Variety (Jan 1940)

76 Internatloiial Thirty fourth VARIETY Anniversary Wednesday, January 3, 1940 Noii-'Aryan' Blackout In Hungary By E. P. Jacobi Budapest, Dec. 20. Year 1939 marked the greatest ups and downs that the native motion picture industry has yet experienced In the course of a single year. Until mid-August things looked as if pro- duction in Hungary were definitely dead. Since the outbreak of the •war, however, it has not only come to life again, but there is a distinct Improvement in quality that prom- ises well for the future. What is propositions, with a few otliers for choice, but no one has ever heard anyone say: 'I am going to see such- and-such a picture because so-and-so is in it.' A drawback, too, is that cosmeticians lag far behind in the art of screen makeup, and that none of the girls in Huniwrian picV- ; dress welli Accordingly, most local pictures more, production and promotion, to j,jj^.g'a run" which can be calculated a great extent, is now based on p^g^y closely in advance, but there permanent fovmdalions that will out- last the present boom. Production has jumped because there is an increased demand for lo- cal product, imports being limited to half of the number they were in recent years. But for the first time row it has a backing that is really serious. It looks as if the hand-to- mouth days of Hungarian films are over. No more starting to make a $20,000 picture on $2,000 cash. with, the rest trickling in by credits, ad- vances, loans from the composer, the assistant superviscfr, or the fea- ttired actress' sugar daddy. Finan- cial backers, like the two important banks that have lately taken an in- terest in local production, the State Film Fund, which owns the most important studio, and the transport company, which has a monopoly of film import shipments, can afford to be discriminating in the way of ar- tistic direction. Material security and moral support tend to improve the general standard of pictures, though certainly . not to encourage great originality. •Aryan' Laws These are the reasons why local production, at a complete standstill in spring and summer when activi- ties were at their height in previous years, is underway again and work- ing at full capacity with a higher average standard. This' is all the more remarkable since extensive personnel changes had to be made owing to the rulings of the 'Aryan' Law. No producer, production man- ager, supervisor, director, cutter, title-maker may at present be a Jew, or of Jewish origin (certain excep- tions have bsen allowed). Of the artistic, technical and administrative personnel, 6% may be Jews. The same rule applies to the distributing and exhibiting end of the 1rade; per sons of Jewish race are barred as managers, theatre owners, booking managers, etc., that, is to say, from all executive positions. In subaltern positions, only 6% may be held by Jews, who are also forbidden to earn more than 6% of the sum total of salaries and fees. Every person em- played in the motion picture busi- ness in whatever capacity must be a member of the Film Chamber, of which Jews may only be members to the extent of the same percentage. This explains why early in the year local ' production received a shock from which it could not hie ex- pected to recover as fast as it act- ually had done. The 'Aryan' Law, applied to every other field of eco- nomic and professional life, caused a crisis which, coupled with a gen- eral atmosphere of political uncer- tainty, made Jewi.sh and also non- Jewish capital shy of investment in fil; 1 production. Hungary's film production noW averages a fairly_ high le^vel' in the way of direction"and camera> work, but one can't expect super-features to be produced within the margin of $20,000 to $30,000.. Hungarian lan- guage limits warrant no higher ex- penditure. There is no getting round these financial limits, but they are no excuse for the lack of originality and ■•dramatic power of script writers. No Slandoat Stars What Hungarian films lack more than anything else, however, is a star. There is no outstanding per- sonality, either male or female, for whose sake the public would be eager to see a picture, unless it is one of the popular comedians in smaller parts, such as Piri Vaszary, Julius Gozon, Gerp Maly, or the character actor Julius Psortos, The two foremost leading men are Paul Javor and Antal Pager; the third. Imre Raday, has not been admitted as a member of. the Chamber and no longer appears In pictures. He was the only one who had any charm. The feminine prospect is even more hopeless. There are a number of pretty girls aspiring to stardom and playing the leading parts in Hungarian pictures, but not a single one of them has personality. Zita Szeleczky, who plays at the National Theatre, Elizabeth Simor, the best looker in Magyar pictures, Bella Bordy, who arrived in films via the ballet stage, are the best current have been no outstanding money- makers in the Hungarian market since 'Fairy-Tale Car' three years ago. They are made, pretty safe against losses, however, by the Gov- ernment decree which rules that 20';o of all features shown must be made in Hungary. Imports Cut in Half Distributors of imported films naturally suffer from wartime re- strictions. Six months ago there was joy among their ranks because at long last an agreement was reached with the National Bank anent libera- tion of frozen assets, and transfer of approximately $160,000 per an num in foreign currency was granted for the import of foreign product, mainly American, French and British. Now this has been re- duced to rather less than half. In- stead of 100 American features, im- port permit will be granted to about 50 per annum. Number of French imports in the next year will be reduced to 27, and of British, to a mere three. Numl)er of Ger- man imports is still uncertain, pend- ing negotiations of exchange with Hungarian product, or dubbing German-made in Hungary. There have been talks about film exchange with Italyi but Italian pictures have not yet been shown here with any success. From the business viewpoint, how- ever, it is only American and French pictures that count—and to a certain extent German ones; their number, however, being steadily on the decline. French pictures, on the other hand, are gaining popularity year by year. Outstanding recent hits were: American- pictures: 'Suez,' 'Love Affair,' 'Stolen Love,' 'Alexander's Ragtime Band,' 'Boys Town,' 'The Great Waltz,'' 'Robin Hood.' 'Zaza,' 'Huckleberry Finn,' 'The Story of Irene and Vernon Castle,' 'That Cer- tain Age.' - French pictures: ' D e r r i e r la facade.' 'Hotel du Nord,' 'Mr. Flow,' 'Remontons des Champs Elysees,' 'J'etais une Av^nturiere,' 'Abus tie Conflden(?fe,'-'Le Voleur des Femmes,' 'Quai des Brumes.' Hungarian pictures: 'Istyan Bors,' directed by Viktor Banky, Vilma Banky's brother; 'Toprini nasz.' . Neutrality Observed The government takes great care that strict neutrality is observed by exhibitors and public alike on the score of newsreels. Few war pic- tures are shown, horrors are siip- pressed as far as possible, and the balance between German and Allied pictures is carefully maintained (for every picture from the German front there is one from the Allied side). It is strictly prohibited to applaud, to make loud remarks, or give any other signs of approval or disapproval. Nevertheless, the newsreels are one more reason why film audiences are not diminishing in number. IJ>ur- ing the war outbreak crisis it was observed that afternoon perform-, ances were crowded, but-people sat at home evenings listening to the is tiding over difTicullies and there is no doubt that it will win through to new development. The first crisis with which the Hungarian stage had to cope during the current year was the racial legis- lation. Parliamentary, press and private debates poisoned the atmos- phere, already heavy with political unrest and uncertainty. Next step was to ascertain who was a Jew and who wasn't. Tlie discrimination was made on racial, not religious grounds. The law made certain ex- ceptions for war veterans, for counter-revolutionary fighters dur- ing the Bolshevik period in 1919, etc., and stipulated that persons bap- tized in the Christian faith over 20 years ago, whose parents and grand- parents had all been born and re- sided in Hungary since 1848, should be regarded as Christians and be exempt from the law. Begun was a search for dociunents of parents and grandparents of Jew and Gentile alike, membership in Actors' Chamber depending on com- plete documentation. The Muses wept, but theatres struggled oh. Autocratic Anthority In addition. Stage Chamber began to assume autocratic authority over a number of fields. Appointment of representative mlanage'rs of every theatre was subject to the Cham- ber's approval, even if legal con- siderations were complied with. An- other fundamental change from tra- dition was brought about in the mat- ter of provincial companies. So far, permanent companies playing in mu- nicipal theatres of large cities were subsidized out of community and Government funds; even third-rate companies enjoyed some subsidy and always toured the same circuit. This tended to establish personal contact of the public with managements and companies; towns felt proud of their own stage, their own company, their own theatrical season. However, with subsidies scant and business at a permanent low ebb, provincial companies had been in a bad way for years. The Stage Chamber, motive power behind whicji is its ubiquitous president, Ferenc Kiss, the eminent actor and head of State Dramatic Academy, now proceeded to organ- ize the provincial stage on entirely new lines. Twelve touring com panics were formed, under man agers appointed by the Chamber; the whole country divided up into cir cuits allotted to these companies, No other corhpanies beside these, licensed by the Chamber, have the right to hold performances any where in the provinces. Those in favor of the new organization argue that in this fashion it will be pos- sible to present the provincial pub- lic with far better performances than heretofore. The (Chamber also gave financial support to a group that took over the Belvarosi theatre, whose man- agement voluhtarily quit without waiting for the term stipulated by the Aryan Law. Plans were also Forget It, Moe Hollywood, Jan. 1. M-G-M Corp. bloomed sudden- ly and faded out abruptly at a profit of $175, Moe G. Miller Incorporated himself, and. Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer thought It might cause various confusing ideas to arise. Moe \vas paid to disincorporate himself. »♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ilANZAC LEGItI :: VAUDE IN '39 !; ttttttttttttttlM I MMlH By Eric Gorrick pest considered itself duty bound to open in the second half of Septem- ber. Management of state-super- vised theatres—Opera, National, Kamara—is unchanged; privatcly- owiitd theatres have, with the ex- to the cleaners. The picture-minded cept.on of Belvaros. remamed in ^^^^^^ ^^^^^ the same hands as last year, b^ and the majority of thorn, Z partly with new figureheads as man- 1^^^ ^ Snidcr-Dean. agers, to comply with the require- . .'^ onih.P^Z Sidney. Dec. 10. Throughout the major portion oi 1939, legit under the misplaced guld- ance of Australian-New Zealand Theatres, took a drastic boxoftlce beating. Too many cooks frazzled the ANZT setup and sent (he stage mcnts of the 'Aryan' law. In the case of Magyar theatre, a first-rate stage of old standing and best repute,'the Chamber-refused to approve the per- son nominated ais manager. Magyar, failing to open, some 200 actors and technical personnel were added to ^j^^-T directors, including Ken Asp. the list of Chamber's unemployed attorney for various pic units members. The theatre however. gyjoj,5,y_ couldn't see eyc-to-eya may open at a later date. It and when ^j^^ producer-director, Ernest C. the owners and the Chamber acree jj^jij^ ^ ^^^^y^ that Rolls quit upon the person of a responsible ^aer certain financial arrangements executive manager. j,ad been completed. However, tha Proposed Comedy Theatre damage had been done and fiop fol- The only^other theatre to close | costly flop. The only real hit """ ■ * " " - clicked by , ANZT was 'The Women,' and Stanley Crick, former 20th-Foz exec, had their bankrolls dented con- siderably before bowing out in fa- vor of a re-takeover by the. William- son-Tait group under the dircolion of E. J. Tait. Early in the setup, many ol the down was Terezkoruti, a small In- dependent stage. Instead,. Fovarosl Operatic theatre, dark for over a year, opened under new manage- ment, proposing to give Budapest what it lacked for years—a perma- nent comedy stage. Dunapartl thea- tre is another new venture, a small stage playing mainly one-acters. This brings the number of theatres with a U. S. cast 'Idiot's Delight,' Personal Appearance,' 'Black Lime- light,' 'Casino Revue,' 'Arovind tha Clock' and 'Yes My Darling Daugh- ter :ill helped to set legit back plenty. Williainson-Tait. on rct.?ke. de- mothballed 'Wildflower' and got by for a spell. First real hit, however, now playing in the capital to the full came to the unit with Switzerland ■peace-time' total of 14. ice Show, brought over from South So much for the good intentions Africa. Another Britisher, 'Under' of the Hungarian stage to go on as your Hat,' recently completed • if nothing had happened. The thea- nine weeks' run in Melbourne for tres are playing, but how do they w-T. Major attractions under tha " play and what? The'Aryan'law has same management for 1940 include not brought about very substantial Covent Garden Russian Ballet, a changes in the construction of com- Gilbert-Sullivan opera season, and panics. A few outstanding actors of possibly a grand opera bid later in non-'Aryan' extraction are missing— the year. It's also expected that several have gone abroad—a few W-T will make a play for U. S. are left and are playing, but the attractions from time to time. percentage of Jews among actors here was always small. Of course it is not a healthy state of things wheg the religion of an actor's grandmother is being discussed in- stead of his actlstic performance. But this period being over, simul- Martln's Brave Try Dave Martin has made a br.ive at- tempt to build legit into something worthwhile at his Minerva, located in a scmi-nabe Sydney center. Mar- tin had a tieup with ANZT, but taneously with a political,, trend to ^'"f'^^^ ^^^"^^ Yi}^^ '}^'°}''' P^''^^t! ^ - ' and others. He then tried solo when let the question of anti-Semitism come to a rest, the theatres have I ANZT folded, but again met with also settled into their stride. The ""'y ^o-so success. Martin "ow^as average standard of acting in Hun- = working arrangement with W-T garian theatres is high. Character f"'^^ows and players, and currently actors are excellent. The Magyar ''^/"""'"^ ""^^^T A^l SnTufv '"a't ' o?eilt°"lh'e"e''"ll P--^"^^ ^fa^ Ifc^.dc''DinLr.t Sfa^tres^or'S'who"migh?h^ lay claim to be that-but the Ren- J" Adelaide and Brisbane, a couple eral level has not sunk In these times attempts were. made to ?Ponsor of storm and stress. Indeed a new '"t^.^^^t hi legit under '"d = nwn- note has lately been added to the ""^"t^; 51'',^"^^"='^"''-'''lu*" t orchestration of Hungarian acting; | I,'lt,!'^°/.^>itth« sl^'ds, but without some exceptionally fine perform ances of folk plays and types, genU' afoot for the Chamber to take over | ine and sincere. In the place of the the entire business of booking and cut-rate agencies, but these have been abandoned for the moment. The idea was for the Chamber to gain increasing control, not only over ac- tors* material interests, but also over the artistic and moral aspects of the Hungarian stage. Actors Uncertain Instead of feeling added security under the Chamber's protection, ac- tors felt uncertain about the future during the summer, when managers, doubtful whether the Chamber would approve their appointment, radio. Now trade runs in normal Postponed organization of companies, channels again Stage Emerges Okay After going through two danger- ous crises in 1939, the Hungarian stage has emerged without grave damage and is fit for further work and development. A good many per- sonal changes have been made by compulsion. Mental and moral res- ervations momentarily hedge in free speech on the stage here as in every country in Europe. ' There is no trace of a war boom in Hungary: audiences are short of cash to spend on theatre tickets. All this is not conducive to progress. Yet while lights are out and doors, closed in half the theatres in Europe, neon lights blaze over Budapest's 14 thea- tre marquees as brightly as a year ago.. Two theatres closed, but two new ones opened and are putting a brave face upon things that look none too cheerful at the moment, except by comparison. Of the key cities of the Continent, Budapest is the only orie at present which Is working at full capacity in the show trade. With a consid- erable amount of optimism invested contracting actors and purchasing plays. Openings were delayed In consequence. 'Things looked even blacker in the critical late August and early September, when war loomed on Hungary's horizon and fi- nally broke out at her very doors, but fortunately stopped beyond her frontiers. The watchword 'Business as usual' soon took effect; there was no panic In Hungary. Agitation.of local Nazis, prevalent a year ago, has been completely sup pressed, anti-Semitic measures do not exceed legal bounds and do not overlap into social or private life; strictest neutrality Is enforced In eygry respect. Hungary's policy, and the leanings of the overwhelming majority of its people, have always tended towards friendship with Italy. Traditional friendship and na- tionwide sympathy for Poland could only find expression in hospitality offered to refugees, and increased the determination to slay out of the war, together with Italy and the neutral states of southeastern Eu- rope. Under such circumstances the man very heavy losses. Vaode Paced OK Vaude-revue was paced along at a in the business, the Budapest stage agcment of every theatre In Buda- seml-humorous, semi-romantic make- nice speed to return satisfactory up In the light of which 'the people' profits for Tivoll Theatres in 1939. It's used to be presented on the stage. still a two-a-day lineup in Sydney Flay Outlook Glum and Melbourne, with no Sabbath As for plays, the outlook is glum, shows. Frank NeU firmly believes Of course there can be no question that sufficient overseas' talent will of politics on the Hungarian sUge; be available in 1940 to maintain this right or left, totalitarian or demo- schedule without difficulty. Best eratic are strictly taboo; utter neu- b.o. bets were Will Mahoney (several trality pervades the theatre as does it repeats), Larry Adler (also on ra- the press. Even BekefTi, conferen- peats), Nick Lucas, George Robey cler of Podium Cabaret, who dared and the Mills Bros. Bigge.st disap- to drop a few political hints six polntment was Anna May Wong, months ago, has gone completely Tivoli spots a certain number of colorless. But neither Is the Magyar u. s., British and local acts into stage guilty of any propaganda. units, with each unit averaging a five Plays must move in a timeless, re- weeks' stay In Melbourne and Syd- mote atmosphere, far from the things ney. Occasionally a troupe is routed that occupy the thoughts of every to New Zealand for a road-showing single person In the audience. Not of some 10 weeks. Of late, however, an easy job for the playwright, es- n. Z. has been dropped owing to pecially when catering to an essen- difficulty in bringing coin away tlally polltlcally-mlnded public like under Governmental regulations, that of Budapest. New plays this Next year a fresh try may be made season have been few and unim- to have the current monetary bother portant. Except for an ambitious but erased, not very successful problem play by Major imports In 1940 for Tivoll Zilany, most authors tackle things Theatres will Include Stanley HoHo- the easier way and seek refuge In way and Sandy Powell; with names farcical comedy, of which audiences of marquee worth from the U. S. appear to be duly appreciative. Some On his return from a recent over- weightier plays are scheduled for seas' scouting trip. Proxy Neil re- later production. A revival of ported that he had signed up some Shaw's 'Pygmalion,' Sari Fedak in 200 players for ah Aussie tour. tl»e one-rtlme Marie Tempest ve- Costly flop was registered in Mel-, hide The Marquise,' and revivals bourne with Casino Revue under the of various classics at the National go direction of the now defunct Austra- to prove that there Is no great sup- lian-New Zealand Theatres. Acts ply of new plays to pick and choo.'se Imported for the show included Six from, An improvement can hardly Danwells, Natalie and Darncllc. Max- be expected before the peoples of Ine and Bobby, and Seven Boden- Europe can breathe that great and wiesers. Ernest C. Rolls, who pro- much-longed-for sigh of relief which duced this one, is said to have sought will burst all fetters of censure, of six British revues for' playing herft political consideration, and make but one try was enough, with tne way for free expansion of talent rest of the stuff now iii the WilUaii- again. I son-Talt storehouse.