Variety (Jul 1944)

18 INTERNATIONAL •VAWKTVS' LONDON OFFICE S St. Martin - * I'layf. Tr»f»l«T 8quar« AH Film Prod. Halted in Argentine By Producer-Exhib Quota Squabble •"Argentine film production- is—at a* ■•standstill-due to a producer-exhib- itor'-: quota*controversy. Producers >re demanding one-third.of all first- xwn Buenos Aires, playing time, and 50% of all subsequent bookings at a Second Front Holds Up Work on 2 British Pix 40% setting price for the entire lm<F- iro of domestic films in that country This is what Sam Seidelman, United Artists general manager for the Ar- gentine and Latin-American super- visor, reported in N. Y. late last W Exhibitors refuse to give in to these demands, even threatening to turn their houses over to government operation if necessary. Argentina is the only country in Latin or South America, where film grosses have not risen above pre-war levels, Seidel- man-said, blaming the situation on the nation's isolation from the war. poor exploitation of. product; and double and triple feature programs at the majority of cinema houseSi During 1943-44, local producers made only 35 pictures, with the re-' suit that U. S. product is: garnering 70% of the playing time in that country, while Argentine product is netting only 20%, and all other- nation films dividing up the remain- ing 10%. , . „ There are no post-war plans being made by any industry in Argentina, including motion pictures, because of the unsettled internal political situa- tion, he said. Seidelman will remain fit N Y, for a month, and then go to Hollywood before returning to his Buenos Aires headquarters. donr June 15. Second front has caused further labor shortage, already acute. This has halted production on "Perfect Strangers," Alexander Korda picture which was originally to be produced by Wesley Ruggles for Metro. Ruggles quit over differences with Korda, and latter now plans to direct. Also delayed is Gabriel Pascal's "Caesar and .Cleopatra/' by Bernard Shaw, jointly directed by Pascal and Brian Desmond Hurst. Denham Film studios already is engaged for 35 weeks on film. Top Concert, Theatre Names Balk Deals For New Argentine Season Buenos Aires, June 15. ' Local concert and theatre manage- ments insist that exaggerated reports In the U. S. press about conditions in —ATgentina-are-responsibleJarahe-Oiz. luctance of top names to leave the States for appearances here. Result is that plans for the new season, look extremely weak on marquee appeal. Topflight instrumentalists, singers and others who have received offers from here this year have asked ^prices so much higher than previ- ously that the impression is clearly conveyed that there's something else besides cash worrying them. Price idea has been made the basis in or- der to avoid having to give a -flat turn-down. Local managements and radio outlets also have found that the present prosperous situation of theatre and concert circuits in U. S, is hitting them because the .Argen- tine peso is even weaker now than a year ago compared to the dollar. Rank Setting Own Rep Chain London, June 23. To what lengths J. Arthur Rank is: prepared to go ,to put British films on the map in the U; S. is seen in his arrangement with Myron Selz- nick agency to find artists and writers for a. chain of rep theatres in .small towns in various parts of England. First of these rep com- panies already has been recruited and soon will start staging new plays at Worthing where it . will be SET PLANS FOR NEW MONTREAL PIC CO. Montreal, July 11. 'Montreal's first major motion pic- ture producing enterprise made its official bp\v .here.last.' week.at a din- ner attended by Mayor Adhemar Raynault and officials of the new company. It is Renaissance Films; distribution will be by France-Films, which has "been releasing French films here for a number of years and which operates the St. Denis, 2,500- seater. •'; ■ ■',.[ . - ' ' Also, in attendance at the dinner was Madeleine Ozeray, French film star, here from the Argentine, to which she escaped after the fair of France. With her are Paul Cambo and Marcel Chabrier, who will handle -leading-roles .with Miss Oz- eray. Fedor Ozep w ill direct Renais- sance Films' first picture,. "Le Pere Chopin," which will enter production at St. Laurent, hear-by suburb, of Montreal, shortly. Ozep has made a number of films in France, notably those 1 starring Harry Bauer. Charles Phillip is producer of the new organization, whose films will be designed for presentation in Canada and in France when that country is cleared of Germans. Eng- lish versions of the pictures by Renaissance Films will be made later. ■■ '"-. U's Mclntyre Lauds Gratis U.S. Films in S. Pacific; Helps Their B.O. Aussie Nixes Early BMg. Of Theatres Postwar Sydney, July 11. Australian government has ne- gated effdrts : on any early postwar attempt to erect additional theatres by local circuits or U. S. distributors who seek to break into exhibition here. Prime Minister Curtin has de- creed that housing plans come first and then industrial building expan- sion.. •■''-.;'. ;•■ Understood that Aussie govern- ment officials are now watching any further moves by major circuits to buy out interests in minor theatre chains via stock, transfer. Future deals must have the okay of the Fed era! Treasurer. Raiding by U. S. Films For Spanish Dubbing Arouses Mex Industry Hollywood has created a furore in -in iwi*wi#.an film*inHudrv hv nab- National Theatre For Australia Mulled Plans, for a national theatre, broached this Winter by a group of drama patrons known as the Austra- lian National Theatre Movement, are proceeding despite difficulty in get- ting political support during war- times. Movement,, which hopes for government aid in bringing Austra- lian talent before the public, already has received an offer of about $300.- 000 from ahanonymous business man for a theatre building, prov ided suit- able site can be found. Offer has further strings, involving mainte- nance and management, solution be- jng to approach the feuera'r govern- ment for-subsidy. ':.-'. Prime Minister Curtin is reported- ly opposed to formation of an offi- cial. National Theatre, believing that subsidizing of local repertory thea- tres is more effective. His reason is thought to be that Australia has no one centre of art, and that the six State capitals provide whatever focal, points there are for central direction. Last week a project for a national theatre in N. Y. was announced with '.he gift of 8100,000 by producer John Golden as the impetus..; permanently housed in the local house. As quickly as other spots can be found, and artists put under contract, the hew organization will expand indefinitely. , ' Thus far no official announcement has been made by Gaumorit-British or. other film companies controlled by Rank, the venture being nomi- nally an independent move by David Henley, London rep of the Selznick outfit. H° wever > understood that the repertory idea has been launched for the sole purpose of developing new screen personalities and potential scenarists. :-.•'■■:, .:'' ..-'';.,_ Unlike the custom of • film conv pahies backing stage productions in exchange for acquiring the film rights, Rank is less interested in the film possibilities of such new plays as developed by his rep companies than he is in discovering new tal- ent. ■ .'■•'' ' . Obviously, if a play turns out to be effective screen material it will be adapted, and put into production as a film. But the basic idea is to concentrate on scripts giving the embryonic film stars the greatest possible chance to show how good they are. Aussie Showmen's Postwar U.S. Talks the Mexican film™ industry by nab bing almost 50 top Mex stars for Use in U. S. pictures which will be dubbed for the foreign market, Wal- ter Gould, United Artists foreign manager, reported in N. Y. last week on his return from' a six-week trip to that country. . That the situation is slowly being straightened Out was admitted by Gould, but he add ed that the "raid- ing" has definitely left scars that will not<be healed for some time. Rathvon, Mexican Film Chiefs Huddle on Prod. ■ Hollywood, July 11. Mexican capitalists' are huddliiig here with N. Peter Rathvon, RKO prexy, about the financing of the studio in Mexico City, in which RKO holds a 50% interest. In the huddle are Eduard. Villa- senor, president of the Bank of Mexi- co, and Emilio Azcarrago. heavily in- terested in films and radio.. UA's initial.Mexican production by Dudley Murphy. "The Bell of My Village," has been completed, and will be distributed shortly. Film, based on a Satevepost story, stars Pedro Armandafez.;'- Mexican-films garnered one-third of all Mexico City first-run playing time during 1943-44, nabbing 40% of all film revenue during that period. These pictures totaled 22% of all re- leases booked into these houses, a big gain for their industry, and a situation unheard of three years ago. Result, he added, is that U. S. product will soon be dubbed in greater amounts than heretofore to combat the financial inroads made by these foreign pictures. Gould called tor a wider perspective in the production of Hollywood films %ith "an eye to worldwide distribution, pointing, out that in the postwar .there-will-be a strong battle for busi- ness by all nations. Trek of American film officials from Australia for huddles and con- fabs in N. Y, is reportedly tied in with postwar prospects and develop- ments Down Under. Arrival of Harry Hunter, Paramount's manag- ing director in Aussie, and Norman B. Rydge, chairman of Greater Union Theatres, one of two major circuits in.Australia,-'.will'swell the total. Not known when they will*reach N. Y. In the meantime. Herb Mclntyre; Universal's managing director there, came on to N. Y. this week from the Coast where he-^i rived . last week. Ralph Doyle. RKOs manag ing direc- tor in Australia, Slill is in NTYTITHv- ing been here for about. a month. Remains for the annual sales confab later this month. Herschel Stuart, National Theatres rep in Hoyts cir- cuit, also still is in the U. S., and may stay over for the 20th-Fox con- vention. ... Nick Pery, Columbia's manager in Aussie, only recently returned to Sydney after "homeoffice- confabs. Rydge is expected not only to look over the product setup but also is understood interested in any new technical developments " (available postwar) such as television, im- proved sound and film for his theatre setup. • ;.-'-. ; ■, Half of Australia's population of - 7,000,000 attends .the film theatre . weekly in that country's biggest mo- tion'picture boom in history, Here G, Mclntyre, Universal managing director for Australasia, reported in 'N. Y.-yc sterday (Tuesda^J . It is his first' visit here in seven years. Tastes among natives there are -:■: much the same as in U. S, with comedies and big musicals leading, he said. Films are getting longer runs than usual today, from, seven to eight weeks in .irst-run houses. Three to four weeks was the aver- age tops for a picture before. The eight major U. S. companies have supplied 177,000,000 feet of film for Allied troops gratis in the Pacific to date, and in advance of Austra- lian release. Result has been, ac- cording to Mclntyre, a big letter- writing barrage to Australians and New Zealanders, and strong grosses for these Alms. There is little do- mestis production in Australia, with "Rats of Tobruck," produced by : Charles Chauvel, currently t.he only picture in work. Columbia Pictures plans to produce a film on the life of Kmgsford Smith. , Mclntyre reported that exhibitors exercise their 25% cancellation priv- ilege against U. S. product mainly by turning down horror films. He revealed that an ad valorem duty, against the industry is on the Fed- eral agenda. On his return to Australia, he w ill stage a 25th arini campaign for U. Mclntyre: years ago inaugurated a Provident Fund (pension plan) for U employees Down Under, which he believes has resulted in better work from everybody in his organization. He has augmented this fund each year by donating half of his own salary to it. South African Govt. Legislates For Compulsory Native-Made Pix By JOE HANSON Cape Town, May 22. South African government is in- while in Cape Province admission prices are taxed at 33 1-3%. - Films classed as "Educational" (embracing propaganda, history, ^^S^JI^m^S&0m^ : h$£$W Se- duction in South Africa of more Id- special board, are admitted duty'f vote' for" D4W8y- m , "'Vpte Politicos Continued from page 1 cally made films. Industry is given two years in which to provide at least, ten minutes' South Africa film in every program. If at conclusion of two years industry is not making 52 shorts per annum, government threatens to invade film production industry and produce government- made films. Industry considers this most unfair, as at present it considers itself doing good production job. Regular news- reels are being turned out weekly in English and Afrikaans (Dutch) languages, in addition to at least 15 to 20 shorts per annum On various yi ilnj p>is ( - j ri ^1 lid in 0 propaganda vftlms. During debate in the House, mem- bers of Parliament spoke on alleged bad effect of U, S.-produced films on language, and culture of South African youth. Joke is.'..that films provide large source of"revenue for Government. Customs duty is levied at sixpence per foot for first copies and half for second and other copies, free. Members accused industry of defrauding government of revenue by inclusion of subjects like "Mrs. Miniver," "Blossoms in the Dust" and the "Moon is Down" in this class. Showmen here strongly resent this allegation but result will probably-be tightening up on educational certifi- cates. ': - '■: ■.-.■'■'. 'v.. :-, Current London Shows London, July 11. "Arsenic & Old Lace," Strand. All Star Variety, Palladium. "Blithe'spirit," Duchess. T "G'nite Ladies,'; Whitehall. ..,-: '•Gypsy Princess,'' Saville. -. "How're They at Home," Apollo "Ideal Husband," Westminster. . "Mrs; Cheyney," Savoy. "Love Racket," Princes;. "Old Chelsea," Winter Garden. "Quiet Weekend," Wyndhams. "Sweeter Lower," Ambassador. intend injecting a showmanship hypo a la "Wintergreen for President," to replace the previous gabfests which, at'best, had a limited audience ap- peal regardless of-how rabid a fol- lowing the speakers commanded. Latter was particularly pointed up at the recent G.O.P. Chi conclave, where the showmanship element was so lacking that, so far as the average listener was concerned, it wasn't far removed from a Chautauqua clam- bake/ Through the 13-week cycle of con- tinuity of broadcasts, the political, chieftains hope to reach out to the majority of the nation^ voters by ■»w with a for Roose velt" (FDR only yesterday, Tues., confirmed his willingness to hop on for a fourth ride) commercial to re- place the Coca-Cola, Ivory Soap, et al, plug. Behind the/move is the feeling that the political parties must adopt a strategy keyed to the listening public's habits, and that resorting to the cut-and-dried oration technique will only invite people already sold on their part/ affiliation but' dis- courage newcomers to the fold. As pointed out by one of the Demo- cratic biggies: "We aim to. do a job that' will reflect to the credit of radio and to the candidates them- selves.'' In view of the tight nighttime sked on NBC and CBS, expectations are that Mutual and the Blue will get the biggest network play, . with the. G.O.P. biggies: currently setting a deal with Mutual for the' initial 13- week series. - ,' The "spot announcement" tech- nique.'as detailed elsewhere .in ''Va- riety," will also play a . prominent role in'the summer-fall campaign. '., New Zealand Sees —-Legit for 1 st Time In 3 Years; Big Hit '■';■•'■ ''■;•:; Auckland, N. Z., July 11. New Zealand, getting its first legit entertainment in three years, has been packing houses .every where for the repertory troupe headed by'Neva Carr Glyn and Lloyd Lamble. Troupe, flown in from Sydney. Aus- tralia, in April, when the government lifted its war ban on travel, is here for a six months' season, playing Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Duneeden as well as one-iiight- ers in the nabes. In getting permis- sion to bring troupe in on two sea- planes, E.-J. Tait transported an en- tire company by air for first time here.. c v ' • Company, playing the J. C. Wil- liamson theatres chain, is doing "Claudia," "Arsenic and Old Lace," "Susan and God," "Kiss and Tell" and "The Man Who Came to Dinner." Opening its visit with a benefit per- formance of "Claudia" for blinded soldiers in His Majesty's theatre. Auckland, on April 5. troupe cleared 1,000 pounds (about $3,000). Last legit troupe to tour New Zea- land was a Gilbert and Sullivan company. 'Not Neutral Enough' For Eire, 'Army' Banned Irving Berlin's "This Is the Army" (WB) has been banned in Lire, ac- cording to word received by Root it Schless, home office foreign depart- ment chief, because "it was not neu- tral enough." -., Schless added that more than half of films produced in Holly wood since the war started have been barred from exhibition in that country for this reason.. . ; ' ■ ' ■■; •■':->/; :■ Kilroe's Mex Chore ; Hays office last week designated E dwi^ -'.P. Kilroe, chairman of its copyright committee, to represent the film industry at. the third con- ference of the Inter-American Bar Assn. scheduled for July , 31-Aug.. ,8 in Mexico City. Copyright -matter's in connection With intellectual and industrial property will be con- sidered. .•:■' ■ Kjlroe was instructed to make a survey of Mexican copyright, law so that he might make suggestions for amendments which would eliminate any present difficulties iiv.distribut- ing U. S. films in Mexico.