Variety (Sep 1944)

Wednesday, September 6, 1944 P&RIETY PICTURES • D.C. AID TO FILM BIZ ABROAD Yanks Look Askance at Proposals To Regulate French Rim Industry American film interests ■ are plenty 4: .-steamed up at high-handed methods baing used by a trio of Frenchmen currently drawing up laws which will regulate the film industry of that country when the French pro- visional government • returns to Paris. Group has been appointed to work under the Comniissiariat of Infor- mation in Algiers and includes Henri Diamanl-Berger, Simon Schiffrm, prewar financial and production manager for several French film; companies, and M. Lob, who ""was manager of a circuit of newsreel theatres founded by Reginald Ford, an Englishman, in Paris before the war; •.:;>-•'.;.- ' : .'--"-- -.. ■■■ . . : ' Law's already .drafted and awaiting approyal provide lor the taking over of all theatres in France by a mar- shal and operated under government scrutiny until owners can prove they have not been collaborationists. The triumvirate reportedly has not. con- sulted with any U. S. film companies, or Americans' who have film indus- try interests in France. '.."■'. Objections raised by Frenchmen in this country and. elsewhere, who have theatre and production invest-' meni.i there, are based on fears that the theatres, and the industry, will ba operated by three comparatively obscure bureaucrats, who,' in the end, may be tossed out of their posi- . {ions when French again begin gov- erning themselves. They point out that majority of French exhibitors and important production toppers Vera Ho collaborationists. . It is felt by U. S. film company foreign dept. execs that French and American toppers should sit down and iron out industry problems aris- ing from the return.of Allied forces to that country. Some intimation is current that the trio have consulted with British film heads, who, inci- dentally, have a comparatively minor investment in the French film liiz. , ■U. S. execs pointful that pix to be screened in-French theatres'will, of necessity; -be Hollywood product lii tha main, with English pix in. the litinority. They ..seek: a better deal all around. ' 'v.-...'..'.'- ..' UA's Algiers Office United; Artists has opened offices, in Algiers; in line with plans for expanding distribution in North Africa and the Near East.- George Soulat has been appointed manager of the branch Office. :'-",'■■■ ; ■ ; AI Lowe, UA general, manager' in South Africa, has arrived, in Egypt to survey possibilities for exchanges in.Palestine and Syria Walks Set To Get From WB Phoney Oldie, 'Wilson And the Kaiser/ Irks 20th; Check Chiselers Annoyed over reports that some 0119 has dug up. old prints of a pic- ture called "Wilson or the Kaiser," which was made by the old Meti'o company (now Metro-Goldwyn- : 'Mayer') in 1918, and is booking it in theatres which make it appear that "Wilson;" new 20th-Fox picture, is on display, 20th is making a com- plete check of the situation. It's not the first time that sharpshooters, with prints ot oldies, have tried to oash in on fresh-market product. Tha 20th homeoftice during the past week sent memoranda to all its exchanges: apprising them''of the. re- ports received concerning this latest effort to trade on a new picture. Not long ago 20th-Fox came across an instance Where a small house, the Major, on 'CaHsal , street, N. Y., bought an old'Italian-made version of "Song of Bernadette" and played it concurrently with- the run of the 20th adaptation of the Franz Werfel hovel at the Rivoli, N. Y. Nothing: was 'done about- it, however. The charge on "Wilson or the Kaiser"- is ■ that theatres - falling for. it. are bill- ing the "Wilson" portion of the title prominently in advertising, burying the balance of the title, :.. Some years ago when Metro had "Tha Big House", oil release, if ran up against dates .of an oldie called "Penal Code" which was being played under that title but with at- tendant advertising copy 'calling ;it (Continued on page 13J ',' Vidor May Make Mexico Film •; Mexico City,-Sept. 5:, King Vidor.. Hollywood producer. While Harry M. Warner, is in New York, he is settling Hal B. Wallis' contract claims against Warner Bros. A cash figure of some $750,000, to be spread over several years,, is report- ed to have been decided upon. Wallis had a participating interest in the Warner Bros, pictures he had produced, released and unreleased. Among them are "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "Saratoga Trunk" and "Casablanca." Wallis' cut is said to call for 10°^ of the net profit after 'c6sts-plus-25T« ' of '..the- negative cost had been recouped. Loyd Wright has been legally rep- resenting him since Wallis broke away to become an independent film producer for.Paramount. -;.',"- ... . PLAYFUL COP CHAINS USHERETTE IN THEATRE ' Oakland, Sept. 6. ' A playful cop is no longer wear- ing, his siar: a-.diffident usherette is no longer.. wearing handcuffs; and the balcony in the Downtown, grind, is minus.a length of metal balustrade as a consequence of a sliglit con- tretemps: Friday night (,1V. Policeman Grover C. . Sloane thought it would be a lot of fun to cuff Wanda Cook. 18-year-old wife of a sailor in the, South Pacific, and an usherette at the. theatre, to the balcony 'rail. Then a sailor came along to inquire whys and where- fores. The cop and a chum ex- plained that Wanda was •locked fast and couldn't be, released^ "The hell she can't." replied the resourceful gob, as he pulled 'the rail loose from its moorings. Copper Sloane and friend departed without fisticuffs; unknown, sailor and Wanda .went to the jail house to report the incident. Net results: room for one more cop on the Oak- land force: decision not to sue on the part of Wanda: curiosity as to who will pay the bills by the Down- town management. MOVE TO OFFSET E Nick Schenck Coasting To Visit L. B. Mayer : -•■'?.; . Hollywood. Sept,. 5. Nicholas M.. Schenck gets In here from the east next week for a five- day, visit', during which time he will see; Louis B. Mayer, currently laid up at the Cedais of Lebanon hos- pital recovering from his. accident. . Schcnclc wilt also .'Spend some time . at Metro studio, conferring with Harold Hopper, Eddie Mannix and other, execs. Britain's Sharing Edict . London, Sept 5. Board of Trade- has -decided that as film, studios, are de-requisitioned by ,the Government, they must be shared, with producers whose stu- dios are still commandeered; by the •British authorities.■'"•'.' -; -• is hei-t!, and would like to. mafte.i'.j-. featifl8e''<S-il.!v'a-:i.00»;/ Mexican theme. | poc|ed.back at his. do He .would call it "Mexico." ■■■'. JOE COHN'S ILLNESS Hollywood. Sept. 5. . Joe Cbhn, Metro executive, has been ill' for the past week and away from live lot.as a re-tilt. Mci-jO topper, howdycr; is ex- 'csk .some .fiin'e Murine .the .next week.. , * \, ;■; By MORI KRUS1IEN In a move to help protect, solidify and. possibly extend opera- tions, of American motion picture companies abroad.- the Slaie .Depart- ment is reported considering definite action which aprjears likely to ef- fectively counter threats of "double taxation" (II. :S. plus foreign), higher custom, duties and restrictive quota barriers in the foreign field. One of the first plans- in consulta- tion with officials ol the U. S. In- ternal Revenue department may be the adoption of a • modification ii) current, tax' regulations (in. effect tantamount to - a reciprocity tax ar- rangement! whereby the .U. S; Treasury would forego the. U S. taxes on foreign filriis' distributed in America/. .-/.•'.•• .•'"•.''■'-'''".'.-,'■■ ,'-. . •''.. With the war rapidly drawing, to a close in Europe, American, motion picture industry leaders and De- partment of State officials have be- come more acutely aware of the rising tide of national film -produc- tion and distribution planning in various countries abroad. While not alarmed about the development and expansion of native production on the Continent or . elsewhere, State Department officials, are studying all developments which .would hin- der distribution of American films in the foreign markets.' ' : ... ';. ' ; This interest on -the part of the Goverfiment ' in maintaining . the position of ■ American motion pic- tures on the screens of the World is, of course, based on the conviction that trade follows the film. But, be- lieved to be of greater importance to America, is -the. value of the screen as an international builder of public opinion. - A Potent Force The war has brought home to bur Government: the full value, of the motion picture as perhaps , the most powerful : of . all; communications media in domestic affairs.. In .an ternatioiial affairs', since motion pic- tures more than American radio or newspapers can penetrate 'and re- main in circulation in' foreign coun- tries, the motion picture, has become easily the most, valuable of com- munications .media.. As General Marshall recently said, the Second World War has seen the develop- '.'".'■:.' (Continued; oil page 11) 'Tomorrow World' Keeps Stage Title for Film Hollywood. Sept..5. . , "Tomorrow the World".will be re- tained as title for fifmiza'tion of play by James Gow and Artiaud d'Usseau. Lester Cowan announced retaining of tag after '-'conducting poll of theatre- men.'' :.-'• .' ■-;••' ; •'.,"■-. Producer, wired press throUghbvH the country, asking whether he should keep the original handle or substitute "The Intruder."' By. check- ing oh. replies, he found that 63% favored the stage name; ...... N Ts Film Censor s Annual Report Sherman Buys Big Top • ■.; V Hoi ly wood,' Sept. 5. Harry A.. Sherman has: purchased four tops and 65 cages of menagerie, among other equipment, from.Cullen Bros. Circus, .for use in his prodoc- s tton. "The-Life of Tom Mix " Props and. paraphernalia became available recently when the -circus folded at Richmond, Calif. •:. UAto Ranks 7 Films At a meeting of the United Artists board of directors in New York yes- terday . tTues.V, Ed . Raftery, "VA prexy, announced, that- the board Unanimously approved' conclusion of a . deal with J. Arthur Rank for the distribution of seven'of Rank's British films in. the -"W'esterri Hemis- phere."/. -' - '■ '.:•■:••>:■■'.,' Deal was inaugurated' by Grad Sears, UA v.p. in charge of distribu- tion, during his recent visit to Lon- don. . -;: - - '.;'' ; ' : ; Barrington 1 Gain and Dr. Alexan- der Galper.son, Rank's representa- tives, are. in the U. S. to conclude all further details, such ai availability of pictures and selling plans. ■ :' •. Among the seven Rank pictures to be distributed by UA ara "Colonel Blimp" (Tech), two Noal Coward Technicolor productions ("Blithe Spirit" and ''This Happy Breed";, "Caesar, and ..Cleopatra" (Teclu. "Henry the. V." "Her Man , Gilbcy" and "Mr. Emmanuel." ' '. Gain..and Galperson set another, deal; with 20th-Fox, for th» release pt "The Way Ahead," Two Cities production, in., the U. S. and South America, It's a David Niven starrer. ■Albany, Seof S, Warm praise for (lie motion turo-.industry's part .in the war eifovr. is'-expressed by Irwin Esmond.: 'ii,-." rector of the division of motion pie-, ((-ires .of the' State Department oC Education, in his annual report;-tot'- the year ending March 31. 19-44. Tiij. veteran- director of the MPD. in tn.» report submitted to Commi-ssiiwiic- of Education George D, Stodd.3.:i/. also .commends the industry for tn* •"clearly recognizaole effort on thi». part of most producers to eooforitt: to the, statutory. requii'emeiit.>.'' for the review and .licensing, oi picnics. This conformity, Esmond points om, ■ has resulted in the lowered ilumbji' of eliminations the MPD is requiiy i'- to make in films submitted tor Pi- view. ': ,' ; -:;'-..' ■'.•:';;'.'-'■ Esmond also calls attention t» what he considers a welcome-de- velopment; a gradual diiniiiuiioh :>* the .tendency to "exploit certain pie- , tures improperly by means of advdr-. tising;" No proceedings for the re- vocation of the license of a theatra using improper advertising displayi were necessary during the past year. Esmond likewise, commends the. nio-. ' lion picture industry for marked, contributions to the cementing o' friendly relations with Central .Stii ■ South American countries, via ."a : continuous flow of films." Speaking of the screen's role in the war effort, Esmond says, ••Tim motion picture industry has'reason, to be proud of the part that. it hii played. A very considerable"portion' . Of its activities has been devoted Ui : .(Continued on page 11) MARY PICKFORD-COSLOW BUY 1 TOUCH OF VENUS' ' Hollywood, Sept. 5. -. ..Acting on behalf pf Mary Pick-ford and Sam'Coslow, Grad Sears has ne- gotiated a deal in. New York for the film rights-tp "Oiie Touch of Venus," thereby, starting'off latest indie pro- ducing setup. New combine is also dickering for two. mora current Broadway shows, - with'- "announce- ment of deals expected in few "days. "Venus" will be made in Technicolor as, one of high-budget specials for United Artists shortly after first pf year. .""!'•., Miss Pick ford's/last Venture 'was. a's-. co-produrer with Jesse Lasky on "One Rainy Afternoon," in 1936, and as producer of "The Gay Desperatlo,;" Coslow has obtained- release from Paramount pact, leaving to join the new film setup after Ills editing: chore, is completed oil "Out of This World."' MORE SHORTS INDICATE FEWER DOUBLE BILLS An indication that.. eastern;. tlw* aires in thickly-infested double-tea--; tui-e territories are beginning to bvi more, shorts than in. the past, m'.iia frequently turning to single .pictura programs when top pictures catms along., is borne out by : the fact tfjit the N. Y. exchange of 2()t'h-FoK,. manned by R. E, Moon,. has so fat- closed more contracts on briefies t?ad. Movietone News than any . othe-."' branch in the country. .. This is significant, since most ex- changes running- behind N. Y.:.afe serving, territories where single bill is; the exception to the rule ,i. a regular policy. 'Tomorrow' lour : "Tomorrow" \w 111 commone'e a fall tour in Wilmington Sept. 21. tour to run eight, to 10 weeks, or until pic version comes out. Drama Will play a week in Baltimore - and Philadel- phia ur.cfer Tiicaire Guiid .subscrip- tion, three weeks in the Quaker 'city. Principals .will -be- Paul McGrath, of the Chicago company, with Bar- bara RblVbins playing opposite. Juve' leads, wii: be Jolmny Venn, of the Broadway company., and. Joan Shep- aid, of the Glu group, . . Skouras to Coast Sjiyros Skouras.. Torn -Connors. Hal Home, et ai. plan a Coast visit end o'fthe week to look'at new "iOth-Fox product!-:" - ■ ::;•' .:. : Meantime, Darrvl. F. Zanurk .Wav due-to conic east lor the WaTtiinglo.ii premiere . ol ".WilSopf 5 along with George JcsseU who is doing a public relations job in bctueen film'rproduc-: I irig. Geraldinc FiugerHld and Aicx- andcr JKliox ai;-o .came east -i'or- the j D, ('.'. hoopla ii't. llie- Capitol theatre ' tomorrow' (Thui^.). ■ • Leigh's Illness Delays \ 'Caesar' Pic in England -V ■ -. ;-: London, .Sept.! 5. i Gabriel Pascal' -bas- -. postponed shooting date-of "'Caesar and .Cleo- i patra" because of illness of Vivien.. Leigh. .J ■ -/; :'-' ■'.;.:.-.: .: f'flriv gets under;way. in about three weeks. . ;:.".':.';■''.:.■ ,':■'■;/ ■';,.';'.' Toland to Return To Pix From Navy Post •.. : Holly..vood, Sept, 3 LI. Comdr. Gregg Toland v.ttl go' on the Navy: inaciive duty lUt- Nov-. 10. . Hp is currently on leave hoe, 1 A -Hollywood photographer. Toland : has- served in Brazil;. ■ Guatemala. Mexico, Honolulu, and . Washington during his 32 months in scrviif- "After iriattivation,-Toland Will re--, turn to .Samuel Goldwy.n orKaiir/a- •tton,, where he is under contract, Hi> I'u t afcsigntncnt WfU- toe?. 1 -Those JXj- 1 dearmg- Young Charnis," scheduled for production wln-n .CioJdw.vn com-' plfic; VuriTti: "the Wonder'Man," • 'Arwty TrinU Marit' He&Wr-. 1 . WiCXOKfl BY .SWtiS KILVKtlMAS- rill.lishccl WVclily ».V VAI!II:T\. Inr S'Hl .Hi-lvtrrmaii. .I'i-c^-i-m^ .. IS* vt-wii-■ifliii St., Kmv. v.. i-ii -i'>. v-.- v. : ■ 'SVBSCRU'TiaN. ,Ui»..ial ..»I0 .I'orpiKM *! Vol, 155 ,;,,.« .- ss'< Mi l >» ' No." 13 . DAII.V VAItU I \ n'ul.hslw-il. in H'lilvi <»'-•' Bjiify Vnrirt . 1.1 • Jin a. V«ir-$1.2 iWi-,si