New Zealand. U. S. films, since the war, have been in increasing demand Down Under since the British pro- duction lag due to the war. Dearth of British and other .foreign product is likely to mean the eventual elimi- nation ot the 25% right ot rejec- tion granted exhibs. This restric- tion, naturally, has affected U. S. dis- tribs most. [British distribs In Australia deny that there will be a product short- age next year, thus forcing the rule calling for 15% compulsory screening of British product to be cast aside by exhibitors in New South Wales.. Syd Grcsham, of Associated Talk- ing Pictures, for one, states that British authorities wish to keep their studios operating as far as possible. Gresham pointed out that the British have gained greatly in Australia re- cently with .their quality product, and that any breakdown would re- quire years to rebuild]. Coin Transfer Snae One snag, however, is the transfer ot revenue to the U. S. without some exchange loss. Certain restrictions are operating in connection with the flow ot coin to foreign countries, and it's believed that early next year will see further imposts applied by the federal authorities because of pre- vailing conditions. A major headache Is the slip in the pound-to-dollar rate of exchange. There is some talk that the Menzies government, because ot large pur- chases of airplanes and the like from the U. S., will endeavor to bring about a more equitable payment plan in respect to exchange con- ditiqi: on the Arncrican dollar. It can be assumed that the govern- ment alone would benefit under a revised exchange rate, and that ordi- nary traders in the entertainment field would not be included in any government scheme covering the ex- change question. Extension of the war means in- creased taxation for all businesses operating in the comrnonwealth. Opinion is held that the amusement industry will thus be hit to the hilt. Avenues open to the government in- clude extra taxation on imported film footage, printing materials and profits. Problem Next Year U. S. distribs see a big problem to face next year! Despite the non- commital attitude ot the distribs, there still is a possibility that film rentals may be increased to equal any loss that would be taken on the exchange. Such a move, nat- urally, would bring heavy protests from exhibs. But, with a contem- plated scarcity ot British pix, and the necessity for exhibs to buy U. S. fare in order to keep their theatres open, any such increase, because ot conditions beyond the control ot dis- tribs, would, so it's believed in cer- tain quarters, be fully justified. Any upping iH footage would also make it essential to increase rentals to home exhibs. Distrib execs figure that any fur- ther curb on the flow of coin from British Monetary Quota Plan Sought By David E. Rose; Par Setting Prod. U. S. LEADS IN HUNGARY Films of 8 Majors Are Most Imported of All Forelen Cos. Budapest, Dec. 1. The eight major U. S. companies distributing pictures in Hungary lead all other nations shipping Alms into this country. Paramount, Metro, Universal, Warner Bros, and 20th- Fox, which maintain branches here, together with distributors ot Colum- bia, United Artists and RKO product, have released about'550 features in Hungary in the last five years while other foreign companies show about 365 plus 170 listed for Germany. Frozen money situation is not re- garded as bad. About $200,000 re- mains tied up hero as U. S. com- panies await permission to transfer. Shift to Aussie May Be Made By British Cos. Sydney, Nov. 20, Australian studios, largely inactive for more than a year, may be placed at the disposal ot British producers. It has been unofficially suggested that if production should be forced to a complete standstill in England, arrangements may be made for Brit- ish units, comprising men released from military service, to start pro- duction in New South Wales under an agreement with local studios. Because picture plants here are fully equipped, British producers then only would have to settle the question of importing suitable man- power and talent. Idea is supported by the fact that there's a close trade agreement cur- rently between the British and Aus- tralian governments covering pri- mary products. It's believed that Australian authorities would be will- ing to aid the British film industry it any move to this field was official- ly contemplated. Local producers naturally would welcome any col- laboration of this sort HICKS, HENSON m?!^^ TO ENTERTAIN SOLDIERS London, Dec. 2. The Gracie Fields concerts in France have met with such success that Entertainments National Serv- ice Association is laying more ex- tended plans for entertaining the soldiers. Companies headed by Seymour Hicks and Leslie Henson have been organized. With Hicks are Claire Luce. Deveen, Tom Webster, Doro- thy Ward and the Three Ascots. Henson has Violet Loraihe, Binnic Hale and the Debroy Somcrs Quin- tet. Another party will be Ralph Reader's gang, composed entirely of male performers. Will Hay will also have a 'crazy' gang show presented by George Black. For Christmas week the entire 'Me and My Girl' conipany will do its stuff. In most instances performances will be twice nightly. Australia to the U. S. would be best handled by investing in govern- mental or war loan bonds until the end of hostilities. Their coin would be perfectly safe in cold storage, but such a position may not be too ac- ceptable to U. S. producers in need of finance for advanced production schedules. Apart from any curb on I coin flowage, there still remains the exchange problem to overcome, plus increased taxation. Paramount will make five or six features in England next year, possi- bly two of them for 1939-40 quota credits, David E. Rose, general man- ager in Britain for the company, re- vealed this week in N. Y. Rose left for the Coast last night (Tuesday) after huddling with Barney Balaban regarding production matters. He will stay in Hollywood until the first of the year, checking available story properties and talent, and will sail from N. Y. for London on Jan. 15. Suggestion that the British quota be placed on a monetary, rather than the present footage basis, was made by Rose. He would have the amount of business done by each American company used for figuring.quota pro- duction in England. Credits woiild be allotted in proportion to the amount of coin invested in making quota pix. Principal strong point of this pro- posal would be that U. S. distribu-' tors, putting heavy coin into quota pictures, either because ot delays or added expenditures, would receiva full credit. Footage arrangement does not give a producer a break it he goes extensively overboard on production costs. Rose claimed he advanced this plan in .London before leaving for the U. S., distributors there indicating they were in favoir of it. The quota law is up for changes in March, these to become effective April 1, when the third year of the quota law gets under way. Rose thinks this al- tered setup should be made at that time. Business is off only 10-15% in Eng- land at the present time, according to Rose, who viewed this as highly encouraging. Blackouts were not hurting cinemas with strong product, he said. It was pointed out that 'French Without Tears,' made as a Par quota picture on a comparatively modest budget, undoubtedly would enter the American market with all negative costs returned from business en- joyed in Great Britain alone. UA Set On Quota United Artists is set on all Its British quota productions until the second-year of the act expires next March 31, it was announced yester- day (Tuesday) by Arthur W. Kelly, v.p. in charge of UA foreign distri- bution. 'Over the Moon' and 'Thief ot Bagdad,' two forthcoming Alex- ander Korda productions, will easily cover quota obligations from now until that date. Korda, who arrived in New York this week from the Coast, sails to- morrow (Thursday) for London, where he will prepare for production resumption in England early next yfear. RKO's rrod. Abroad Hollywood, Dec. ^12. Early resumption of British pro- duction by RKO is indicated by the report that William Sistrom is due to clipper to England Jan. 2. He made 'The Saint in London' over there last January. Hoyts Takeover Would Exit Par as Antip Exhib Melbourne, Nov. 20. Deal is reported in the offing be- tween Hoyts circuit and Paramount for a takeover of the latter's Capi- tol theatre here next year. Any proposed arrangement whereby Hoyts would operate the Capitol Is taken to mean the disappearance of Par from exhibition in the common- wealth. Par has deal with Dan Carroll whereby his house is used as the company's show window in Sydney. Bowout of the Capitol would. leav« only Metro, of U. S. .firms, actively engaged in the theatre field, with seven theatres in key spots.