Variety (Jan 1947)

14 TARIKfCXW LONDON OVBIOBS. t 8t. Msrtln'a Fln««, Triibilmr SqnaM F*l* • uipin I East Web Fonnmg Nucleus of Far et;PaGtsCBS.ABCJBSSiiows A network of stations covering the majoL" cities of the Far East is aborning and, if present plans hold, will tie the conamercial Orient together via radio web. Accoa-ding to Norman Paige, head of the recently i o r m e (j: Philippine Broadcasting Corp., which already has six 1,000watters operating in the Islands, ejEchange programs have already been set with Sydney, Australia, Singapore and Shanghai, and others are in the oHing with Batavia in Java, Bangkok, capital of Siam,. and Saigon, French Indo-China. ' Paige has just left New Vork aftei signing cohti-acts with CBS, ABG and Mutual for repeat broadcasts of some of the sponsored net programs over his PBC. Shows will be plattered in San Francisco and shipped air expvess to Manila. CBS, last to be signed, is pacted for two years. Affiliations with tJ.S. nets will bring some 15 to 20 sponsored American web shows a week to the Island chain within the next month PBC's six stations, KZ2A in Zamboanga, KZDA in Davao, KZTA in Taoloban, KZIA in Iloilo, KZCA in Cebu City and flagship outlet KZPI m Manila* are all going up to 10,000 watts as sOQti as . equipment is made avaiiable, Paige said. Web stations operate 18 hours a day, two"-thirds of the time sponsored with virtually all shows emanating from Manila and piped to other cities via dual microwave link. Programs are broadcast by simultaneous shortwave qa two heamSf as well as FM in Manila, Viihere there afe about 400 of the latter type sets. Only opposition In the area com"es from KZRH, NBC station which, operating on old equipment as contrasted to PBC's newly installed Raytheon gear, doesn't boast as clear a signal, according to Paige. ■ Sydney Exchange Preem Set The PBC AM broadcasts are already picked up, during the evening hours, in Hongkong, Shanghai and Auckland, New Zealand, Program exchange arrangement with Sydney begins within two weeks with a trade of one news broadcast a day;. similar deal holds for Shanghai and will follow in Singapore as soon as contact is made. Paige said that the inamediate /purpose 61 the Par 3East linkage is not commercial, but a means of closer relationship between the various elements in that quarter of the globe. New station construction in territories not controlled bV the United States is not contemplated within the next year or so, according to PBC head, largely because of international unrest in the Far East and as yet unclarified provisions of international law pertaining to broadcasting. If England, France and the Netherlands permit, he said, stations will be built in the capital cities of their colonies. Should this occur, it will bring about the unu-sual situation of commercial American. stations operating in competition with non-commercial, government-owned British, Dutch and French outlets. Program-wise, the Philippine net ha.*! a number of locally .sponsored shows, backed by U. S. national and local advertiser^. These pay for the Manila operation. Coca-Cola does a remote from Manila's Club Cairo, while Mennen's, Ford, Pcpsi^Cola, Ovaltinc and others follow in line, Paige pointed out the possibilities of the Islands as a market, with a population of 18,000,000, 12 million Of whom can understand the English broadcasts. He said that in Manila alone there are about 80.000 radios to which arc being added another 5,000 a month. He said, that someone Could make a fortune with a small five-tube tropical receiver which could operate on 220 volts (standard PI power) and sell for around $30. With all radios imported from the tr. S. geared for 110 volts, peeple have to buy power converters at B cost almost equalling that of tlic set before they can receive. Red Elements Bulk of the local .shows come from remotes, Paige said, with the net picking up every important government speech, e.specially during the past montbs when there has been much unrest with the Hukbalahopii, wartime guerillas who.se leadership has since been slowly taken over by Communist elements.. Paige liimself went into the hills on several occasions with a recording machine and cut speeches of Lui.s Toruk, Huk leader, for rebroadcast. On two other occasions Paige:, sneaked Toruk through the lines for live broadcasts and even brought him to the palace of President Manuel Roxas once for a peace conference. For all broadcasts of this sort Paige said he tells the other side to listen i^ and prepare an answer, for which it is given equal time. Paige stated that the net is prepared for the new Parity Bill which comes before the new Congress in March. Bill provides that all native industries must be owned in part by Philippine citizens. 60% of PBC stock is held by Filipinos, with Paige holding another' 25%. -Paige was originally ABC. correspondent in the Islands during the war, and segued into the local radio picture after interesting Island capitalists in the construction of a radio network. The six stations are represented herp by John Blair Co. For iint Stock \ Paris, Jan, 14. The French are currently., attempting to close a deal with the Russians, bartering some French black and white raw stock needed by the Sovkino against some Agfacolor raw stock required by the French if they are to continue pro. dueing in color. So far the only tinted feature produced here is "Marriage of Ramuntcho," currentljr in the editing stage. Considerable difficulties were encountered by producer Ariet Badel )Films de Prance). First batch of negative was supplied by the Cinema Branch of the French Occupation Forces in Austria. This was found insufficient and had to be considerably supplemented by stock reportedly obtained from visiting GIs in small pieces and at black market prices up to about 90c a foot. Then some alleged experts claiming to have a vaporized mercury process were given a contract Which enabled them to threaten litigation and obtain compensation when they had to be discharged. This was niade imperative because Eclair lab would not guarantee work done by them. There are only three labs in Europe: Berlin, Prague (in the Soviet zone) and Eclair (at Epinay, near Paris) which can process Agf acolpr. Eclair has three Agfa technicians,' and a very small amount of Agfa equipment, left here by the Germans who, under occupation, brought it to do some of their Agfa prints. Work is slow and two pictures would result in a bottleneck. Case of Morals Montreal, Jan. 21. Surburban city of Westmount has amended its bylaws and has authorized construction of a film liouse, vorboten until now. Annouhcement in local sheets that the staid city of Westmount would "further amend bylaw lOe concerning good morals and decency" caused a few stniles, but explanation was simple. Bylaw forbidding theatres was passed in 1909 and at that time theatres were placed on the tabu list "in the interests of good morals." New Fino to Me 16m I^ior Oiina pointing up the lack of studio equipment in fchina, K. C. Tsien, in charge o.f sales and distribution for the newly formed China Film Enterprises; stated, in New York last weiek that his firm Was currently producing a number ot 16ra shorts in the 0. S. and plans to njafce full-length Chinese features here for distribution in the Far East. Also contemplating invasion of the Chinese exhibition field, company, expects to establish a circuit of 50 16m theatres to be erected in the smaller cities on the coast and Interior of China. Stumbling Woek to China Film's theatre aspirafloins at present, Tsien said, was inability of the firm to secure sufficient projectors. However, when materials become available, houses are figured to attract a new mass audience which never before has had the opportunity to become film fans. Such 16m circuits, located in regions previously untouched by any exhibitors, are expected to be welcomed, by the iilajor distribS who are anxious to secure additional product outlets. Aside from its entertainment pix, China Film is also handling educational films which it both produces and distributes to Chinese cultural institutions. Organized by Tsien and H. C. "^eng, who's in charge of production, company is said to have no connection with the Chinese government. Latins' Mason Bargain In the enviable position of having acquired the Latin-American rights to four James Mason pictures before he became a top b. o. draw. Foreign Screen Corp. of New York is now releasing the films in South America where, according to company head H. Alban-Mestanza, the British star is the number one foreign boxoffice star. ' Pictures are "This Man Is Dangerous," "The Patient Vanishes," "'The Night Has Byes" and "Terror House." UA also has been holding another Mason film, "Fanny by Gaslight," slated for U. S. release soon. Japs Making Fins New Ciovernineni Cfianges Tokyo, Jan. 14. Japan's thre^ major film companies—Toho, Shochiku, and DaiEi — are shooting pictures on various aspects of the country's new constitution. Release date will be May 3, when th'e constitution, goes into effect six months after it's promulgation, Nov. 3, 1946. Shochiku, which specializes in comedies, is producing a humorous short o"n universal suffrag:e and equality for women, Toho is working on a "super-production" on Japan's denunciation of war, while Dai-Ei is filming the biography of Dai.suke Itagaki, who was a pioneer in Jap liberalism. Gprdine Brings 'Idiot' Bringing a print of his film ver.sion of Dostoiev.ski's "Idiot" -with him, Sacha Gordine, French film producer, arrived in New York yesterday (Tuesday) aboard the liner Washington. He'll remain in Gotham for a few days and plans to go to the Coa.st the end of the week. , , Producer of "Jericho," picture dealing with the French resistaflce movement which ,iust clcsed a six;week run-at the 5.5th St. Playhouse, N. Y., G-ordine will confer with Andre Lelarge, his New York rep and distributor of "Jeri^chO," prior to leaving for Hollywood. WAENEES INK MONTAND Yves Monland. French .singing star, has been signed to a .seven-year contraot by Warner Bro.s. Mon'tand will come to Hollywood the latter . part of June. Current London Sbo^ . London, Jan. 21. "And No Birds Sing," Aldwych. "Anthony-Cleopatra," Piccadilly. "Bertram Mills Circus," Olympia. "Between Ourselves," Playhouse. "Clutterbuck," Wyndham. "Fifty-Fifty," Strand. "Follow The Girls." Majesty's. "Fools Rush In," Fortune. "Grace of God," St.' James. "Grand National Night," Apollo. "Guinea Pig," Criterion. "Here Come the Boys," Saville. "High Time," Palladium, "I.ady Frederick," Savoy. "Men From Ministry," Comedy, "Message for Margaret," Duchess. "Mother Goose," Casino. "Night and l^aughtcr," Coliseum. "No Room at Inn," Winter Garden. "Pacific 1860," Drury Lane. "Perchance to bream," Hipp. "Peter Pan," Scala. "Piccadilly Hayridc," Wales. "Poliergeist," Vaudeville. "Red Riding Hood," Adelphi. "Shephard Show," Princes. "Shop Sly Corner," St. Martins. "Smith on Arcady," Embas.sy. ".Sone of Norway," Palace, ".sweetheart Mine," Vic Palace. ".Sweetest and lowest." Ambass, "The Gleam," Globe. "Under the Counter," Phoenix. "Windermere's Fan," Haymarket. "Winslow Boy," Lyric. . "Worm's View." Whitehall.. Slnnip Talk-Disturbs Londm Legit DespiteMR(b;ftductionBooi^ By HARRY REGENSBERG London, Jan, 17. Although showbiz in the West End is generally good, there's a feeling of uncertainty among mosst of the hardened show folk. There's a whisper around that a slump is on the way and it won't be long. Slump talk is due to the fact that; most people av<. spent iiieir war gratuities; big war wages, no. .longer exist; industrial unrest Is all around, with strikes cropping up everywhere. People are still queueing for essentials despite the war being over nearly two years. People seem to be shopping for entertainment, Instead of just going to the theatre as was customary during the last five years, and passing up many shows that would have been deemed successes in 'the days gone by. But with all '.hat, producers are getting busy linirig up, new attractions, getting -ready for the big influx expected hfepa this summer, although accommodation . is still the big London problem, with puzzle where the expected 250,000 tourists this year are going to put up when they do arrive. ^ Emile Littler has £i big lineup of American shows, including "Oklahoma," which may go to the Cojiseum, sometime in Jthe spring, or wait for the fail, to foe stagfsd at Drury Lane; "Carousel," which may go, to the Casino sometitne this summer, and "Annie Get Your Gun," which , is being kept>a close secret. Insiders claim that Littler has it in conjunc-. tion With Lee Ephraim, as well as a straight play, "Call Home ^he Heart," which,, stars Sybil Thorndike. Littler also has "Red Mill," tried out in the provinces, where it flopped, it's now being recast, with chief parts to be taken by Jewel and Warriss, local top comics. Show will go to Blackpool for the summer season, with London apr pearance .'oubtful. Henry Sherek has at least three plays, "Truant in Park Lane," starring Roland Young and Lilian Braithwaite; "Edward, My Son," by actor Robert Morley, in which he will be starred, and -WhiCh Sherek is doing in association with Gilbert Miller, and "Bahdom Harvest," which will star Googie Witl&ers. Peter Daubeny, comparative newcomer to West .'*;nd, has quite an exhaustive list of shows this season. Haviffg tasted blood with Frederick Lonsdale's hit "But For the Grace of God," Daubeny is in the market with a new play by Ivor Novello, titled "We Proudly Present"; a new comedy by Vernon Sylvaine, "The Anonymous Lover," and another new play, as yet untitled, in which he will star Douglass Montgomery. Has also new play by youthful authors Kieran Tunney and Simon Wardell, titled "Aurora," with Tunney sailing to America, Feb. 3, to .see if he can per.suade Tallulah Bankhead to return to Londph to star in it. Besides S. N. Pehrman's adaptation of Somerset Maugham's "Jane," which H. M. Tennent, is presenting at the Aldwych, Jan. 29, in association with the Theatre Guild,, Tennent is also" presenting a revival of "Ca.ste" at the Duke of York's; "Galway Handicap," tried out at Bournemouth, and a new play, "The Rossiters," starring Diana Wynyard. Tennent is also getting ready with two important American productions, one being Brock iPemberton'.s "Harvey," which will begin casting as soon as Pemberton arrives in London .sometime in April, and "Deep Are the Foots." Jack Hyltori ha.s Victor Herbert's "Gypsy Lady," renamed "Romany Love," due at His Majesty's sometime in February, and the longnegotiated-for 'Carmen Jones," which is rumored a likely candidate for the Royia Opera House, Covent Garden. ■ Firth Shephard tosSeS iii a couple ill' "Life With Father," sometime in April, mo.stly with, an American cast, and "Peace Comes to Peckham" by R. F. Delderfield, -who wrote the current Whitehall hit, "Worm's Eye View." Bernard Delfont's most important contiibution is. a new operetta by Bernaiier and Melford, who wrote his former Palate bit "Gay Rosalinda," lor which he is bringing Richard Tauber back from America .sometime in May, and a ne\v pljy with music, titled "Caroline," as vehicle for EvelynLaye and' hus band Frank Lawton, sometime in July. Then there's the new CochranHerbert revue, "Bless the Bride" for the Adelphi i.round May, and not least, Val Parneli's new Palladium revue, due sometime in April, which will star Tommy Trinder, with several American and Continental names. Finally, Jack Waller makes one of hin rare incursior.s in the West End With a 'new musical by Frederick Thompson with the intriguing title of "He Saw Virginia." "Caviar to the General," produced at the out-of-the way New Jjindsey theatre, house with capacity of leiss thaii 300, is going to the West End. Eugenie Leontovitch came over from America to star in this, with impresario Tom Arnold catching opening Jan. 14, and immediately securing West End right.s. Last American show to be tried out at this theatre was Elsa Shelley's "Pick-trp Girl." which was also acquired by Arnold who cleaned Vip with it in the West End, and it's still making thonejr Jn the provinceis. Estimated Grosses (at il to tlie pound) . "And No Birds Sing," Aldwych (10th week). Never really in the real dough, barely bettering $6,000. But now nearer $5,600, which is slightly above even break. Skedded to quit Jan. 25 being replaced Jan. 29 by S. N. Behrmans "Jane," tour-^ ing provinces now prior to London showing. "Antony and Cleopatra," Piccadilly (.5th week). Revival starruig Godfrey Tearle and Edith Evans opened as smash, aLso attracting students at Suggestion of educational authorities. Doing steady $9,600, which is practically capacity. Staying some time, after which same principals will revive "Othello," which is expected to Stay fill Micliael Redgrave returns from Holly, wood to star in "Macbeth." "Between Ourselves," Playhouse <5th wefk). Opened to fair biz and building on word of. mouth. Now around $4,400, which is profitable and looks like staying for quite a while. "But for' the Grace of God," St. James (20th week). Has done extremely well for some months, grossing as high as $7,200, which is plenty profitable. But now nearer $5,600, sUghtly above even break. Show folds March. "Clutterbuck," Wyndhams' (23rd \yeek). Opened as big hit, gro.s.sing near $7,500 for some weeks. Has since dropped to nearer $6,400, still okay. . , , Dante, Garrick (6th week). American, illusionist exceeded all expectations, garnering steady weekly intake of $13,200 for 12 shows. Could easily have stayed several more weeks to heftj profits, but vacating Jan, 18 to make room for Laurence Olivier's American hit, "Born Yesterday," which has been touring provinces and is due for London bow Jan. 23. • "Fifty-Fifty," Strand ■■(46th week). Has been very 'profitable venture both for Firth Shephard and Harry Green, having touched $8,000 weekly for many months. Is now nearer $5,600, which is still profitable. Expected to stay virell into summer. "Follow the Girls," His Majesty's <2nd year). Was one of the big West End hits for many, many months, doing as high as $16,000, but has now drifted to nearer $11,600, stiU profitable. Will linger till end of February when replaced by Victor Herbert's "Gypsy Lady," (renamed here "Romany Love"), now touring the provinceii. "Fools Rush In," Fortune (2Gth week). Steady capacity which ' hasnt diminished despite departure of two leads, Derek Farr and Glynis Johns. At around $5,600 it's showing plenty of profit at this small capacity house. "Grand NationaJ Night," Apollo (32nd -week). Has been fairly pj-of1 table for some months, having garnered as high as $7,000 for some weeks of its early run, but is now nearer $5,400, which is about an even break. Vacating Feb. 1st, with "She Wanted a Cream Door" replacing Feb. 5. ^''He''e Come the Boys," Saviile i41st week). Has done fairly well fCr .some months, although not exceptionally, but some weeks ex* ceeded $14,000. Now nearer $8,000. ■wh'ch IS m the red with departure of Bobby Howes, due to serious illness, not helping any. Due to vacate Jan. 25, with "Wizard of Oz," transferring from Winter Gardep, where it has been running for afle"rnoon shows. "High Time," Palladium i39th week). Has been steady grosser for many months, yielding some week? as much as $28,0Q0, but now nearer $20,000, which still shows slight profit; Staying till some time in April when replaced by Val Parneil (Continued on page 15) .