Variety (Oct 1948)

22 WedoesJay, October 13y 1948 Exhibs Invading Tele Continued from p«ig« S Bideralion. Another is the estab- lishment ot a theatre television dis- tribution system for theatres ex- clusively wfhich would handle spe- cial events of wide interest. Dis- tribution could be had either through use «rt TOA stations, rental of time over coaxial cables or spe- cial deals made with existing Video stations. Suspicious Exhibitors TOA has been under increasing pressure by indie members, par- ticularly, to launch into a big pro- gram on video. There is a consid- erable indie exhib wing in TOA with suspicions that the producers, «r some of them, may ultimately throw over theatres in favor, of selling their product directly to television. This development Is thought more liltely in the event the anti-trust suit culminates in partial or complete divorcement of theatres. Night sports and other special events telecast are already hurting business, exhibs aver, and are ex- pected to cut more deeply into fFosses as tele stations spread out, act that the public is shopping for entertainment, with one amuse- ment, branch vying with all others for the spending dollar is adding impetus to the exhib idea of en- tering video. TOAers .see the need for self-protection and are follow- ing the .slogan laid down at the recent Chicago convention of the group: :'.'If you can't lick 'em, Join 'em." Wolfson's committee will' also swing into a campaign to get pro- ducers to traileri?.<! their films over television as p.'ut of their na- tional publicity campaigns. Nation- al Scr^eii Service is also being aslced to checic into the feasibility of making trailers which can be both shown in theatres and used by distribs over television. At the same time, committee will also ask distribs to completely eliminate re- lease to tele of features made for theatrical exhibition. Sullivan's checkup into availS" | bility of new ultra-high channels j for theatres is considered timely i because the FCC is currently con- | sidering proposals to move into the higher band where more chan- nels would be useable. Exhibs feel they missed the boat heretofore when they stood by and allowed radio broadcasters and newspapers to cop' almost all present channels. FIVE-STAR DC-6 FLAGSHIPS LdS ANGELES 11 hours, 10 minutes CHICAGO hours Phon» HAvamvyair 6>5000 '«r y«ur trnvsl agent T/cfc*f Off/cffs: AirHhei Tsrminat ttocktfelhr Center • Hotel New York*f 120 Broodwo/ • Hotel, St. GeorB* AMERICAN AIRLINES Aussie Remittance SB Continued from page 3 ■ living' quarters for people of mod- est means. Complaints of over- sentimentality and romantic exag- gerations are often heard. U. S. humor, some say, is not as .subtle I as British humor, but, on the other | hand, U. S. comedians have an < enthusiastic following. Other countries reported on: NETHERLANDS: U. S. Is figured as likely to have between 36 and: 38 weeks playing time a year there under the plan worked out by Bioscoop Bond, the film monopoly, r although it will run less if Dutch } production increases. The Bond I revamped a suggestion of the Neth- [ eriands government to allow 40 weeks of U. S. pix into one which provides 18 weeks of U. S. features in first iialf year and 20 weeks during second half of year ending Aug. 26, 1949. PORTUGAL: Country has sharply curtailed ail U. S. imports due to,scarcity of dollar exchange; In July import of American films was temporarily suspended so that the exchange situation could be canvassed. It was then agreed that the 1948 remittances should be the .same as in 1947. A total of $600,- 000 was allocated, $534,000 for re- mittances and $66,000 for purchase of raw film.. This is considered a good break forHoIlywood since the ba.se year of 1947 was a very profit- able one for Hollywood in Portugal. ICELAND: Imports of American films have been curtailed here be- cause of the shortage of dollar exchange. Films fcom other coun- tries have also been restricted to a lesser extent lor the .same rea.son. Several theatres in Reykjavik were closed for short periods because 1 no pictures were available for them. Russ, Yugo Deals Eric Johnston, IVIotion Pic- ture -Ass'n. of America's prexy, has informed members of the MPAA board that his film deal with Russia and Yugoslavia is conditioned on their consent to the proposal. Johnston has worked out complete details with the two .countries but has an understanding with these governmental bodies that the final okay must be given first by the board. He will meet with the directors to present the proposed pact Immediately upon his return. Johnston's ukase in London, early in his trip, that American pix must be packaged apart when sold'tovBriti^h theatres, was not an on-the-spot decision by the MPAA chief, it has also been learned; Contrary to be- lief, he had reached an under^ standing with company prexies to ban mixed double-billing of Yank Alms with British before crossing the Atlantic. His Lon' doi) announcement merely ikn- plemented that decision. - Johnston's Confab Continued from page S proposed film deals with Russia and Yugoslavia, Production problems will also find themselves on the agenda. Government antitrust suit' which goes before the statutory court during or immediately after the Coast huddles will be discussed. Distribution tangle is in for con siderable talking with the stress on recent red ink in which a isum' ber of companies have recently found themselvesv Public relations problem, to the fore again because of the Robert Mitchum case, will also help drag out the huddles. Indicative of the length of the series of meets is the fact that Johnston's office has cancelled speaking engagements of the MPAA prexy which he had plan- ned for Oct. 29 and the first week in November. $45,000,000 Foreign B.O. Continned from paee 3 THE SHOWMAN'S FRIEND ■ * 500 Modern Rooms with both and radio "Foremost on file Coast" ALEXANDRIA HOTEL Fifth «f spring * Loi Anqeles FRANK WALKER, General Manager Formerly it Oltnsfed, Cleveland, O. Theatre Sales ; Continued from pate 3 ; Caivert Scboo! comes to you Kifldergarten llirfu{h ninth cnrde • You can give your clilld a sound educn- tion ai Aofiie, without teiu^liliiK experience. Modern tested methods, guidauce by OU- vert teachers. Used by 78,000 children. £ailyv Icfisous, Iwoks, supplies included at Cost. Start anr time. Write- for •trtaloe, giving chlld'.<i age, school grade. CALVERT SCHOOL III9E Tuscany Road.-BftitlFllflre lOi, /JHll.' . ' piri.se Henil ni« riiil. Jnformiitliui r ubonf 'CalTcft II«ni<]-.StuUy courses. N«a)e ....V A4Mrc8a v. ;;' .i Now Specializing I in Refreshment mm Service for [DRIVE-IW THEATRESy ISPORTSERVtCE, Inc. jAt;o«s mo%. HURST BLQG. .ttUf(!ALO,.W.^Y. celerated by an all-time high being currently asked and paid for the- atre realty. With construction ma- terials still ballooning, prospective .sellers have generally fixed a price of seven times one year's earnings for flickeries offered to buyer.s. "That's a big chunk for anyone to digest who is moving inj" one ex- hib shopper said. "It's too high by any standard but sellers are get- ting it nonetheless, Unle-ss it car- ries with it the real e.state besides the lease, there may be plenty of failures in the next 10 years." Big deals are expected despite the fact that there is not as much money around as fast year: For I instance, number of indie circuit I operators have already sounded out major companies on the possibility of buying Government - attacked houses. The big factor, it's said, is that theatres which have been tightly held for many years mu.st go with a consequent tremendous loosening of the entire realty mar- ket:-'" Bank credit is tighter because the retirement of the public debt has been drawing on reserves; All banking associations have been warning their members to watch loans on realty and that awarenes.s will act as a partial but far from complete bralce ^on theatre transac- tions. Regardless, insiders are still con- vinced that the next 12 months will bring on the unprecedented volume of sales. "Construction costs are so high and theatres-for- sale have been so scarce that the buying impulse has built up to an all-time high," ' one observer summed up. Johnston's AMPP Push May Set Oif Fireworks X,os Angeles, Oct. 12. Fireworks are expected when major company prexies huddle with Eric .Tohnston and studio toppers Oct. 20-22. Though meeting re- portedly is to cover various phases of the industry, plus Johnston's re-* port of his European negotiations and trip, a big issue is expected to come when Johnston attempts to take over operations of Ass'n of Motion Picture Producers' Holly- ! wood organization, and .suggest that : he be authorized to engage for it a top calibre Jeader. Y. Frank , Freeman of Paramoimt, has been I acting chairman since Byron Price ' resigned. I Producers here are greatly op- poijed to N. Y.,operating the local organization, whose problems are different from those of the Motion Picture Ass'n of America, of which Johnston is prexy. Johnston wants to abolish Hollywood authority over this office, while studio heads arc determined to circumvent such a move. They feel that local labor problems, as well as inter-studio problems, can't be taken away with advantage from studio heads and members of boards or directors who are studio men familiar with production. None of members of local AMPP board is a member of MPAA. Stu- dio men aren't opposed to bringing in a salaried man to replace Byron Price, who was in charge for over !a year, but they want a man "who know^ the business." Hammond (Ind.) Suit Vs. 14 Major Distribs Chicago, Oct. 12. Peter Poulos, operator of the Ace theatre, Hammond^ Ind., fourth- run' nabe, Hied suit In Chi federal court Friday (8) against 14 major distributors, charging them with conspiring to monopolize film ex- hibition, suppressing competition, and discriminating in rental rates. He charges that 20-day clearance was allowed first-run houses. Par- amount and Partheon; seven-day subsequent clearance to Orpheum, and 14 day.s' extra time to the Calumet, after which the Ace was allowed to exhibit Operator seeks an injunction and an order barring waiting time for films. uation, U. S. fllmites will have some aces in bucking the current tendency to brush off film Import payments because of the "luxury" tag. "We cooperated with you when your coin was short," the in- dustry's argument will run, "and now we v^'nt you to return to a normal do, .ars-for-goods basis." Judging from past performances of the U. S. Stale Department, the industry now realizes that it has to travel under its own power in the world market, future deals with foreign countries will have to be hammered put Without help from Government officials who, ac- cording to foreign division chiefs, have been too quick to regard films as a "dispensable item." The in- dustry's burn at the State Dept. was climaxed by its exclusion from the Marshall Plan allocations. .: BriUin and France On the basis of agreements fixed with England and France, the two largest markets, the industry is as- sured a minimum of $20,500,000 in remittances from these two coun- tries. Britain's allowance of $17,- 000,000 yearly in remittances, how- ever, will be increased by the cred- its on the earnings of English pix in the U. S. American companies will earn about $30,000,000 in Bri- tain in 1948. J. Artliur Hank's strongest en- tries. "Hamlet" (Universal), "The Red Shoes" (Eagle Lion). "Scott of the Antarctic" (EL) and "Chris- topher Columbus" (U), are slated to gross over $5,000,000 next year with an estimated net profit to Rank of $2,000,000 Which will be credited to the U. S. industry. Britain's full schedule of pix in the U. S. may add several millions to this figure. Under the ,U. S.-French agree- ment, American remittances have been fixed at $14,500,000 over the next four years, representing liqui- dation of funds blocked prioi- to June 30, 1947. plus .some current income. Terms limit American pix to 121 per year with the quota for playing time of domestic prod- uct upped to 10'weeks out of every 26.' In Belgium, one of the free mar- ket outposts remaining in Europe, U. S. earning.s will hit the $4,000,- 000 mark next year. Switzerland, another free market area, is slated to return slightly under $2,000,000. Norway, Holland, Denmark; Swe- den and Portugal, all currently im- posing restrictions of one or an- other kind on coin remittances to the U. S.. are likely to account for 1 another $2,000,000. Italy, Spain I and Finland have complete bans on I remittances, while the rest of Eu- 1 rope, behind the "Iron Curtain," I are being handled by the Motion Picture Export Assn. because of the peculiar monetary: and political conditions existing there. Au.ssie and South America In Australia, U. S. companies will earn approximately $3,5Q0i000 representing 70% of the total rev- enues Down-under, with the Aus- sies freezing the remainder. Also in the Far East, India, Burma, Singapore, the Philippines. Siam and Hong Kong permit free re- mittances, With U. S. films expected to earn over $5,000,000 In those countries. China, Indo-China and Burma, have blocked all remit- tances. In South America. U. S, film companies have been belted by price-fixing and rental regulations in Brazil which has resulted in a complete stoppage' of operations there. Brazil represented a $6,- 000,000 market Another $6,000,- .000 market, Mexico, has recently been slashed to $4,000,000 by the 33% devaluation of the peso. Ar- gentina at the present time per- mits no remittances 'but film im- ports into that country are continu- ing until "dollars are made av^tlt- able by the Argentine Central Bank." Peru, likewise, has banned remittances. Such countries as Peru, Bolivia and Colombia are restricting U. S. dollars to a trickle. The rest of South and Central America are free market areas whei'e U. S. com- panies, will remit from $3,000,000 to $4,000,000 net in the coming year. In thevrest of the world, South Africa, with no restrictions, will re- mit approximately $2,000,000 to the U. S. Palestine has banned the outflow of gold for pix since the formation of the I.sraeli govern- ment although an early agreement is expected. Egypt permits remit- tances only in sterling, forcing U. S. companies to exchange the pounds for dollars in the world market. The other Near Eas| countries, Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria, have Imposed special Te« strictions on dollar payments for U. S. fllnw. Yank Filmers Continued trom page i cording to the Yank spokesmen, is the reason for Rank's poor grosses in this country. Only way Rank can, hope to widen his toehold on American screens, they declared, is on aiCom>- petitlve basis, His product must stack up picture for picture against domestic product.They conceded that Universal and Eagle Lion. Rank's two U. S. releasing outlets, faced a severe problem in selling British ,fllms here and tossed a bow in U's direction for "breq,king its back" in trying to line up dates. Finally, they pointed to the tre- mendous grosses being rolled up by "Hamlet" in Boston and New York currently as proof that a good British film will do business in th« U. S., citing the Boston date as evl-^ dence that the attempted boycott hadn't hurt the film's business. . Lord Off For 'Tokyo' Hollywood, Oct. 12. Robert Lord leaves for Japan Oct. 14 to check backgrounds for the Humphrey Bogart starrer, "Tokyo Rose," > which Santana Productions will make for Colum- bia release. ■ Lord will be accompanied by Cyril Hume^ screenwriter, and Jason Lindsay, location scout. GEORGE WRIGHT * — ORGAN/ST — Carrmtly PARAMOUNT THEATRE NEW YORK New York Theatres JANEWYMAN/ >nrrsoii LEW AYRES / FREDDy CHARtO eiCKR3RD JERRY WALD BfiOS - XNDREISItYEULMmr ftf^/HAIR ( DEAN STRAf/D, iOPENS 9 AM UTE FHMAT 12:31 AM jUTi mit sm ii:ts ri • ma w inn ""•^ I M riiiii nil' • 11 i»iiiiLii.ni [ ||| B |i mim -i——— - - - VICTOR MATURE • RICHARD CONTE "CRY OF THE CITY A 20th C«ntui-y-l'o)i PIfture ON VA'fflETV 8TA6E.--0ANNV tHOMAS THt SHVneTTOS .- MARIE McDONALO ON ICE STAOE-^"THE BLUE DANUIC'r 'Slwrl»» JOAN .HYLOOFT ■ — ROXY'iiv-^ HOWARD HAWKS' IBEiiiiwimt *n nimiwrsiii Wi Ml Wlfc IISIMttll ENM.KJMMSIK — RADIO CITY MUSIC HAU Rockefeller Center [GREER GARSON • WAITER PIDGEON^ in "JULIA MISBEHAVES" ' I'Kter Kll7.iilH>tli (Vfinr LAWFOKD VAVI.OK KO.UKHOj ■ A Metrn-Gol<lwyn%\liiy«"r Picture SPECTACULAH STAGE PBE5ENTATI0M