Variety (July 1949)

16 •VAKIKTY'S’ fiONDON OFFICC • 8t. MMrtiu'B l‘lN«?e, TniftUcMr mur* lIVTERIVATlO^'Ar. Israel, in First Year, Sees Film Production Set Up on Large Scale fJfv'" I CEA Nix ol lO-Yr.-Old Pix for Brit. TV May Cause Rift, Inviting Competition Tel Aviv, June 26. < The fir.'Jt year of Israel’s existence as an independent state saw considerable activity in the field of film production. Several companies have completed films to their credit and have laid plans for the future. Most active in this connection is Palestine Films, with oflices in Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv and .Mew York, and headed by Norntan Lourie and Joseph Krumgold. Their first feature, “Dream No More." is scheduled for release in New York in the fall. Four other documentaries, titled “Israel lleborn” (released through 20th-Fox>. “Israel In Action." • Ncgba" and “Home Coming 1949” are now in distribution. This company has a number of other documentaries in production, particularly the film “48 Hours a Day Mwo-reelcr», “Haganah” (tworeeler', “Folk Dances of Israel” U-olort. The company has pU»ns for a second feature to follow “Dream No More.” A second company in active production is Carmel Films, headed by Natan Axelrod. This company, with the support of the Israeli Ministry of Interior, produces a fortnightly newsreel titled “Carmel News,” exclusively for distribution in Israel. A third group, headed by Joshua Brandstaetter, is crystalizing plans for the establishment of studio facilities for the benefit of foreign and local producers. During the year, important film personalities have visited Israel. Director Fred Zinneman was here with writer Stuart Stern, accompanied by Montgomery Clift. John Summerfield, w'riter Joseph Leytes and cameraman Lorry Friedman, visited Israel from London and produced a documentary short. Palestine Films brought Victor , Vicas as cameraman-director and Richard Bagly as combat camera1 man. to cover the Arab-Isracl war. A further feature is now in production by the Palestine Foundati(»n Fund, titled “The Blessing and the Curse.” Israel's First Studio Woi k began this week on a | $600,000 motion picture studio — , Israel’s first — in Herzlia, near here. , 1'he 20-acre lot will be rented to ^ local and foreign producers. I The enterprise, which is linked , with Hollywood through an advisory council of leading studio per j sonalities, may be used by Yank | companies who have $600,000 in earnings frozen here by currency ' restrictions. i The American Associates of I.srael, pic company with branches in L.A., Chi and N.Y., has a 50'w ' interest in the project and will export equipment from the U. S. Israeli paHners will construct a laboratory and sound stage on land allocated by the Jewish National ' Fund. I I Mex Union Boycott Of Olympiad Pic Fizzles Mexico City, July 5. City government’s endorsement nipped the boycott the National C'inemalographic Industry Workers Union uSTIC'i had ordered for the J. .\rthur Rank tinter of the Loni don Ol.N inpiad. Pic got off big <30) at the t'ine Olympia, one of the three first-run houses of the Cadena de Oro 'Golden Chain), big local cinema circuit. Preem was hypoed by the stage presentation of the \\inner of a 3.000-metcr race here Kxhibition indicates Mexicowide screening for the pic which Eagle Lion is distributing, S'l'IC ordered the boycott as retaliation for the banning of Mexican newsreel photogs from the Olympiad because exclusive pic rights had been granted Rank by the British government. London, July 5 When “The Snake Pit” is shown in the London suburb of Croydon, the foreword, explaining that the film does not represent conditions in Britain, will have to be repeated at the end of the picture. This decision was taken by the local council by 27 votes to 19 after specially viewing the pic to decide whether it was suitable for local presentation. British Exhibs Woo Producers Gleneagles, Scotland, June 29. British cinema exhibitors, meet1 ing in summer confab here, spoke [ out strongly on two major points 1 — video and liaison with pic pro1 ducers. They agreed that their , present trade policy of declining j to supply films to the BBC for < television be continued. And they heard that the first demonstration to cinema exhibs of big-screen TV, with programs transmitted from Alexandra Palace and the film studios, will be given at Penge (London) Odeon in September. Delegates decided to “become friendly” with J. Arthur Rank and the British Film Producers As.sn. rhey formed a body of six to talk films with the producers’ group. Sir Alexander King. Cinema Exhibitors Assn, national prexy, said the new committee would put forward views of exhibs and make suggestions as tp type of pix suitable in their, areas. Stating, he was suspicious of “pe(uliar committees formed from lime to time.” .lack Prendergast, of York, said: “If the producers have learned their lesson, that the future of the film industry is with the exhibitors, then this committee can be of some use.” $ Shortage Changes Arg. Way of Life Buenos Aires, June 26. The dollar shortage in Argentina is affecting entertainment biz in more ways than one. On the one hand it stymies importation of acts which must be paid in dollars. On the other hand the inability to import much needed spares and equipment for electric power houses caused the municipality to decree early closing hours for all type offices and stores, in order to ease the strain on the worndown power plants. Business offices, formerly open until 8 p.m. in many cases, must close on the dot of six (janitors have orders to evict and fine any tenants who stay overtime). Retail stores must close at 6:30, with the exception of markets and food stores. .Although no change has been made in closing hours of theatres, film houses, niteries, cafes and restaurants, the surge of office workers pouring out of office buildings at six, floods into the cafes and film theatres. This may well bring a change in theatre-going habits. Argentines have always been accustomed to work very late hours, dining well after nine or 10 at night, and taking a long lunch hour. Now on being turned out of their offices early, they flock to the 6:15 film sessions, and go home to dine after, instead of dining first and seeing a late pic after. The people feel deeply resentful against this enforced change in their way of living and the government comes in tor heavy criticism. \ Assoc. Brit. Gross Profit Up 50G Over Previous Yr. London, July 5. .Associated British Picture Corp., for the year ended March 31 last, revealed a trading profit of $8,155,048, slightly more than $50,000 up on the previous year. Increased allocations for depreciation and amortization as well as interest on fixed charges has meant a slight drop in the net profit, which is now shown as $1,802,452, a decline of $153,152. Payment of final dividend of 12t2'"o makes, with the interim payment of 7'2'^c. a total of 20%, which compares with 22' 2^/0 for the previous year. S. Africa Mulls Biz Bad at Paris Opera, Opera Comique; Hirsch Tries U. S. Guester Hypo Paris, July 5. Slumping attendance at the Opera and Opera Comique has f<»reed the management to lean toward a guest star policy in the hopes of stimulating business. Heeenlly Kirsten Flagstad gro.ssed $4 500 in "Tri.stan” in German, although “Faust” gro.ssed only $1,800 and tlie Opera ballets took in c\’en less. Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaio” was also disappointing (Georges Hir.sch, director of both hou.ses. is trying to book U. S. ballerina Tamara Toumanova at either theatre Now at Covent Garden. Londr)n. Miss Toumanova is not believed likely to play Paris this .xear, and in any event the dancer s appearance will have to he approved by Marquis de Cuevas’ Grand Ballet de Monte Carlo, to which she is under contract. 'r«*p •alary foi a Parisian star is $150 monthlv, but it’s understood that Hirseh has secured government approval to pay the ballerina three times as much. Mayer’s Efforts Avert ^ic Strike in Tel Aviv u ' Tel .Aviv, June 28. Threat of a strike by employees of RKO. Paramount, Metro, WarI iiers and 20th-Fox has been temI porarily averted due to efforts of (lerald Mayer. European representative for the Motion Picture Assn, of America, who assumed complete charge of negotiations tor I he film companies during a brief visit here. ( He's returned to Paris. • Workers were to have walked out .lime 15. when months of dickei'ing with the firms for a contract calling for belter working conditions and higher pay proved t ru it less. .Asided from attempting to solve the jabor dispute with the Histadrulh <.)ewish Labor l.hiion). which represents the film employees. .Maver also conferred with the Isr.u'l government in an effort to obtain an arrangement whereby the American comfianies would be able to remit blocked earnings to the U .S, .All film revenue has been frozen sime the end of the British mandate. British Lion Exec Cites Rep’s OK B.O. to Accent England Likes Yank Pix ; American pictures still have a I strong appeal for British filmgoers, Sidney ,A. Myers, assistant manI aging director of British Lion Film Corp., Ltd., declared in N. Y. prior to planing to England after a threeweek U. .S. stay. Giting the pull of Republic product which BL disibules 111 the United Kingdom, he exec noted that in a recent 17-week Rep sales drive some 48% more business was written than in the comparable period of the preceding year. Despite the fact that BL is experiencing its “bigge.st year” in the company’s history. Myers observed the British boxoftice is off about 15-20' f from last year. He attributed the decline to a “seasonal drop” combined with a shortage of money in the hands of film pati’ons. ’’V<»ry big” pictures, he held, still draw strong attendance but lesser films are chiefly responsible for theatremen’s poor business. Turning to the British indu.stry’s outlook, the distribution topper feels that conditions are considerably improved since the government came forward with its Film Finance Gorp. to aid independent filmmakers. While in the U. S., Myers visited the (’oast to .scan upcoming Rep product and al.so huddled with Rep prez Herbert .1. Yales. Discussions were also held on a possible arrangement whereby Rep would release .several British pix in the .American market. Film Quotas Cape Town, June 28. Government is reported once more investigating the stepping up of South African film production, and that John Grierson, controller of the film division of the British State Information Office, has been invited to come out and assist as a one-man committee. The previous government appointed a committee to investigate the production of films in the Union. This committee’s recommendations were that the state should subsidize this, and that a definite amount of screen time for South African films should be insured by a quota system. With the elections and the resulting change of government, the matter was shelved, but it now appears that steps are being taken to implement these recommendations. The industry didn’t take very kindly to the idea of a quota system when it was broached some time ago. It was then pointed out that the films being produced (mostly shorts and documentaries plus two or three full-length Afrikaans dialog features) were quite adequate for local requirements. The limited market meant heavy financial loss for more ambitious film production itnle.ss the pictures were good enough for British and American screening. So far there has been no comment from the industry anent this new move. ^ London, July 5. I A compromise formula, which I advocated that films exhibited beifore 1939 should be made available 'for TV. has been given the nix by Jhe General Council of the Cinematograph Exhibitors A.ssn. at its summer conference at Gleneagles. i Exhibs made it clear that they would not stand for any form of competition with the government monopoly TV service and pointed out that even oldies made 15 yeai-s ago still have substantial boxoffice appeal. Proposal for the compromi.se was put forward to the CEA by its general secretary, Walter R. Fuller, who sugge.sted that a negative attitude would inevitably lead to a rift in the industry. He advocated that the trade should not bar, for an experimental period of one year, films more than 10 years old. He warned that failure to make an agreement on these lines would lead the BBC to seek films from other sources and also to undertake production on their own account. for which they have purchased the necessary equipment. Rejection of the Fuller memorandum means that the exhibiting industry is fighting for the retention of the status quo and will not yield ground until there is some indication that there will be something in return from the BBC. And the minimum theatre owners accept will be the right to televize from an industry-owned studio direct to their own theatres. Although having previously agreed to a cautious policy so far as big-screen TV was concerned, exhibs will, with other sections of the industry, press for facilities to receive BBC and private programs when the inquiry into the new BBC charter starts its w’ork under the chairmanship of Lord Beveridge. Exhibiting interests, notably the Rank and Bernstein groups, are still hoping that there will be a government greenlight which will enable them to put on studio to theatre TV shows by the fall of this year. .VI a V r r in Rome Raw Stock Scarce Rome, June 28 Raw stock in Rome is .scarce Ai lliiv time, only British and Italian .... I ;ii( in i*rndi(ct ion m ll.ilv. (.<*rald Ma.ve lor (he Motion America, ha.*! been Ameiican lio.spital Paris llosp Paris, .Inly .5. contincmtal rep Picture A.ssn. of bedded in the in F^atis with PASZTOR IN ISRAEL Pel .Aviv, .lune 20. Bela Pasztor. wellknown Hungarian author and film director, arrived in Israel with his family to .*!eltle here. Seideliiian Cantious On Europe’s Outlook Sharp decline in European theatre business is reported by Joseph H. Seidelman, Universal’s foreign chief, on his return to the U. S, last week from a seven-week trip through the continent. Declaring that the film outlook in Europe is currently “most uncertain,” Seidelman estimated that gro.sses were off 20%-25% from last year. Seidelman attributed part of the slide from a previous peak to the fact that “the cost of living is fanta.stically high.” Both exhibs and the public have been growing in»creasing selective, he said. U’s foreign topper will name an American to head the company’s new German operations within 30 days. Rest of the staff will be German. U. along with other companies. expects to open its office before the first of the year. .Seidelman thinks U has one big advantage when the company goe.s into its own German operations. It has several German-language pix starring Francisea Gaal which Joseph Pasternak produced in 1935 just before the Nazis closed down on the American companies. Pix. never played before for the Teutons. will tee off the company’s 1950 program. Brit. Film Distributiou l&ssle Brings $85,000 Damage Sdt m N. Y. Maurice J. Wilson, who entered into a five-year distribution deal with International Film Classics in 1946, has filed an $85,000 breach of contract action in N. Y. supreme court against IFC. Plaintiff claims that when he took over a quantity of pictures from IFC in 1946 for distribution and exhibition in the United Kingdom the defendant repre.senled the entire batch of pix to be “all-talking.” Later, he asserts, some 60 out of 200 two-reel comedies proved to be non-talking. Aside from the shorts, several full-length features are involved in the agreement as well as 18 Laurel & Hardy films. Wilson, who paid £ 1.200 for the 35 m and 16m right. s to the pictures in the U.K.. also wants the court to cancel his purchase on 125 of the picture.s. Suit came to light last week when the plnintiff's motion to examine an IFC officer was denied by .lustice Aron J. Steuer, Court, however, granted leave to renew the motion at a later date. In its answers. IFC makes a general denial of all allegations and asks dismissal of the action. A $7,500 counterclaim is also entered. Defendant contends that when the '46 (leal was made. Wilson was .supposed to assume the cost of the prints. It’s stated that out of » total print expense of $13,500. he allegedly paid only $6,000. IFC's papers also point out that prior to the start of Wilson's suit the defendant a.ssigned all it.s film ligbl* to the International Optima (’orp. and liabilities, if any, have been assumed by Optima. (I.\senlei> on eon labs with Fox piew. M;v\er bad and Im.’ii I on his rehirn from Rome .Spx ro.s Skouras. 2()lh al.***! xisiled Gr<*eee .M P A A iiosines.s. Par’s Hadley, Levi in U.S. Pilade Levi. Paramount’s branch manager in Rome, and Ku.ssell Hadley, company * general manager in India, are currently visiting the U. S. Levi i.s on the Coast or a oneweek stay. Hadley arrived Monday <4) In New York and is huddling with Paramount e.xecs. I Manila Pix Guild First Ann! Manila. .lune 21 The Philippine Motion Piclurf Guild w ill mark its fir.st anni * celebration at Manila hotel’s Fie.sta I’avillion July 10. The affair will he directed by Oscar Moreno. .Sampaguita Picture.^’ star, who wnli be assisted by filmites. studio nnj“ cials and members of the guilds directorate. Proceeds of the celebration v'dl go to the guild’s benefit fund