Variety (May 1946)

THIBTt' TENDON Ot'F'ICK ■ tH. M»rtt»'» Flat*. Trafalgar B«w INTERNATIONAL IS Dtstribs Want to Know Where U.S. Educational Fix Are Dated Overseas Proposal of Ihe Slate Dept. as out- * lined by John Beggs in N. Y. about ' . month ago, tor educating the peo- ple of foreign' lands via 16m films, promises to be heavily revised downwards- Wore -'getting the green light from major company distrib- utors. After listening to Beggs' out- line of the arrangement for distrib- uting so-called educational type product, major company executives suggested that he prepare a list of the pictures he wanted to show pverseas and where they were to be exhibited via 16m. Reason for this action,; it's been explained subsequently, ' was that major distributors fear any hap- hazard dislrib arrangement might well come into conflict with regular exhibitors in the foreign market. It was fell that any such, result , would not only defeat the purpose of the Government in enlightening native residents, but would, sour exhibs on U. S. distributors. It was consid- ered a'- .bad policy to do anything that smacked of competition for regular theatres .right at a time when American' companies were at- tempting to restore normal distribu- tion in many foreign lands. . Culture Is Okay . Major d'Mribs are reported as be- ing perfectly agreeable to such 16m educational or semi-cultural films- being handled in outlying areas .where non-competitive for regular exhibs: This procedure was used with considerable success by the co- ordinator of Inter-American Affairs in Latin-America during the war, . since it gave out-of-way sections needed educational product that otherwise they .would be unable to sec. But for regular theatres, and. areas drawing people to established film houses, it's reported that dis- . trios feel regular American screen fare can be channeled easily through already established sources. Consequently. - the . specific plans of the State Dept. on' 16m distribu- tion in foreign lands obviously will be scanned closely when and if submitted to the company execs, to prevent conflict with regular 35-m theatres. Present intention of major • distribs, as voiced this. week, is to . prevent . any . friction with old-line exhibitors in all foreign lands. Columbia, U Rio Deals Rio de Janiero, April 30. : Columbia Pictures did not renew its contract with the Serrador thea- tre here but has shifted its product to the. Maraba, new deluxer. Subse- quent runs for Columbia films will play the Ritz. Roxy and Astoria. The. Serrador has signed up Uni- versal product for the 1946-47 season: Hex. Nat'i Film Week Mexico City. May 7. Fourth national motion picture week opened May 27 under the auspices or the Ministry of the In- terior. Idea ot the week is to acquaint Mexicans and ..'foreigners with the importance of the national film in- dustry. Better Russo Pix Via Productions Geared for Intl. Market Forecast Sabu To Star in Rank's Big Tinier; ABP Ready To Start Simone Film London. April 30. First film to be made in Techni- color at Pine wood Studios since be- fore the war will be "Black Narcis- sus." an original by Michael Powell and Emeric Prcssburgcr who .will also-direct. Shooting starts in May with Sabu being brought over from U. S. to star. FMm will be made, for J. Arthur Rank by Archer Film Productions, and is expected to Cost around $1,250,000. Associated British Picture Corp. Ls all set for Georges Simenon's "Newhaven Dieppe," which will be titlefl 'Temptation Harbour," sub- stitute for original tag "Heartbucak Harbour." Cast will be' headed by Simone Simon. Robert Prejan. both being brought over from France: and Robert Newton. Shooting to start at Welwyn Studios sometime in June, with Lance Comfort directing. Picture is budgeted at $1,000,000. Dntch East Indies Ask To Buy U.S. Pix Outright The Dutch East Indies government has asked U. S. film companies to sell their pictures outright to that country for a five-year period. Al Lowe, United Artists Far East divi- sion manager, disclosed yesterday (Tues.). He said his company has •heady nixed the Dutch bid. De- spite a cool reception by Yank dis FILM-LEGIT THEATRE READIED IN MEI CITY Mexico City. May 7. Combo theatre-cine is the plan' for the-new house"in the swank Hotel Alameda here. Hotel won't be for- mally opened until fall. Hotel is governmenl-owner? and its theatre has been leased for six months by Margarita Uruela.- stage actress who is turning producer With this venture.''Combo plan is for the house to operate as a cinema day- time and as a class theatre al nights. It will be the first such combo here. Believed that important films will yield enough to offset the poor coin anticipated from the theatre. Julio Bracho, who quit the thea- tre eight years ago for pictures, is associated with Uruela. Austrian Prods. Seek Comeback Vienna. April 27: The Austrian film industry, faced with big financing, has revealed that only 101.- of production costs arc covered by Austrian playdatcs. This figure, it is feared, cannot be in- creased because of the limited cur- rent market: Austrian production reached its peak in 1935. Then Germany decided Wallow only 14 film'imports an- nually. This was the heaviest blow. Austrian producers ever received. That Austria had to accept the im- port of 120 German films annually was another blow, especially to ex- hibitors, because Ihe public pre- ferred foreign pictures, mostly from the U. S. ' With no export of Austrian films to. Germany at present and none to be expected for some time, Austrian producers will be obliged .to devote their attention largely to synchroni- zation m foreign languages, largely English. Mex Pix Star to Spain Maria Elena Marques, . Mexican star who plays in "The Pearl," which RKO will, release in Spanish and English, planed to Lisbon. Portugal, this week on her way to visit rela- tives in Spain. She came up from Mexico City last week to visit N. Y. for''about four davs before going-to Madrid. Trieda' Likely Hit In Week's London Entries London. May 7. "Frieda." which preemed al the Westminster. May 2. looks the out- standing legit entry of the week. It was well received and appears a definite hit. Michael Balcon. head of Ealing "Studios, already has pur- chased film rights to the play for $20,000 with Ronald Millar, the au- thor, getting $10,000 to adapt it to the screen. "No Room al the Inn." revived last summer at the Embassy, opened at the Winter Garden. May 3. -It ap Export Assn. Readies Japan, Korea Distrib; To Germany Same Way; . American distributors are resum-. ing:'distribution ot their product in ' Japan and Korea via the' film indus- . try's Export Assn's., and will.use the same method in Germany as soon as the military turns over the reins, i Charles Mayer, who was 20th-Fox ' managing director in the Netherlands | East Indies and Malaya before the ' ' war. has been appointed Export Assn. ! I representative for Japan and Korea ! and sails to establish offices in Tokyo , late in May for distribution ot prod- uct for the eight major film com- panies belongiug to this association. Morris Goodman. Export Assn. representative who has beeii work- ing under the supervision of the mili- tary in Germany, will stay on there to have charge for the association as soon as setup is turned over by the military authorities. I Hi is has been-promised for some], time, so-actual full operation by the Export Assn. alone looms in the near future. Eric Johnston, head of the Exporl Assn.. has received approval or Mayer's acceptability from Genera' MacArlhur's headquarters. He was capUiin in charge of motion pictures in General MacArlhur's command until 1945. Mayer will relieve-Mike Bergher. on loan from Universal, when he arrives in Tokyo. Bergher. who returns to Universal Interna- tional, was commended by MscAr- thur's headquarters for his fine job Several film company foreign dept. chiefs are studying ways of com- bating expected stronger Russian screen fare in the world market. While the influence of the Rusk pic- ture biz, via its immense distribution setup in the foreign field, has been felt for some time, this improved Russian production threat is a new one'. Russian film biz has z heavy grip on the market in Czechoslo- vakia, Yugoslavia. Hungary. Austria. Romania and other European coun- tries via govt, edicts favoring Soviet fare. But the danger of Russian pii-iurcs being so strong as to compete, with U. S. fare in the world market is a new wrinkle. In the past. Sovi.^i lilm vehicles have been geared mainly for the native land with, the political, slant heavily implanted in r.iosi pro- ductions. Latest reports cmanalingjnditoctlv- from Moscow are that Russia's- lilm biz. has yen to expand imernation- ally. and apparently is willing to curb the party line angles >n order to make Russ fare more saleable in the world market. Former Army men retunilne. from overseas, duty say that the Soviets want to accelerate their dislribution of films,- not merely in Europe and nearby territories, but throughout the world. Also that Russ production chiefs are smart enough to realize that the biggest insurance for such improved- market will be obtained from straight treatment . i screen yams. U. S. distribs believe if pror ' ductions are slanted this way. they, will provide stiff competition because many Soviet features measure up to U. S. films in acting, direction, pro- duction values and earner.) work. pears slightly dated but has a chance ! of °'eanizing distribution for Japan of success despite unsuitability of the theatre. < "The • Wind Is Ninety." . which came into the. Apollo on May 6. pleased but is unlikely. Show is in for four weeks, matinees only, be- ing financed by Douglas Montgom- ery, who is starring. and Korea. tribs to the offer, the Dutch have i territory designated a rep to visit the U. S. and open direct negotiations. In India, according lo Lowe. American films are hitting opposi- tion from native product. Current practice is for native producers to ■ approach.theatres playing U. S. films and lo offer the same profits it they switch lo Indian pix. • Burger Back to U.S. Sam N. Burger, Locw's Inter- national regional director for Latin- American territory, was back last week from an extensive four of his Adolf Judall. company's asst. mgr. in Brazil, returned-with, him to N. Y. Prokofiers 'Cinderella' . Ballet In Moscow Bow Washington. Mav 7. New Serge Prokofleff ballel "Cin- derella" has. been preemed al the Bolshoi theatre, in Moscow. Soviet Embassy here discloses. Ballet has been playing with two ballerinas. Olgi Lepeshinskaya and Gnlina ulanova. alternating in the title role. Ballet has 20 changes of scenery done by Peter Williams, Moscow Scenic ailist. Brit. Singer on U.S. Tour London, April 30. Anne Shelton's contract with mae- stro Ambrose expired today, and she *i'l mil renew with' hiiri. Understood .mat she has signed an exclusive contract' wilh Charles Tucker's En- terprise klter being sought bv main agents. fucker intends to take her over I" America soon. Bing Crosbv ap- Pi'ared'and recorded with Miss Shel- l"n whil,. over her plaving lor USO- <-amn Shows during the war. Current London Shows London. May 7. "Arsenic & Old Late." Strand. "Belter Late." Garrick. Ballet Klvsees,' Adelphia. "Duel for Two," Lyric. "Arsenic. Old l.ace." Cambridge. "Fifty-Fifty," Strand. "Fine Feathera," Wales. "First Gentleman," Savoy. "Follow the Girls," Majesty's. "Frieda." Embassy. "Guinea Pig." Criterion. "Hasty Heart," Aldwych. "Here Cine the Boys," Seville. "High Time," Palladium. "Honeymoon," York's. "I.ady Kdinburgh," Playhouse. "Make It a Dale." Duchess. "Man About House," Piccadilly. "Merrie England," Princes. "Nigh't and Music," Coliseum. "No Medals," Vaudeville. "No Room At Inn." Winter Garden, "l'errhance lo Dream," Hipp. "Private Lives," Apollo. "See Mow They Bun"—"Sacred Flame." Comedy. "Shop Sly Corner," St.' Marlins. "Sleeping Beauty." Covenl. "Sonj of Norway," Palace. "Murder en Nile," Ambassador. "Under the Counter," Phoenix. "While Sun Shines," Globe. "Wind Is Ninety." Apollo. "Windermere's Fan," Hay market. "Worms "lew.'' Whitehall. "Ye;ii> Between," Wynclhams, 'Rhapsody/ 'Bells' Score In Rio's Record Week Rio de Janeiro. Apr. 30. Rio pictures had their biggest week in months with "Rhapsody in Blue" iWBi at eight houses and "Bells of St. Mary s" <RKO> in a like number. "Tonight and Every Night" (Col i at the Palacio. and "Our Vines Have Tender Grapes" (M-G1 at tlie Metro also were big entries. Pictures soon to open* are V1.001 Nights" (Coli "Saratoga Trunk" (WBi. "Frenchman's Creek" (Par) and "The Fallen Angel" <20th>. SAMETT, BACK IN SHOW BIZ, SEEKS GARRICK London. April 30: -"| Lucien Samell is-returning to show biz: His backer is Rachel \ Scquerra, owner of Romano's res- I tauranl here. Samett is negotiating for the Garrick theatre, lease from Alfred Esdaile at a cost of $60,000. plus $25,000 for. deposits and in- surances. Samett is also importing the first Spanish Ballet to England, opening here late in May: Brit. Labor Unit lands 3 More Pix Theatres; Seeks 22-Honse Chain London! April .10.' Co-Operative ■ Workers. Society, closely affiliated with the Labor Movement, which already has ac- quired nine houses in various parts of England, still is expanding. Latest purchase is three houses in Dartford.. But company also is dickering with Buxton Bros, to acquire its circuit ot theatres in Yorkshire. Lancashire, Norfolk and King's Lynn. Circuit in- cludes IB picture houses and three theatres, with price expected to be around $1,500,000. C. W. S. is understood to be behind some of Jack Hylton's ven- tures, and is expecled to become the fourth largest circuit in England this year. 5 New Italo Producers Rome. April 27. The city -of Milan, racing to re- place Rome as leader in Italian film production, has added five new film companies in that city in recent months. They are ICET, AnfEA. A NFL ICMEA and REF, all currently under way. . REF. a company backed by the church, has been placed uiider the .direction of a priest. Don Cordcro. HADLEY TO PAR, INTT R. W. Hadley. Jr.. joined Para- mount International last week as! Held rep in overseas territory under J...E, Perkins, division mgr. for Far East. Australia. New Zealand and Soulh^frica. ' Hadley will .study su- pervisory operations in Cleveland for about three months before go- ing on the: job. He' was a PT bnal commander in the Navy during .the war. Pagnol Halts Revival Of Parisian 'Caesar' Paris. April 30. Marcel Pagnol, head of Authors Society, whose old play "Caesar" was lo be revived at the Theatre des Varietes. withdrew it despite protests or Max Maurey. and Alibert. co-producers!" Production, had been in rehearsal and set to open soon. Dispute is now to be-settled by the Socicte des Auteurs. Raima, now bedded wilh a broken leg. 'starred as Marius in the orig- inal cast. Aliberl was to have taken the part, supported by Oudard in the role of Caesar. Pagnol. who had given his okay on the revival, was told that the play as revived would be Vastly different from the original. He attended one rehearsal and im- mediately nixed the production. Littler Signs Ex-GI London. April- 30. ! Kmile Littler has signed LI. Paul ■ Gavert, just being discharged from ; Ihe U. S. Army this week, to play i the lead in 'The Red Mill." which | he intend.-, to stage in the West End ; in September, after Iryout in the ' i provinces. H0YTS TO BUILD 600-SEATER. Gavert. Who comes under the Brisbane. April 27. j Training Within Civilian Agencies Hoyts will erect an intimate cine- ! 'T- *■ C. A:i. was given permission ma. sealing '600, underneath circuits j by the Army to play the John Har- ma. sealing 600. underneath Regent gieave role (Grieg• in "Son* of here. Latter is a 2.B0(l-seater. I Norway" at the Palace fur a few lloyts now. operates some 150 j vecks. with Littler pad resulting houses in Ausmc. 1 Um\. In- w.nlt in tin-: show. Reiner Latin-American Manager for Selznick Manny Reiner was appointed South-American manager for Selz.- ; nick-Vanguard Films this week by : Neil Agnew, company's sales mana- ' ger. Reiner leaves for Mexico City to set up a company office about ! June 1. Then he will start a survey of the Latiii-Americun market.- His | initial efforts in Mexico will be linked with the special sales cam- paign for "Spellbound" and for : forthcoming release of "Duel in the Sun." Reiner recently completed more j than three years' service with the | Office of War Information, acting as i govt, film rep in southeastern Eu- i rope and Iceland. He- started in the , lilm business in 1933 doing ad-pub-. • licity for Metro. Warners and ; Paramount. He quit the picture biz lo handle national . promotion for the Quiz Kids radio .show, returning J to head Par's, shorts ad-publicity. I Reiner plans going to Buenos Aires ' and Rio de Janeiro later in the year I to establish Scl/.nick hcadciuarlcrs there. , Production Resumed Again in Netherlands Washington, May 7. Production of pictures has begun again .in the Netherlands, the Dept. of Commerce Office of International Trade has announced tonight. (Tues- day), Three already have started films. Two are pre-war firms'that specialized in documentaries. Third outfit will produce full-length fea- tures and shorts.