Variety (May 1945)

Wednesday* May 2, 194S PICTURES RANK-GO L D W Y N-SELZNICK? U. S. Pk Told That British Raw Fib Allocations to Be Cut 20-30,000,000 Feet U S film distribution and produc-- ► tion reps stated in New York early this week that British raw film allo- cations for U. S. companies are to be cut by some 20,000,000 to 80,000,000 feet and that U. S. exports of Tech- nicolor pictures to Sweden from England would have to be stopped as a result. U S. industry execs said that it was "pretty definite" that American distributors will find their raw stock allocations in England reduced by the British Board of Trade. Tn some quarters it is believed that the raw film deducted from U. S. allocations will be made avail- able to British producer-distributors such as J. Arthur Rank. Rank would thus be able to print up in England some of the features al- ready set for U. S. distribution for which raw stock may not be avail- able here. Since the War Production Board has sharply curtailed all indepen- dent production allocations Rank might be allocated film for possibly • two pictures, at best. In any event Rank's status under WPB aim allo- cations, like many a U..-S. Indepen- dent producer, is not clear since United Artists was deprived of its entire, film allocation. INTER-AMERICA AGENCY -AFTER11;806,000MORE San Francisco, May 1. Francis Alstock, head of the film division of the Office of Inter-Amcr- ican Affairs, is In Washington today (Tucs.), appearing before a "Con- gressional Budget Committee to get . an appropriation of $1,800,000 for next fiscal year; -•■ Alslock, who has been chief aide to Mike • McDermott, State Dept. press relations officer, flew out of here Monday (30) and is due back here Wednesday (2) to resume his post, With coin that is as yet unex pended, but pledged from previous • budgets, O.I.A.A. will have around $2,500,000 to expend on film produc- tion and distribution to our world , neighbors.... ' . Traits-Lux Circuit May " Total 30 Houses Postwar Trans-Lux is slowly but carefully developing what promises to be the largest independent theatre circuit on the Atlantic seaboard. While T-L officials discpunt reports of a chain having 50 theatres soon after the war as out of line with present pros- pects, the expansion after V-E Day may result in a chain of at least 30 houses. Trans-Lux now has about 10 theatres, including its projected ones ill Washington, and on Madison ave., New York. T-L has a minority interest in several operations in addition, such as the Normandy on East 63d st., N. Y., but Trans-Lux does not con- sider these a part of its circuit operations, rating chain theatres only those where they hold 50% or more interest. . In construction of new theatres for. its circuit, T-L is making pro- vision for television. Pix Dinys Up in March Washington, May 1. March was a heavy month for film industry dividends, according to Dept. of Commerce. figures. Stock- holders received $4,000,000 as con- trasted with $1,700,000 for the same month in 1944. During the first quarter of 1045, industry dividends hit a record of $4,600,000. which was $500,000 bet- ter than the first quarter of last year. Jones Heads New Distrib Group . . Chicago, May 1. Organization of Screen Guild Productions, Inc., new. national dis- tributing company, was completed here today with John J. Jones, head of Jones, Linick & Schacfer Theatre Circuit; and Film Classics franehise .holder here, elected president. Com- pany, a Delaware corporation capi- talized at $1,000,000, has a unique financial setup with franchise-hold- ers owning and controlling its com- plete corporate stock. Preliminary framework of com- pany wits originally laid at a meet- ing^ in St. Louis last January under" the name of Cardinal Pictures Corp., which was changed to the present name at a two-day meeting held at the Blackslonc hotel and attended by franchise-holders of 2G territories.- Company plans to operate 31 ex- changes, including one in Canada, getting under way almost immedi- ately. First release of new outfit will be "Wildfire" on June 1. a western i:i. Cinecolor. produced by William David, with John Miljan, Bob Steele and Sarah Padden in the cast. Three addtional action pictures from same source will, follow. Company plans to release at least one new Holly- wood film each month, beginning Sept. l t Full program for a year in advance is expected to be announced in next 60 days. Sales organization will be set up and headquartered in New'York. Other officers elected are John W. -Maugham,- Arthur --Lockwood and Robert Lippert, vice-presidents; John L. Franconi, secretary, and M. S. Schulter, trcas. These with Bert Steam. Jack aud J. Francis White also compose the board of directors Koblmar's 2 at 20th Hollywood, May 1. Fred Kohlmar inked a producer Pact with 20th-Fox yesterday (30) with "Dark Corner" and "When Leo Lomcs Marching. Home" set as his first two chores. . Kohlmar until recently was pro- ducing for Paramount. Steve EarlyV Spot Steve Early's assignment in Wash- ington, following his White House resignation, will be on behalf of the £Ullman Standard Equipment Co. ■jus is part of the Victor Emanuel * Co. underwriting business, but emphasis will be on the Pullman out- Early Is a former Paramount man. W00S BABY CARRIAGE TRADE AT DRIVE-IN Rochester, N. Y., May 1. Manager Gradon Hodges, whose Drive-in theatre has a particular appeal for handicapped persons be- cause they can remain comfortably, in their automobiles, is making a special play for mothers With small babies. While the tiny squawkers are barred from Other theatres, manager Hodges reverses the field by offering a bottle-warming service at the rc- Jreshment stand. Children, formerly admitted free with their parents, now pay 12c, same as in downtown theatres. Adult rate is half a buck. Earliest opening in Drive-In . his- tory- here resulted in excellent busi- ness despite some chilly evenings. Wallis'N. Y. Huddles In connection with production of "The Life of Tschaikovsky," story of Russia's great composer, Ha) Hallis, now in N. Y., will huddle with Leon- ard Bernstein, conductor and com- poser, who may collaborate on the story, and Vladimir Horowitz,, fa- mous pianist,who may offer Tschai- kovsky's immorUil-.sonata in the pic- ture. Details on general release of "Af- fairs . of Susan," current at the Rlvoli, N. Y., and "Love Letters" and "You Came Along," which are al- ready in the can, are under discus-' sion with Par execs. MAYBE IN TOO Hollywood, May 1. With proposals ' for a worldwide distribution setup, covering Eng- land, the United; States and Latin America, J. Arthur Rank is due in Hollywood May 14/Plans which he will lay before several producers arc expected to be for three separate distribution organizations, one for each continent. Rank is understood to have broached the idea to Samuel Gold- wyn whehv latter was in England several weeks ago and the. British producer's emissaries also reportedly laid the groundwork here to include David J. Selznick and the Briskih- Capra production unit, also several others who are anxious for an out- let for their forthcoming product. Talk that Selznick has wanted to take over the United Artists setup points to Rank possibly putting up the heavy coin needed to buy out Mary Pickford and Charles Chap- lin's shares. However, Selznick is shopping around to establish his own distribution firm which can lead to Rank putting money "into such an organization; with Goldwyn Capra- Briskin and other- companies in-, eluded. Rank said to be looking ahead with the producers affiliated with him to make a minimum of 15 films annually with his English and Latin- American sources supplying the balance to-bring "the - total to' about- 35 films per year. Goldwyn recently inked to release several films for another year through RKO, while Selznick has been indifferent to distributing through UA. sort of setting himself for his own production and distri- bution units when he could go full steam ahead. 5 '' ' .. Although no deal has been set, UA has been endeavoring to get C. D. DeMillc to. release through its out- lets and Ed Raftcry has also ogled Capra-Briskin. J. Arthur Rank, when he arrives here this month, will make his first Hollywood visit. He gets into. Mon- treal first, accompanied by his at- torney, Woodham Smith; the Odeon Theatres' g.m., John Davis; and Bar- ring ton Gain, one Qf .his prime film executives. The first show biz mis- sion is to- 0.0. the Odeon Theatres 'of Canada (Paul Nath'anson) in which Rank owns half interest, but primarily he is surveying his Cana- dian mill holdings. Thereafter the party is due to come to the States and eventually wind up in Hollywood. Around that time UA will prob- ably release "Blithe Spirit" (Noel Coward produced it in London) and 20th-Fox. has one more, "The Way Ahead." due. (From London last (Continued on page 34) Foreign Powers Aim Strong Blows At U S. Pix Abroad; Block More Coin In France, Gov't Monopolies, Curbs Kane and Stallings' Pic Productions Via Rank Robert T. Kane, former head of 20th-Fox production In London, and Laurence Stallings are due to engage In English film production shortly. Release reported via J. Arthur Rank- Metro's British production chief, Ben. Goetz, slated to go over this week to start things moving also. Brasshats O.K. 'Adano' Pic Hollywood, May 1. Official okay was bestowed by the Department of War on the 20th-Fox film version of "A Bell for Adano," after a close inspection by military biggies. Government didn't like the book or the stage pli\v, but passed the pic- ture without censoring a single scene. Capra-Briskin's Corp. Sacramento, May 1. Liberty Films filed articles of in- corporation here, listing Col. Frank Cap'ra and Samuel Briskin as direc- tors. Capital stock is listed at $1,000,000, of which $750,000 is preferred and $250,000 common. It's presumed Bob Riskin, cx-OWI, will Join this unit. Film Charities' New Plan Hollywood, May 1. Permanent Charities Committee is consolidating all film industry char- ity drives into one annual campaign, based on payroll deductions on the wistallmcnt plan, running up to 52 weeks. . New plan will go into effect as soon as it is approved by the studio guilds and unions. French Pix Bid At Expense of U. S. Drastic curtailment of U. S. film shipments to France, being planned by officials of the film division of the French Ministry of Information, is construed in N. Y. as a move to open up. more playing time for British, Russian and other European films. Reported .that France plans to limit the U. S. industry to 25-30 features semi-annually as compared tvith98 senii-annually'prtfCvaf.' While no official decree has been issued as yet, that's the word relayed by U. S. fiun reps in France. Thus, the 10-year battle for leader- ship in the international motion pic- ture markets, predicted by U. S. film leaders (previously reported in "Va- riety") is under way. Possibility, of course, that the 25 or 30-picture limit may be raised: But, in any event, U. S. trade circles foresee complications ahead^for divi- sion of playing time with other powers in France and elsewhere. Aside from the move to open up more playing time for films from non-Americun sources, French reps arc also reported moving to assure a greater proportion of playing time for native films in France and else- where throughout Europe. With the market for French-language films Jiesftssariljk.limited,; the- opening, ofua. larger market for British, Russian and possibly Italian and Spanish product would likewise result in reciprocal advantages for French films in those countries. ♦■ Snarling, bickering film interests abroad have struck: back at Uncle Sam's proffered friendship via inter- national monetary and trading aids and are aiming powerful blows de- signed to curb distribution of Ameri- can pictures in foreign countries. As positive monopolistic - nationalistic tendencies became manifest through- out ■ Europe (particularly where films, are. concerned), U. S. film company heads last . week found themselves confronted with the fol- lowing new trade barriers: 1. French ' Government officials (Ministry ol Finance) advised that the U. S. share of film rentals (around 75C;' after cost of operation of U. S. ; subsidiary offices in France is •deducted) is .to be placed in blocked account and will not be available for use even in France. 2.. Salaries of U. S. personnel in France, working directly for U. S; home ofilec account, arc being stopped and Will have, to be met via remittances from N. Y. in U. S. ■ funds. 3. Fascist Spain decreed that U. S. films cannot be distributed for American account for more tliun five years after first release date in Spain. The idea is to eliminate rental: deals on U. S. pictures and ' eventually force.- the outright sale of product.' ' 4. French Ministry of Information officials (film division is headed by officious, documentary film-minded (Continued on page 34) NEWSREELS' $150,000 FRISCO CONFAB BILL San Francisco, May 1, The conference cost to newsreels will run about $150,000 for the six- week period, which will include sharing of light costs and installa- tions in. the Opera House and Vet- eran Building theatres. Cost runs the five reels, Paramount, News of Day, Movietone, Universal and Pathe, around $5,000 a week each, exclusive of film costs. Boys. have been shooting average of 15,000 feet a day allotted out of their quota, while the. Russians alone shoot 4,000 feet a day, getting shot?, of every speaker through their entire slay on dais while Americans try and pick only the high spots of talk for photographing the image, Two Bills in N. Y. Confab Bill Pine and Bill Thomas, produc- ing low-budget features for Para- mount, are in N. Y. from the Coast, following a stopover in New Orleans, to discuss sales and advertising plans on "People Are. Funny." which they have just completed. This one has run higher in cost than others they have delivered to Par over a period of several years. Figure is not mentioned. . ' The Pine-Thomas team has an- other picture. "Scared Stiff," which has been placed in Par's new block of four pictures, its fifth group this season, which will go on release June 22. EMPLOYMENT DROPS, PK WORK TOO, IN CAL Sacramento, May 1. Employment in motion picture production took a nosedive last month, partly on account of the strike and partly because of the gen- eral labor slump in this state, ac- cording to .the California Labor Statistics Bulletin. Employment in the studios reached the lowest level since 1940. ■ General employment boom in California is a thing of the past, as indicated by., statistics/for all- manu- facturing in the state. Shipyards and aircraft plants showed a de- crease of -15% below last years fig- ures. Trade Mark Reslotered FOUNDED BV 8IME STLVRKMAN Publltlxd Wetkl; by VAHIKTV. Inc. Bid Ullvormao, Prculdcnl 154 Wcsl 4811181., New fori! 19. N. T, sunscnir-rioN Annual JI0 Foreign til Single '.'opIOH ...,25 Cents Vol. 158 120 No. 8 INDEX 7th War Loan.;: 4 Bills 59 Chatter .. 63 Film Reyicwr.. 27 House Reviews............. '38 Inside Legit. d'l Inside Music .,", ....,.:. 54 Inside Orchestras........... 51 Inside Radio 48. International . i . r... 19 Legitimate GO Literati 36 .'Music ..: 51 New Acts 59 Night Club'Review" • 56 Obituary 63 Orchestras ... .. 51 Pictures 3 Radio SB Radio Reviews 50 Frank Scully: 2, Television ... . . > 43 Vaudeville 55 War Activities.,'..-. 31 DAILY VAKJKTK (Published In Hollywood by Dally Variety. Ltd.) tin * rear—sis Foreign