Variety (May 1946)

WediHttdai, May 22, 1946 PICTURES 11 Negro Fans' Economic Upbeat Prime Factor in Booming Colored Pix Prod. Lush returns from Negro pix pro- ♦ duction over the past three years S« transformed this unheralded nhase of the industry from two-by- four enterprises into a million dol- lar proposition. In the works for 1MB by the six established indie producers in the field are 25 full- length features which, on the basis of previous earnings, are practically guaranteed to gross between $40.- «00 to $60,000 apiece. Low produc- tion costs of the films, averaging around $20,000, has also attracted an unestimated number of quickie pix-makers. . . Chief factor in the expansion is the wartime absorption of the col- ored population in the South into the nation's industrial ecomony with a consequent sharp tilt in their wage-earning power. To a large extent, this fact has been car- ried over into the postwar recon- version period. Although over the past few years there has been only a 10% increase in the 600 filmeries exclusively showing Negro pictures across the - country, ticket prices and rental lees have shot up 75-100% during this period. Rental fees range from 1300 to $1,500 per booking in the larger cities, and In the smaller rural centers, from $25 to $150. An- ' other lucrative source of income for the distributors has been the prac- tice of the "Lily-white" . houses in the South to put on midnight screenings of Negro features for the colored section of the town. [Side- light on this practice is that even during these midnight shows Ne- groes arc not permitted to sit in the orchestra.] For the first time, colored film producers have been able to land foreign bookings, particularly ' in those countries where Negro GI's were stationed during the war. Jack Goldberg's the Negro Marches On productions, one of the leading out- fits in this field, has set five-year sales deals on a group of his features in France, Belgium and Sweden in .addition to regular distribution in . the South American market, Bulk of production facilities for these films is concentrated at vari- ous independent studios in New York and Hollywood. Recently Bert Goldberg, brother of Jack, and Al- fred N. Sack of Dallas opened new studio space in Dallas under the name of Harlemwood. This outfit is producing seven Negro pictures during this year. Other producers in the field are Quigley & Leonard, Robert Savani . of- Astor Pictures, and Glucksman's All - American Newsreel. • Two . Finished Dallas, May 21. The first two features of Bert Goldberg's 1946 program of seven pictures with all-Negro casts, "Beale Street Mama" and "Harlem on Pa- rade," have... been completed here and are now in distribution. World distribution being handled by Sack Amusement Co. here. Goldberg plans production of other films on his agenda in Dallas with True Thompson, Texas circuit operator of Negro theatres, as tech- nical adviser. Musical director for the Alms is George Johnson. FARM FUJI FOUNDATION HAS AMBITIOUS PLANS . Washington, May 21. _ Newly formed Farm Film Foun- dation announced last week that " has decided to push for the creation of at least 1,000 16m film wund circuits for the country's farm * r *? s - Announcement of the plan, Which will,specialize in non-theat- rical showings, came after a meeting 9Mne board of directors. ,° u f Bt Js non-profit and educational and is headed by Walter -D. Fuller, president of Curtis Publishing Co. It «„composed °* leaders of various "fm organizations throughout the Fuller said the program will "aim "ward the creation of a better un- derstanding of the importance of wrmmg to the welfare of the world, "rough the carefully directed use «L !',L°" visual education centered "out 16m sound films." n a *i^ n ? a l?. on plans to maintain a WUpnal film i ibrarV) establish cir . V? "operation with farm or? san ations, and advise on film pro- action of the type desired. Herzog Ankles PRC Hollywood, May 21. Karl Herzog, y.p. of PRC produc- tions since last December, turned in his resignation and will leave for New York next week to make a new connection. Before joining PRC. Herzog was treasurer of Pathe Industries for seven, years. Trust Decision Cues Exhib Suits Feared in some distributor circles that the anticipated deluge of exhibi- tor suits consequent upon the Jackson Park, Chicago, case is await- ing the outcome of the U. S. anti- trust action against the majors. Not unlikely, it is believed, that facts and figures are being gathered to- gether by prospective exhib litigants but felt that decision in the anti- trust case may have an important bearing in ! the preparation of com- plaints. Meantime, all efforts within, the 1 industry, including those by some persons with good inside, tracks, to get-a hint as to what may be ex- pected in the Government suit have proved of no avail: Curiosity surrounds two different facts. One is: that Judge Augustus Hand, sitting, on the case, was sup- posed to have gone to Tokyo on war criminal trials Monday (20). ,The other . is that the three Federal judges rushed the trial on the case, but while it ended more than four months ago on Jan. 7 decision has been delayed much longer than it Was thought it would. Speculation naturally is that the three Federal judges cannot' agree among themselves or due to the many ramifications of the case and the mass of evidence are taking their time digesting it. In any event; if the distribs lose, they will apcal to the U. S. Su- preme Court. Government has indi- cated it will appeal also if losing. Jackson Park (Chi) Theatre's Demands For Rons Riles Pix Majors Sales officials are plenty riled over stiff demands put to them by the operators of the Jackson Park thea- tre, winner of the Chicago anti- trust suit, on clearance and ruii ne- gotiations. Dickerings as a conse- quence have bogged down and the dispute will be dropped into the court's lap for final say. While a Chi jury fixed treble damages against the Big Five at $600,000, future run status of the Jackson Park is sub- ject of court hearings yet to come. Bustup in negotiations came after the majors offered the theatre the same run and clearance as other houses in the vicinity. Proposal in- tended to head off further litigation ■ meant promotion of Jackson Park to a more favorable run. Counter- offer which steamed sales execs was acceptance. of the better run conditioned on the proviso that film rentals would not be hjked from the old figure paid on the inferior run. Company attorneys say they are ready to push the case up to the Supreme Court again on the run question if necessary. They pojnt out that the. expected raft of exhibitor anti-trust suits have not developed since the high court upheld the Jackr son Park verdict. Narrow applica- tion of law which lays down no new principles except on proof of dam- ages is believed by them to have held down the number of new suits. Chaplin Guns murders' Holly wood, May 21. Charles Chaplin sent his "Comedy of Murders" troupe to Arrowhead to start the picture rolling with out- door scenes, directed by Robert Florey. Under the new arrangement Florey will direct most of the ex- teriors while Chaplin himself will handle most of the Indoor shooting, which starts June 3. Indie Exhibs and Allied ing on ATA Moves Conference of Independent Ex- hibitors Assns. and Allied States Assn. of Motion Picture Exhibitors will huddle in Chicago tomorrow (23) through Friday (25) with film rentals. and the activities of the American Theatres Assn. headed , for top spots on the agenda. :• While slated for separate meets, the two organizations which are closely re- lated are expected to take a uniform stand on all questions. Allied in announcing the meets took a sideswipe at ATA by declar- ing that the Allied leaders "have no entangling alliances which make it either embarrassing or illegal for them to plan or act with respect to film rentals, trade practices-, and other matters of real concern to their members." Understood that ATA of- ficials vainly hoped for an invite to the meet to explain that group's aims. Under current plans, Jesse L. Stern will chairman -the CIEA con- clave while. Jack Kirsch, Allied prexy, .will wield the gavel at the Allied huddles. UN's Film Sfced Rolls With Compilation Of 1st Release From OWI, Newsreels Brady, Texas, All Hot 'N' Bothered by Film Star's (U) Personal App. Dallas, May 21. "Brady, Texas." ■' „ This is what Variety calls the stix,. but when it comes to welcom- ing a film star, Broadway has noth- ing on Brady, except a few hix and a few mazdas. Yvonne de Carlo, Universal star, appears here today (Wednesday) to help war-hero Bob Shanks open his new Texas theatre (capacity 625), and the town is putting or the greatest" spectacle since "Ben Hur." Universal sent Miss de Carlo to Brady because Shanks was first in answering the full page ads taken in southwest newspapers by U offering ex-servicemen an- opportunity to be- come exhibitors. Entire city is flooded with signs of welcome for her. She will attend a banquet in her honor being tendered by city. Guests include prominent citizens who'll come from cattle .ranches in best boots and 10-gallon hats to pay tribute to first Hollywood actress ever to visit there. Mayor Earl Rudder declared Thursday "Yvonne de Carlo Day." Parade, led by high school band, cowboys and Texas Rangers, will escort her to specially erected stand in the park where the Brady Standard devoted an entire first page,. Monday (20)., to the actress' appearance in a special edi- * ion - ii Local radio station carrying all events and will broadcast dedication exercises from station over city-wide hookup. Miss de Carlo appears on stage followed by her "Frontier Gal" on screen. Tonight (Tuesday) she's on the Headline Edition program over ABC 7 p.m. EDT, when Miss de Carlo interviews Shanks from Dallas. CANADIANS SAILING AGAIN TO U.S. FILMS Eastport, Me., May 21. After a lapse since late 1939, busi- ness is again coming by motorboats, sailboats, rowboats and even canoes from the Canadian side of the border to theatres located on the U.-S. side. War restrictions cut this business down to almost nil. With consid- erable although not complete modi- fication of the restrictions, the move- ment from Canada into the U. S. more approaches normalcy than at any time since the start of the sec- ond world war. Theatre customers on Deer and Carripobello Islands, and also at and near St. Andrews on the mainland, are also using light rowboats and canoes in visiting Eastport theatres. The boats-are tied up very close to the Wi'bor theatre. Motorboats, row- boats, canoes, sailboats, are also transporting people to the Slate in Calais, Me., on the St. Croix River and boundary; and to theatres on the U. S. bank of the St. John River at Madawaska, Van Burcn and Fort Kent, Me. Disney Rolls lively Pic Hollywood, May 21. Walt Disney's first essentially live action picture, "How Dear to My Heart," got under way with Harold Schuster as director. Only 300 feet of cartoon will be used. Cast is headed by Beulah Bondi, Burl Ives, Bobby Driscoll and Lu- ariaPatton. Budget is $1,500,000. United Nations has started its first three documentary Alms into pro- duction. Initial one, on the General . Assembly, is slated for release be- fore, that body convenes in New York next September. ' It will be distributed in 10 languages, as a starter. Fellows Big Clipper Hollywood, May 21. Paramount assigned, producer re- sponsibility to Robert Fellows on "The Big Haircut," based on a talc by Houston Branch. Story is about wheat fields, not barber shops, Drive-In With Dancing New Idea Albany, May 21. Fabian-Hellman interests rushing work on the new Mohawk Drive-in at Stop 21, on the Albany-Schenec- tady road, in. hopes of getting into operation Decoration Day. It will have a car capacity of approximately 900. Grading work, was started last fall and was resumed eariy this, spring. Neil Hellman, who will su- pervise the Mohawk, as he does the Auto Theatre at Lathams Corners on the Albany-Saratoga road, has been joined in the drive down the stretch to get the new one going Memorial; Day by Fred Haas, director of main- tenance for Fabian houses. A feature of the. Mohawk will be dancing before the first show and during intermission on a platform in front of the screen. Recorded dance music will provide the accom- paniment.. RCA sound, with individ- ual speakers and volume control, is being installed. Larry. Cowen, Fabian upstate pub- licity director, is handling the pro- motion. Fabian and Hellman are pooled on drive-in operation here- abouts. U.S. to Foot the Print Costs of Famine Pic To Be Released Via ATA ■ Number of Governmental agen- cies will chip in to foot the prints and other expenses in distribution of "Seeds of Destiny," two-reeler, produced by the Army for the United Nations Relief & Rehabilita- tion Administration, has been, tenta- tively accepted by Si Fabian, ATA prcz, subject to approval of the unit's program committee. Major company release will be arranged for the film, an ATA official indi- cated, similarly to those handled by ATA's predecessor, the War Activi- ties Committee. Arch Mercey* film liaison chief in the- Office of War Mobilization & Rehabilitation, is currently dicker- ing with UNRRA, Army and OWMR ofifcials to pro rata the costs of the film. All three agencies have an in- terest in pushing a short on famine. Film was screened before OWMR officials last week who thereupon pressed Fabian to accept it despite latter's avowed preference for a onc- reeler. Army had lensed "Seeds" In Europe and pic is mainly devoted to shots of famine conditions there. COWAN BACK TO COAST WITH 4 PIX ON SKED Lester Cowan, currently in New York, heads coastward Friday (24) to - prepare a quartet of pictures which he. is scheduled to. produce in 1946-47; F. Scott Fitzgerald's "Baby- lon Revisited" is the first, skedded to roll early in August. Producer, it is ur.derstood, will release through United Artists, which handled his "Tomorrow the World," and "Story of GI Joe." Dicker still going on for studio space but probability is that General Service will be used. Next on his schedule will be Fred Othman's comedy. "President's Husband," "Story of Sun Yat-Sen" and "Free Press," which Cowan is trying to pact Ben Hecht and Charles McArthur to screenplay. BABSHA HANDED 'LADY' Hollywood, May 21. Universal handed Leon Bafsha production reins on "Shanghai Lady," his second chore since mov- ing into the studio. First film on his. production pro- gram is "Challenge in the Night." Second, film to go into distribution will be on the Security Council and the third will be on the UN in gen- eral. All are being compiled from OWI and newsreel footage shot at the various UN meetings and. the confabs leading to the organization's formation. Animation and charts will be added to clarify the setups. Project is under supervision of Marion Dix, head of the film section' of the United Nations information service, who works under public re- lations director Benjamin Cohen. Miss Dix came to the UN from the OWI staff in London. Prior to join- ing the government service she worked in Hollywood as a writer for Paramount for five years, RKO four years and 20th-Fox one year. Doing preliminary editing on the mass of footage now are Lora Hayes and Rosalind Perlman, both im- ported from the OWI. They're using U. ■ S. Coast Guard facilities. Miss Dix will do all the writing on the films, including the commentaries. Research on methods of release is now being done by Mrs. Helen Kipk, who'll head the distribution setup. It is planned, as far' as possible, to use established organizations, such as the British Ministry of Informa- tion. Showings will be primarily to schools, clubs and civic groups, but an effort will be made to tie in with the 16m programs of American com- panies. As for theatrical distribution, Miss' Dix declared: "If the pictures are good enough, they'll want them. And we hope to make them that good." Intensive Schedule With . a minute budget, Miss Dix and her staff of four aides is not only doing all the production work, but also handles all the liaison with the newsreels, picture companies . arid foreign government picture agencies. Right now they are deeply nvolyed in planning lights, camera booths . and other facilities for the new UN Security Council meeting place in Flushing, N. Y.; and Gener- al Assembly's home at the Sperry plant in Nassau county, N. Y. Incidentally, ever since she won - the battle to admit newsreel. cam- eramen to the UN proceedings in London last year, Miss Dix hasn't had a single squawk from the dele- gates or the newsreel execs. British, because of the debacle at San Fran- cisco, wanted to bar cameras at the London meeting, claiming the brights lights and deluge of techni- cians detracted from the dignity of the sessions. Miss Dix now thinks the battle at that time was fortu- nate, because it gave her a chance to present for films arguments that have had a lasting impression. The beefs at that time also led to the UN's present soundproofed booths and carefully designed lights with dimmer banks so that they can't be noticed going on and off. Lights have been so meticulously placed at the UN's Hunter College Hall that a delegate, even if he looks right up at them, can't get the beam of more than a single one at a time. Pooling setup of the newsreels has also worked almost perfectly, companies automatically changing off every two weeks. They've all been very cooperative, Miss Dix stated, in shooting not only speeches in English, but thos? in foreign lan- guages. Lavender prints (from which dupe negatives can be made) of this footage are provided to the various countries interested after an okay from Miss Dix. Poles, Aus- tralians, Russians and British have been big users of this product. UN unit also automatically gets a lav- ender of all. footage shot. With encouragement of the film section, documentaries on the UN are being made by a number of out- side agencies. The U. S. Department is making one, British Crown Film Unit two, and Warsaw Films, Inc., in Poland, and the Australian In- formation . Service several. Pathe is also doing a release in its "This Is America" series. If satisfactory after they are viewed, UN will give them all a seal of approval and attempt to add them to its own library for distribution.