Variety (Dec 1948)

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U. S. Majors Headed for Some Relief From Present Nippon Pix Coin Snag , Tokyo, Nov. 16. • American film companies, which have been exporting their product to Japan for tlie past three years without realizing any dollar in- come from rentals, will get a ■ measutev of relief under the new; contract arrangement announced by Gen. Douglas MaeArthur's headquarters, Actual operation of the Central Motion Picture Ex- change (CMPE), Nipponese dis- tributing agency for American pix, won't be affected, however, and will still have to banlc its yen pro- ceeds in blocked accounts which cannot be converted to dollar credit. • Under the contracts currently being inegotiated, the announce- : ment said> the U. S. Army will make advance payments to firms doing business in occupied ai-eas of the Par East to cover part of their dollar expenses incurred outside the occupation zone. The Army will then be reimbursed for its dollar outlay by the firms con- -cerned in the indigenous currency of the country in which they are operating. The arrangement will .'also apply: to ,U. S. news services and magazine publishers who have been doing business in Japan and Korea on a blocked yen basts. Tile new pacts, however, won't provide for exchange into dollars of any indigenous currency al- .; ready held or which, will be ac- cumulated in the future in excess of actual: operating costs. CMPE, which represents nine major U. S. studios, has banked approximately l,OOOiOOO,000 yen (about $4,000,t 000. at the current military ex^ change rate) in its frozen account since the start of the occupation. No accurate estimates of the acr tual dollar value of this yen can be made until an Official exchange rate is set, presumably. not until the Japanese peace treaty Is signed. Studios represented by CMPE are Monogram-Allied Artists, Co- . lumbia, Metro, Paramount,: RKO- Badio, 20th^Fox, United Artists, U-1 and: WamerSi Claim Italo Slough-Off In Olympic Pic Nix Rome, Nov. 23. The J. Arthur Rank pic on the Olympic Games won't be shown here. Censors turned it down, due to "the complete disregard of Ital- ian participation." Ban has aroused much talk. It's linked with the decision of the Undersecretary Office, which designated the athletes to be sent to London—mostly chosen among Christian-Democrats U.O. being accused of trying to cover up its responsibility for the Italians' fail- ure in London. Since censorship mainly concerns itself with moral questions, the ban, it's ^claimed, recalls methods- of: the Fascist Popular Culture Dept. Columbia Sells Danish Branch Copenhagen, Nov-..;23. ' Preben Philipsen ' has ■ bought control of Columbia Pictures' Dan- ish branch. Philipsen, 38; who al- ready controls three major inde- pendent companies, here, namely Constantin,' Gefion and Trans World, bought from Coluihbia its shares in the Danish company, Co- lumbia Film A/S, and took over the company's entire production for the -next three years for the Danish territory. Hans Malmstrom, Coil's branch manager since 1938, resigned. For the first time in Danish film history, four companies come un- der one hand. Philipsen, since' the liberation, has bought many big American and British: pictures, in- cluding "Best Years of Our Lives,' "The Dictator," and "Bishop's Wife.'' He's tlie son of Constantin Philipsen, who before and during World War 1 was Denmark's cine' ma king. After his death, 20 years ago, his widow, Marie Philipsen, got the license to operate the Rialto cinema, which she still owns. Her son Preben not. only controls four big Danish filfn companies, but has also found time to co-author a Danr ish film farce. This year he also bought, together with another well- known Danish film name, Henning Karmark, the big building on Copenhagen's Broadway; Stroeget, which houses the legit theatre, Ny-: gade Teatret, and several film of-^ 1 fices-., ■ :■, French Nudes to Stand Absolutely Still When Delfont Imports Folies Paris, Nov. 23. Bernard Delfont, London produ- cer, has signed up the whole Folies Bergere show from Paris. The show, which: ends its two-year run In Paris in January, will move, in toto across the channel for a Brit- isli -invasion in March. A new show, starring Josephine Baker, will replace the one going on tour, j : : — ~ ——~~ rectm- of" the extra"^^^^^^^ has EIRE GOVT. MAY SLASH signed up 24 British chormes to add to 4he, 60 he's bringing over from France. Six French nudes will higlilight the show, but wliere- as the Frencli version lets them dance and gyrate, the British law requires that tliey stand absolutely still. Other costumes will be al- tered a little for British censor- Ship officials. But the producer gave his assurance that though the costumes won't be glaring they will be daring. Since costumes, sets, and scenery will be brought over from Paris, the production costs will be, cut in half. IIVTERIVATIOIV AL 18 Ytt Australian ;impr«sario Sir Benjamin Fuller rtvt-tws Show Bix Down Under an •diterial faatur* -' in .Hit ujpeomliit . 43d Anniversary Number •f Straus' lusik' Hit Zurich, Nov. 23 With Oscar Straus'new operetta* "Die MusikKommt"( "Here Comes a'--j,±- j . the Waltz"), a- hit at the opera''"^f.^y "^s"^* <>«";f"fP^OP ITS NEWSREELS TAX Dublin, Nov. 23. Department of Finance is mull- j ing the removal of current tax on imported newsreels, ; according to Prime Minister Jolm Costello. Representatives of exibs and news- reel association have .seen govern- ment finance leaders:: to- discuss the -: ■, tax'T^approximately' 2 cents, per foot on- American -reels-^as none is being brought into Eire at the present, time. Tax always made showing reels in Eire a borderTline proposition and they were dropped during war years; following censor: cuts and stock shortage. British Board of Trade now says it will. release stock for prints of newsreels for Eire showmgs < and association is Korda Own Aussie Distrib,ThniU-I Sydney, Nov. 23. : Sir Alexander Korda, who form^ erly released in Aussie through 20th-Fox, has set up an office here to handle his product himself. Physical distribution of prints, it's understood; : w ill be grooved through Universal - International. New branch will be headed up by Col, Walters, Korda's Aussie rep- resentative. Korda's move to play a lone hand came on the heels of; his break from 20th several weeks ago.: Walters was summoned to London for huddles with his chief and the British producer's decision to op- erate independently Down Under evidently :stemmed from the pair's confabs. Meanwhile, Ron - Mooney switches from 20th to join Walters as his publicity exec. Behind the partial shift to U-I, it's believed, is the attitude of Korda in shying away from any dealings with an American : organization. Due to U-I's various;/Anglo hook* ups; it's not classed as strictly a Yank distrib. In striking out on his own, Korda also scotched a flock of rumors which included, among others, a report that he might come in with J; C. William- son Theatres'pic division. Despite the realignment of Korda's Aussie distribution, the Hoyt loop is assured of his films in any event. Circuit's chief, Ern- est Turnbull, previously had inked a five-year pact for screening the British indie's pix. Thus the films will have wide coverage in both keys and urban areas irrespective of changes in release setups. NEW MEX COMBO USTS 15 FILMS FOR '49 PROD. Mexico City, Nov. 23, Info on 1949' Mexican pic pro- duction is that 15 will be matle by the new combo of, Emilio Azear- raga, William Oscar Jenkins and Gabriel Alarcon, biggie producers-^ exhibitors. They have budgeted $450,000 (U. S.) for the 15 pix. Current indications are that 1948 Mexican pic production will be about 60, not bad considering the trade's sharp depression.. ' Exhibir tion here now. is at a low ebb* Pic of : a major U. S. company only grossed $175 (U. S.) on its open- ling day, usually the biggest, in an I important firstrun downtown cincr ma whose average daily overhead .isi$500 (U. S,). Czecb Check Off Stiff % Distrib Fee For Handling MPEA Pix in New Deal House, composer is-taking it easy here for a while. He's due shortly in: Vienna to conduct a concert to raise funds for the restoration of the State Opera, as well as a broadr cast on Ravag, state^owned radio. . Straus is also, pacted- to conduct »n orch and appear "with it in a Viennese film. SVENSK TO HANDLE 'DUEL' Stockholm, Nov. 23, osition is made profitable.: Film 'Angel' Jugged Rome, Nov. 24. Maurice Seroussi, Egyptian-born French citizen, and on several oc- casions rumored backer of films to be made in Italy, was jailed last week on charges of alleged fraud. Seroussi has been living in Rome for . several months, hob-nobbing Eight American majors, all of with American independent pro- which maintain local offices, won't ducers as a "prospective" backer be handling the Swedish distribu- for films. Among the films he was tion of Selznlck's "Duel in the: Interested in backing was "Christ Sun." Release assignment has been j in Concrete," from the novel by handed Svensk Filmindustrl, onelPietro di Donate. Plans for this of the top local distribs. | story have been in the offing for two Preeiji. is du* Some time in Der years or more, under-the changed -ember. 1 title of "Give Us Tliis Day " Current London Shows (FiQMres ihow we.eks of run) London, Nov. 30. "A La Carte," Savoy (24). "Anatomist," West (5). "Annie Get Gun," Col's'm (78). "Bless the Bride," Adelphi (84). "Bob's Your Uncle," Sav. (30). "Browning," Phoenix (12). ; "Cage; Peacock," Cambridge (34). "Carissima," Palace (38). "ChHtern Hundreds," Vaude (66). "Don't Listen," St. Jas. '13i. "Edward My Son," Lyric (79). "Four, Five, Six," York (81. "Gioconda Smile," Wynd, (25). "Happiest Days," Apollo (36). "Kid From Strat," Princes (9). "Little Lambs," Ambass. (34). "Miss .Mabel," Duches.s (1). "Off Record," Piccadilly (74K "Oklahoma!" Drury Lane (83), "Perfect Woman," Playhouse (12i, "Rain on Just," Aid. (13). "Return of Prodigal," Globe d) "Saloon Bar," Garrick (9). "SUngs St Arrows," Comedy (2). "Solitary Lover," Wint. (2j. "Together Again," Vic Pal. (86). "Wild Duck," St. Mart. (3). "Worms View," Whitehall. Teddington to Reopen With de Grunwald Pic ■ London^ Nov. 30. Warner Bros. Teddington studios are reopening Jan. 3 with Anatole de Grunwald's production of "Now Barabbas." Leasing of the studio as announced by Harold Wilson^ Board of Trade prexy, for a single picture, but de Grunwald is: plan- ning a series of scripts on a con- tinuous shooting program. Arthur S. Abeles, Jr., managing director for Wamerfi in England, said:that employees who were, dis* missed when closure was announced earlier, arc being reinstated. Those still on: the payroll are being re- tained until production resumes. BBC Ikatre TV Deal Hits Snags London. Nov. 30. .■- Suspension' of a-iilm industry television agreement with the Brit- ish Broadcasting - Corp., pending consultation with various unions, was demanded at a joint meeting last week of the Federation of: Theatre Unions and the Film In- dustry Employees Council. While desirous of promoting proper de- velopment of video service, dele- gates approved a: resolution which strongly protests any tele, deal made :without sounding out the attitude of artists, musicians and technicians. A joint: approach is planned to both the BBC and the pic industry which will seek fullest information on the terms of the agreement. Restrictions imposed by Holly- wood producers; which prohibit the use of their pictures on video pro- grams, are also likely to: pi^ove a serious snag in BBC's' film theatre video deal. Resumed discussions last week between the industry and the BBC were: mainly concerned with rental terms, and the type of picture to be made: available. BBC is against the use of oldies, and is asking for productions made within the last 12 to 18 months. There's little likelihood of dis- tributors giving preferential treats ment to the BBC, and any fears that may have existed among: ex- hibs on this score can be dis- counted by the BBC assertion that they can only afford a very low rental for the use of-pix, and can- not be regarded'as'a price com- petitor to picture theatres. ■♦• Although it served to further widen tlie slit in the Iron Curtain, the deal okayed by the Motion Pic- ture Export Assn. with Czechoslo-: vakia last week wrung some stiff concessions from the Americans. Czech film monopoly, under the . pact, which: was negotiated by Eric Johnston in Prague :recently, will . receive a 50% distribution fee for handling MPEA product. Net re- sult is that U. S. companies.will get only IIV4C. out of each boxoific*- doUar. What the Motion Picture Assn.; of America and MPEA prexy was" able to talk the Czechs out of; how- ever, was their demand that rent- als for Hollywood: product show- ing in their country be balanced oflF by returns on Czech pictures: exhibited in. the U. S. It was thii-^ demand that stymied for a year re- newal of the pact with the monop-: oly which expired in October,: 1947.: Czechs finally came through with a new deal when it became obviousj. that they'd need further U. S. films to keep their theatres alight and. that the MPEA wouldn't go for any reciprocal playoff of Czech prod- uct. Latter demand proved prepos-; terous, in any case, since tliert; aren't enough Czech: films made. New deal calls for import of 28 Hollywood features, into, the coun- ^ try :during the year starting.Feb. 1, 1949; In addition to a flat sum ad- vance guarantee per picture, Czechs will remit 75% of MPEA's share of revenue; earned by each picture on a monthly dollar ba.sis. The 25% balance will be blocked for, five years, with MPEA permit- ted to make certain local invest?- ments with it. Theatres, which are state-owned,' will pay 30% rental, out of which the distribution monopoly, will tak«: its 50% fee before sending the 75% of tbe: remainder to New York.: This works: out to remittance of: lH4c. out of each b:o, dollars FIVE U.S. HORROR FILMS BANNED IN FINLAND Helsinki, Nov. 23. U.S. Distribs Set Up An Italian Committee To Head Off Dubbing Tax Rome. Nov. 30. Fighting to head, off a dubbing tax on American films,- a commit- tee of three American distrib rep- : resentatives has been. formed to . protect U.S. film interests in Italy. Committee is bucking the proposal of the Italian government to im- pose a 500 lire per meter dubbing tax on U.S. films would be used to finance the domestic film industry.. In ■ addition, the government is : proposing -a lin:)it of 350: dubbed, foreign pix a year with no limit on original versions. ' : American - reps, however, ara fighting to maintain free importa- tion of films into Italy. Frank Mc- Carthy, Motion Picture Assn. of America continental rep and mem- ber of the. three-man committee^ has indicated American producers Horror film.s took it on the^chm j ^^uifj ^alt their production activi ^ u._ r.-. -" jjgg jj„ j(,jjjy jf barriers were imposed.: Other members of the committee ate Armando Messinelli,' Metrb territorial chief ,: and Vladi- mir Lissim, RKO continental rep. when the State Censorship Board recently barred five American- made chillers. Only - pix to: be banned outright in Finland so far this year, they are "Temptation," "Mummy's Curse," "Ghos,t of Frankenstein," "Pearl of Death" and "Frozen Ghost," ail Universal- International. Market for this type: product in Scandinavia is generally confined to Sweden. Censors there are in- clined to be more lenient with such films although prints are frequentr ly scissored. India Keeps Tight Rein ^ On Bombay, Nov. 23. Oificials in India keep a tight rein on the import of feature length .■ films in 16m, in order to prevent competition with the 35m 4 • TT „ r»„j, theatres. Practically all of the im- AuSSie Film House Kat ports come from the U. S. About Rit<» Ttrinvfi 4900 Award: 220 U. S, features in 16m are cur- BUe i5nngs ^mv Awara ^.^^^j^ distribution m mdia. Melbourne, Nov. 23. National Theatres, an urban cine- ma loop, was sued by a patron for an alleged:: bite -by a rat during a night performance. He claimed the rat ran up his leg and started gnaw- ing him. : Local judge handed the patron :$200 for the damage. Theatre man- agement may seek a retrial. CUBA PIX B.O. UP Havana, Nov. 30. Boxoffice receipts In Havana for Augu.st amounted to $184,582, con- trasted with $127,136 in July. Of the 26 August releases, 20 were from Hollywood, two from Mexico, two from Argentina, and one each from France and Britain. The American films earned $153,- 772, or 83.39'o of the total. in: with another 100 in stock for future release in that country. During the year ending July 31 , last, Bombay censors reviewed 70 , U. S. and 10 Indian 16m pictures, i Rentals for 16m features in In- dia run about $30 per day and about $3 per reel for shorts. When ■ tiiey are sold; on a percentage to , theatres, the percentage asked it I 50'i:r. There are countless villages I in India with no theatres and all of these are potential -markets for 1 16m. One hundred- 35m' and 155,16m theatres are in operation in tho German occupation zones, Military Government's Motion Picturo Service announced. One 35m the-. atre In JFassberg and one 16m house each in Bamberg and Helii-- stcdt were opened recently.