Variety (Sep 1942)

• M. Maitta' " IMtEUlAnONAL Boom in Attenunce Ifikes Pk Stocb 3c To $4 In England; Odeon In Slide London, Aug. 21. Result of general boom in audi- ence attendance has lent many film stocks up, rises varying from 3c to $4, Latest to come into the dlvi- dAid-paylng ranks is Associated British Picture Corp., paying a fur- ther 7K%,' bringing diwy up to 15% for years on the common after last year paying nothing. v Associated British Cinemas' S%% debentures rose $1.75 dnd now stand at $409, par being $400. G-B 4%% new debs jumped $4 to $306, and are" now only $4 below StoQ Corp. up 7c, making the $4 par stock price current $1J0. Only noticeable tall is Odeon 6% debs., down $3 and now marked $306. Latter somewhat strange fall in view of formation this week of new Odeon company with $6,000,000 capital in $4 shares. Object is to acquire 83 provincial Odeon cinemas promoted by late Oscar Deutsch as separate companies and so bring outstanding mortgages now held locally inside the main Odeon company. Issue does not coiicem existing stockhold- ers in parent concern, who will not be asked to make a stock swap for scrip in the new cwnpany. PEPPERMAN DESCRIBES TOKYO EXPERIENCES Lewis Pepperman, manager of the former United Artists office in Tokyo, described his post-Pearl Harbor experiences in the Jap capital yesterday (Tuesday) at a press con- ference in New York. He was the last American in the film business to get out of Tokyo. Pepperman estimated there Is some ■ 11,000,000 yen in Japanese banlcs belonging to American dls- tribs or, roughly, $2,500,000. Foreign FDn Men Get Foreip Postal Riles Both major and - Independent for- eign sales diiefs met with Col. W. Preston Corderman, of the U. S. Postal Service in charge of all pos- tal censorslUp, and other officials of customs censorship setup in the east yesterday" (Tuesday), and talked ad- ditional cooperation. Foreign man- agers also discussed possible ways for speeding the shipment of pic- tures, especially shorts, to the Latin- American market. Phil Reisman', who heads a special committee handling this matter, reports at the foreign managers' meeting next week. Because all U. S. distributors are concerned with getting their pic- tures through customs censorsnip with the minimum of delay, PRC. Monogram and Republic, besides the major foreign managers, were repre- sented at the huddle yesterday. Be- sides Cordennan, Richard R. Smith, and Perry Arnold, two memt>ers of the reviewing committee in N. Y, which assists in expediting ship- ments through customs, were pres- ent. Steps were taken to Improve the system by both distribs and the committee and postal reps. It wai "iggested that all aim com- the reviewing committee rather than first submitting matter to postal censors. The method for handling pictures, passed by the customs re- viewing group in Hollywood, but changed by having foreign lan- guage tiUes superimposed in N. Y.. also was outlined. Mexico City, Aug. 25. Remains of Jaime Nuno, composer ot the Mexican national hymn, are to be exhumed at Buffalo, N. Y., where he died several years ago, and brought here by plane to be Interred in the Rotunda of the lUustrious Men at the principal local cemetery. Restoration of Nuno's ix>dy to his homeland was arranged by Dr. Fran- cuico CastUlo Najera. Mexican Am- bassador to thfe U. S. A monument «f Nu.no and the hymn is to be erected, with a special public cere- niony In Chepultepec Wood, the leading local public park. Unveiling and Nuno's funeral wiU be simul- tat.eous, sometime in September. BelgiaB Film Mission Andre (^uvln, who has made documentaries exclusively for the Belgian government, is leaving early this month to make documentary fllms on the Belgian Congo war ef- fort He was commissioned by the Belglt^n government in London and Is being sponsored by It on this fllm-maklng trip. Cauvin will be accompanied by lyricist John Latouche and Arthur L. Fisher, British cameraman. La- touche . will write the commentary, and he ia hopeful tliat the progress of the expedition may be sent by shortwave to this country. Antl-Fascist Fix ^EC0BtlaBe4 froa vage Iss passed it to Dr. Miguel Culadati, Blinister of the Interior. Latter tossed it to the office of the Inten- dente (Mayor), Carlos Albertor Pueyrredon. iDvsdeta* Bec«»d Invaders' bad. been running a week, piling up flirst-stanza socko gross of 60,000 pesos (over $19,000). practically an aU-time record for the Cine Gran Rex, South America's largest fllmery. 'Agent' had been running only four days. Rex management, following a per- sonal appeal to President Ramon S. Castillo, secured permission to con- tinue over the weekend, and in the two-day period, set a new record of 38,000 pesos $(9,500) with standees at every performance. Fox was un- able to get a similar okay on 'Agent' and so a sub pic had to be tossed into the Ambassador theatre. During the .week foUoWing the censorship board had the films run off several times and Interior Mini- ster Culadati, after personal view- ings, said Invaders,' with the elim- ination ot certain phrases referring to (Sennany and its people, 'Bad | Laist nothing offensive to the dignify or prestige ot that nation.' No verdict yet handed down on 'Agent' al- though ttiat's expected soon. Oddly, despite the ban in BA., which is the Federal District like Wasliington, D. C, fllms were not stopped in the interior and both were run in Santa Fe and elsewhere okay for B. A. was finally given 10 days after original ban and Colum- bia acquiescence to make certain cuts, particularly of strong dialogue. Re-release date not yet set. Indication that future procedure will be to have Foreign Ministry rep sit in passing on all doubtful fllms came when Mayor Pueyrredon and a Foreign Ministry rep previewed and approved with minor cuts United Artists' "Mister V,' just be- fore release. Pic liad been approved by censors, but the approval was withdrawn when the 'Invaders' In- cident came up. Following cuts sug- gested by Dr. Culaciatl. censorship board issued a general decree cover- ing fllm. Until end of '41 Foreign Office rep sat with the censors but dtiring the present year the system has been changed. Future practice of having Foreign Office rep sit with the bluepencillers has advantages and disadvantages, in the opinion of *^'^'i^iie. diifiTIS''»a! T^^ at once how they stand and not make prints or start advertising un- til they get the official nod. Pre- viously, as in the case of 'Invaders,' everything was set when the yank order came. Disadvantage is tiiat it will permit totalitarian pressuring the Foreign Ministry to protest every fllm in advance and make de- fense difficult 'Juke' Allergy ; Contlmied ttom pace Is condemn the use of the word 'juke in relation to coin machines is an old story. They iiave carried on a campaign for years to eliminate it Some time ago they brought pres- sure to bear on Dick Todd to change his billing from 'King of the Juke Boxes' to 'King of the Coin Ma- chines.' In all the legal data compiled by the Government in its moves to counteract the no-recording order recently put into effect by James C. Petrlllo, American Federation of Musiftans prexy, the 'juke box* des- ignation is always used for coin- music machines. Cnrrent London Shows London, Sept 1. 'AU'i Fair,' Whitehall. 'BUIhe Spirit.' St James's. 'Dancing Tears,* Adelphi. 'Doctor'* DUemaos,' Haymarket D'Oyly Carte Opera, Princess. 'Flarepath,' Apollo. •nmm and Dandy.' SavUle. 'FnU Swing.' Palace. 'Oangwsy,' Palladium. Hlet a Load et This,' Hippodrome. lail BaUet. His Majesty's •Ufeiine,' Duchess. "Light and Shade,' Ambassador. ■Macbeth.' PiccadiUy. •HaU ot 4be Hauitains.' Coliseum. Han Wta« Caiie to Dinner,' Savoy. ■Hetalng Star,' Globe. 'Harder .WHhont Crime,' Comedy. •No Orchids tor Blandish,' Wales. 'Qnlet Week-End,' Wyndham's. "Bain,' St Martin's. 'BebeccB,' Strand. "Bose-Harle,* StoU's. Boasian Ballet, Cambridge. Sadler's WcUs Ballet, New. 'Salt of Earth,' Vaudeville. 'Sky High,' Phoenix. ■WUd Hose,' Prince. 'Warn lliat BIsn,' Garrick. 'Watch on the Bhine,' Aldwych. DUMBO' HEFTY 12G AS lEADER IN B. A. Buenos Aires, Aug. 25. "Dumbo' (RKO), aided by smart exploitation, ran up the heftiest gross of the week at B. A.'s first' runners. Film clicked to the tune of 48,000 pesos ($12,000) for the 10 day period. It came in early to to! low 'Invaders,' which was officially yanked but permitted to xarry on previous weekend business. Other utimatet, all given in At- (dentine pesos, currently at about 27c IT. S., follow: Ambassador (Lautaret & Cavallo) (1,400; 2.50-2.00)—'Bajo un Angel del Cielo' ('An Angel Came Down from Heaven') (Arg-made). OK 13,000. week, unestimated but weak because 'Secret Agent of Japan' (20th) was yaniced after squawks after four days and "Song of th'6 Is- land' (20th) filled in. . Ideal (Lococo (970; 3.00-2.50), 'Saboteur' (U). So-so 11,000 for second we^ Last week two-house opening brought 20,000 here and 14,' 000 to tlie Suipacha. Bex (Cordero, Cavallo & Lauta ret) (3;305; 230-2.00) — "Dumbo" (RKO). Sock 48,000 for 10-day period. Last week, "Invaders' (Col distributed), 38,000 for long week end, following first week's record 60,000. Ocean (CoU, Gatti & Cia) (2,800; 2.00-1.50) — 'K M. Pulham, Esq.' (M-G). Neat 28,000. Satisfactory considering American locale. Last week. The Bugle Sounds' (M-G), so- so 18,000. Normandle (Lococo (1,400; 2.00- 1.50)—'Reap the Wild Whid' (Par). 9,000 on second week of pop-priced run. Last week, opener, 12,000. BfoDomentei (Coll, Gatti & Cia) (1300: ZOO-1.50)—*<;one With The Wind' (M-G). Back after bowing out tor a national. 'Gone' piled up a nifty 21,500, which Is 5,500 more than it did week before stepping out Last week, "Sendas Cruzadas' (Arg-made), weak 8,000. *..SteW.««ff>0»U3i«l»> ^2.00)- 'Always in My Heart' *B). Not bad 23,000. Last week, "In the ffavy' (U), satisfactory 22.000. Solpachs (Lococo) (950; 3.00-2.50) —"Tu Eres La Paz' (Arg-made). OK 12,000. Last week, 'Saboteur' (U) drew 14,000 to this house on the doubter. Broadway (Lautaret & Cavallo) (2,863; 2.00-1.50)--'How Green Was BIy Valley' (20th). OK 15,000 for first week of pop-priced run. Last week, "Los Chicos Crecen" (Arg- made), OK 9,000 for second week. Can.'* Upped Tax Bill Ottawa, Sept 1. Show biz brows are wrinkled at (he prospect of Canada's hard-hit- ting new income tax which will v/aliop payrolls across the Dominion this month, practically none es- caping. Theatres, nlteries. Juke Joints and hotels dread what fall will bring after two years of the heaviest spending by the public in years, defi- nitely expecting a slump but hophig tht sting is soft. French Producer Excoriates Fdm CoUaboratiomsts Still m France The strange and awkward role now being played by French fllm figures in the Nazi-dominated French picture industry is described by the former French producer, Henri Diamant-Berger, in a special article in 'La Victolre,' French- language, pro-DeGaulle weeldy pub- lished in New York. Diamant-Berger, wlio fled from the Continent after the downfall of France, paints a very revealing pic- ture of conditions in the French fllm industry where Nazi control is com- plete and where the role of the Frenchman has been relegated to that of a stooge. The former French producer tells of Danielle Darrieux, Maurice (^v- alier, Mistinguett Sacha Guitry, Harry Bauer, Yvonne Printemps and other French stage and screen stars well known to American audiences. The veil of mystery surrounding Maurice Chevalier is not lifted by Diamant-Berger who says that the French star tried to come to the U. S. in July, 1040, but was refused passage through Spain because 'he had once sung at a Spanish refugee benefit. Therefore he wrote a news- paper article condemning those who had left France and whom he could not join.' He adds tliat Chevalier married Jewish Nita Raya, his stage partner at the Casino de Paris, who lias t>een known to be his close friend for some years. Chevalier, he points out at first refused to return to Paris but that "Vichy pressured him under the threat of conflscating liis prop- erty. He yielded. Asked to sing in Berlin, he countered by asldng that he lie permitted to sing on a tour ot prison camps in Ciermany. He was refused and according to the latest news has not gone to Berlin.' Baaer In Berlin Prison Of some of the questionable 'Aryans,' Diamant-Berger writes: "Despite his repeated currying, Sacha Guitry Jias been eliminated from the screen by his German masters, who are sufficiently clarified on his racial origins . . . Nevertheless Charles Trenet has l>een declared an 'Aryan' ot honor ... he has so many friends . . . Mistinguett trying to forget the memory of her mother, Madame Kohn, is ready to yield . . . Harry Bauer, whose son Cecil is valiantly fighting with the Free French forces, has wound up in a Berlin prison for having hidden his non-'Aryan' origins." "Corinne Ludiaire was furnished by her father to Otto Abetz ^hile Edwige Feuillere rememliered tliat she is Italian . . . Yvonne Printemps has tteen fortunate and continues to work with Pierre Fresnay, who never made any mystery about his Fascist sympatliies, although every' one believed him to be a patriot . . . -Paris-has announced new fllms with Femand Gravey (Gravet), Alerme and Raimu. who cannot resist the lure ot a large salary . . .' Diamant-Berger shows great ad miration for other French picture figures who have refused to yield to German pressure. He writes: Bway Befases' to Tleld Trancoise Rosay has courageously refused to retract her appeal to Ger' man mothers in her broadcasts of 1040. She lost all her jewelry, furs and belongings in th e bomb tng -tX Orleans. Now she is supporting her' self by going on tour in small Swiss theatres with her playwright-hus- band, Jacques Feyder ... In the South, Pierre Blanchar, Pierre Lar- quey and Claude Dauphin has defi- nitely refused all collaboration.' Pict producer and director Marcel Pagnol is severely scored by Dia- mant-Berger. He writes that he put himself in solid with Vichy from the start by including a long apology by Marshal Petain in his pict "La Fille du Puisatier* ("The Well-Digger's Daughter'), which was reproduced early in 1041. He adds that Tagnol did not have to wait very long for liis recompense. However, his studio in Marseilles suddenly caught Are. Then the playwright Jean Giono, al- though a pacifist slapped his face and withdrew ail rights to his worlis on which Pagnol had been living for years.' Diamant-Berger accuses the Ger- mans of unlimited brutalities. He reports that 'it appears to l>e con- firmed that K^ri Jeanson, one of our best dialogists, was killed by the Nazis firing squad. This great polemist was a writer of class, but he was also a troublesome character . . The Germans also shot Jolly, chief machinist in the Pathe studios, as a hostage.' Some time is devoted by th* writer to some of the Quislings ot the French industry. He calls Palve the King of the French cinema. Tills adventurer was saved from imminent failure by the war. He rushed to Berlin from the moment of the debacle where be found all the paper money necessary to absorb hia disappeared or eliminated competi- tors.' Of Raoul Ploquln and others he comments: 'Head of the French fllm industry, Raoul Ploquin, who pre- viously had French fllms in Berlin... to help him they found a poor fellow named Chemmel and a mediocre as- sistant named Roland Toual, hu8l>and ot the former Hollywood cutter Denise Batcheff, who was called back to Paris. Another producer ot Italian origin, Roger Richebe, gets his revenge for his previous produc- tion setbacks in Paris. He did 'Madame Sans Chens' with Arletty, although he neglected to acquire the fllm rights which l>elong to Para- mount... but why ijother? He states that Edmond GreviUe megged 'Une Femme dans la NullT CA Woman in the Night') to a suc- cessful conclusion only to have it suspended because he was found to be of English origin. Commenting on the industry in general, Diamant-Berger writes: "The gi^eatest weakness of French films are their poverty, liad sound track, poor technical quality and censorship difficulties. Paul Marlon's French censorship is obtuse and seeks principally to obtain constant allusions to the new order and Ita benefits. Furthermore the (Jermana demand the translated texts of all scenarios before they are produced. This confrol prevents any thought word or image to slip through which might recall some of the lost brUU- ance of the French production of three years ago." Diamant-Berger reveals that the Gemftns - attempted -46 ameliorate these production difficulties by or-, dering the French Consul In Los Angeles to offer appetizing contracts to French actors and directors la Hollywood if only they would return to France. The order was talthbilly executed,' he writes, 'and it wgs even accompanied by threats or reprisals^ but the invitation remained un- answered.' He says that the'only French meg- ger of any class collaboratlhg wiUi the (lermans is Marcel Came, who is 'of doubtful' backgroimd. * CommenUng on the obligatory ex- hibition of German pictures In Fren ch showcases .^ Diamant-Berger writes that 'no way has yet been de- vised to oblige French spectators to buy tickets when (Serman lUms are shown,' He adds that the'French again outwitted the Germans when the latter ordered the destruction of French fllms produced before 1937 in order to give their own fllms a better chance by 'changing the title ot old films, which have been presented as new picts.. .and if they can arrange certain complicities, Uie frick suc- ceeds often enough.' Diamant-Berger saves his parting shot for another crack at Marod Pagnol, He says: 'Shortly after the defeat the misery was so great among the de- mobolized technicians that Pierre Du- vivier asked his brother Julien to appeal to American professionals to come to the aid of their French col- leagues. The Americans generously answered the appeal but Marcel Pag- nol refused to be the treasurer of this charitable work because he claimed the money from Hollywood was 'Jewish,' so the project had to be abandoned.' The Payoff London, Aug. 21. As result of their success In a. short Revnell and West, local femme comedy vaudeville team, have been promoted to a full-length feature. (Company is Realm Pic- tures, headed by (Seorge Stone and Jolm Fancy, with epic to start shoot- ing early in Novcmlier. Supporting them is ancthcr vaude actor, Donald Peers.' Picture is to cost $80,000, with eon. tract carrying proviso that Redd Davis directs.