Variety (August 1950)

'VARIETY'S' LONDON OFFICE • It Martln'9 PI act/ Trafalgar Square INTERNATIONAL 15 Rep For Reasonable Prices Boosts Austria’s Tourist Biz to 12-Yr. High Vienna, Aug, 8. "f 4 With the visiting firemen sea- son just hitting full stride, Aus- trian tourist figures show Austrian, mainly through its rep as the cheapest on the continent" for travelers has already exceeded its 1938 record. That was the coun- try’s top year for foreign visitors despite the Hitlerian anschluss in March. Npw with other countries and especially Paris giving the visitors the feeling of having been clipped or sand bagged at every turn, the ' pastoral Austrian countryside is reaping a harvest very welcome to holtelkeepers and the state. It also is soothing to the tourists who find a visit to the city by the Blue Danube or even the Salzburg area, where prices are inflated as Festival time ap- proaches, costing about a third of other spots.. Even in the height of the season, a couple can be bedded in top style and eat and drink four squares (afternoon snack includedkfor under $10. That is a pleasure after Paris or . even Munich dinner checks averaging that much for a single meal plus a bottle of wine. Few Go to Vienna The Austrian government esti- mate for this year’s foreign in- vasion is a total of 600,-000 people not counting the unwelcome Russ- kis. By the end of June, 250,000 had already checked in. July book- ings alone are set for another 150, 000, with the Salzburg Festival drawing probably half of that num- ber. Aside from the Yanks whose dollars are especially welcome, Austria is getting a big play from Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium and England. Only a modest per- centage find their way to Vienna, because of additional red tape necessary in getting travel permits through the Soviet zone which sur- rounds the city. Tourist people also think of recent publicity along “Third Man” lines both through that pic and in magazines like Colliers, and this has scared nerv- ous travelers away from this close approach to the Iron Curtain des- pite the apparent peacefulness of Vienna life. Effect of the Korean excitement has been unnoticeable in tourist bookings. From one standpoint tourists here benefitted by Far Eastern crisis because dollar-schill- ing exchange in the “free” market jumped from a mere fraction over the official rate of 26 schillings to $1 to 29 or better. Visitors to Oberammergau’s Pas- sion Play report that the little Ba- varian town is scalping tourists un- mercifully. Extras piled onto the inclusive tickets which cover play tix, board and lodging have cleaned out customers to the point where German and Allied occupa- tion authorities are threatening a crackdown. Similar, beefs are bound to arise during the Salz- burg festival when hotels within commuiting range of performances more than double their rates. Tickets for the more important concerts, operas and plays of the Festival were sold out a day after going on sale. In case of big events like Menuhin concert or top opera performances by spe- cial casts, ticket specs try to get $10 a ticket, or three times face value. Legal Gambling Back As the tourist stream grew, Austria opened up legal gambling again for the first time since the war. First casino to start the wheels turning is in Bad Gastein resort near Salzburg. Others are to ! be opened in Salzburg -and at' Baden, resort town in the Russ zone near Vienna. Baccarat, rou- lette and chemin de for are offered by the syndicate which goes part- ners with federal and provincial governments in banking the play. Dealers were imported from Monte Carlo and French casinos with bets set from 15c to a $80 maximum. The cool reception and poor profit of dice tables at Monte make it obviously unprofitable to roll ’em, hence no dice games. Salzburg, with thousands of U,S. Army men stationed nearby, might make crap games worthwhile. The country’s entertainment and cultural center moved to Salzburg in July with principal Vienna theatres, one of the town’s two operas and all concerts shut down until September, Communist ‘Vadis’ Strike Rome, Aug. 1. Communist members of the per- sonnel now working on the giant production, “Quo Vadis,” being made at the Rome Cine-Citta stu- dio by Metro, tried to pull an un- authorized strike here today (1). Head of the Communist union said he knew nothing about it when called upon to explain the sudden action. These threats have come up from time to time. Communist dailies here carry long stories about the “trouble” they are hav- ing at the studios. The next day the papers print a retraction. Unit production manager Henry Henigson said: “There is no strike. They tried to start one, but it didn’t go through. Not everyone was in on it, only those belonging to the Communist union.” Seek Formula In British Tax Pool London, Aug. 8. A formula for the distribution of monies paid by exhibitors in the production subsidy pool as a result of the new admission tax relief plan, is now being devised by British Producers before submis- sion to other trade organizations. Although details have yet to be worked out, it is believed the fund will be at the disposal of all British pictures screened after a certain date. So far as can be learned, this means that the pool will not only benefit current productions, but will also assist oldies still going the rounds. As a first step, the company now being formed to administer the pool, is concentrating on the meth- od of collection from exhibs, all of whom have to pay over half of the tax relief granted by the govern- ment. It is anticipated that some months will pass before the pool is in a financial position to make payments to producers. The benflts of the pool will ap- ply equally to American financed British pix as well as native pro- duction. Assessment of share from the kitty will be on net boxoffice earnings and not on original pro- duction costs. Because the British Film Pro- ducers Assn, is acting as the ma- jor voice for the studios in the ne- gotiations with other trade organ- izations, many indie producers are seeking BFPA membership. Six joined last week and a number of other applications are being con- sidered. More Top British Films Made in 1949-’50 Season London, Aug. 1. The ironical fact that the 1949- 50 season, which marked the pe- riod of peak studio depression in Britain, resulted in a substantial increase in the number * of top feature films, is revealed in the annual report of the British Film Producers Assn. In the 1949-50 period, there were 81 first features and 50 in the supporting class. Comparative figures for the two previous years are"71 “A” films and 49 “B” pic- tures for 1948-49 and 57. “A” pix and 113 of “B” classification for 1947-48. Record Number of Yanks Visit Mexico in 3-Mos. Mexico City, Aug. 1. New high record in the number of U. S. visitors in any three-month period in , Mexico’s tourist trade history was set this May-July with the checking in of 117,657 Ameri- can trippers, according to the. gov- ernment’s national tourist commis- sion. Record is the better, this group contends, because 65% of these Americans visited here and else- where deep in Mexico, instead of dallying at the border, Dollar Shortages Still Prevent Many U,S. Acts Top British Dramatists To Do Originals for TV London, Aug, 1. A number of top-ranking drama- tists are to write original plays for TV. The British video service is planning a drama festival in 1951 to coincide with the Festival of Britain and already James Bridie, J. B. Priestley and Terence Ratti- gan have agreed to contribute orig- inal 5f*ri ntQ Val Gielgud, head of TV drama, has, in addition, invited a number of other wellknown writers to do plays specially for the medium. Among those who’ve accepted are, Clemence Dane, Mabel Constan- j duros, Tyrone Guthrie and L, du j Garde Peach. 1 Melbourne, Aug. 2, Dollar shortages are still hold- ing the damper on importation of American acts, according to David N. Martin* managing director of the Tivoli circuit. At present his loop only has Yank • dancer Gil Johnson, appearing in Sydney and the novelty turn of Wally Boag in Melbourne. No Americans are listed in the chain’s “Ice Follie” at Adelaide. However, skating, soubrette Cissy Trenholm is scheduled lo plane from New York Aug. 22 to open in the show at His Majesty’s theatre, Perth, Sept. 4. Ice revue, with a cast of 40 international bladesters, has been doing capacity business. Meanwhile, the Tivoli organiza- tion is mopping up at the boxoffice with a flock of activities. In Syd- ney, it is starring British comedian Arthur Askey in a comedy musical, “The Love Racket.” Show already has played a record 19 weeks at the Melbourne Tivoli theatre, and Martin is hoping that the Sydney stand will prove equally success- ful. Locally, the Tivoli theatre is snaring top grosses with a variety- revue. Although Aussie custom calls for seats to be booked six days in advance, every seat is im- mediately snapped up. Indications point to a run well into October which may welT eclipse the record held by Askey’s “Love Racket.” 9 Itala Films Vie For U.S. Market Rome, Aug. 1. A realization of the dollars to be gained by good pictures in the American market has spurred Ital- ian filmmakers to hike their budg- ets, ink international stars, spend more time on story preparation and conform to some extent to the rules of U. S. censorship. Best exemplifying these policies are some nine films, ■ all of which are considered top contenders for Yank playing time. Among the group are Roberto Rossellini’s “San Francesco, Gitri-^ lare Dio” (“St. Francis, Buffoon of God”), Vittoria De Sica's “Un ML- racolo a Milano” (“A Miracle in Milan”). “Prima Comunione” (“First Communion”), a Universa- lia Franco-London production with Aldo Fabrizi and Gaby Morlay, and “E PiU Facile che Un Cammello” (“It’s Easier for a Camel”), di- rected by Luigi Zampa. Others include “II Ladro di Ven- ezia” (“Thief of Venice”), a Maria j Montez starrer; “Eagle and the Shadow,” starring Richard Greene and Valentina Cortese; “L’Edera” (“The Ivy”), with Columba Domin- guez; as well as two Lux film en- tries, “Eroi e Briganti” (“Heroes | and Brigands”) and “Romanza d’A- more” (“Romance of Love”). Lat -1 ter stars Danielle Darrieux and Rossan Brazzi. ‘Harvey,’ Heiress’ Top London Legits In Profit; British Plays Also Score -4- By HARRY REGENSBERG Current London Sliows (Figures show weeks of run ) London, Aug. 8. “Ace of Clubs,” Cambridge (5). “Beau Strategem,” Lyric (67). “Brigadoon” Majesty’s (67). “Carousel,” Drury Lane (9). “Castle in Air,” Savoy (35). “Cocktail Party,” New (14). “Dish Ran Away,” Whitehall (6). “Don’t Lose Y’r Head,” Sav’le (1). “Eliz. Slept Here,” Strand (41). “Fallen Angels,” Ambass. (35). “Folies Bergere,” Hipp. (44). “Golden City r ” Adelphi (8). “Heiress,” Haymarket (80). “His Excellency,” Princess (11). “Holly and Ivy,” Duchess (13). “Home at Seven,” Wyndham (22). “IcC-Capades,” Empress (11). “King Rhapsody,” Palace (46). .“Knights Madness,” Vic. Pal. (21). “Latin Quarter,” Casino (21). “Mister Roberts,” Coliseum (3). “Oklahoma,” Stoll (166). “Ring Round Moon,” Globe (28). “Seagulls Sorrento,” Apollo (8). “Streetcar,” Aldwych (44). - “Touch & Go,” Wales (12). “Traveller’s Joy,” Crit’rion (113). “Worm’s View,” Comedy (172). CLOSED LAST WEEK “Venus Observed,” St. Jas. (28). Rank Eyes Govt Coin for Prod. London, Aug. 8. J. Arthur Rank, although origi- nally disinterested in aid from the government’s Film Finance Corp., is now said to be mulling a realign- ment of his organization’s corpo- rate structure in Order to qualify for a production loan. When the FFC was set up in March, 1949, its rules decreed that only independ- ent producers would be eligible for monetary assistance. Out of its initial treasury of £5,000,000 ($14,000,000), FFC loaned Sir Alexander Korda’s Brit- ish Lion Film Corp. £2,750,000 during the film bank's first 12 months of operations. In that pe- riod some 21 pictures were released as a result of state aid. Last June Parliament authorized the bank’s kitty to be upped by another £1,- 000,000 after it used up its original fund.. Williamson Eyes 2 London Hits for Aussie “Worm’s Eye View,” current London comedy success by R. F. Delderfield or “Late Edwina Black,” a last season London click by William Dinner and William Morum, will be the next straight play to be taken to Australia by J. C. Williamson Theatres. Which- ever of the two shows is selected will probably follow “Harvey,” which closes its Down Under run this fall. Meanwhile, Williamson is readying an Aussie tour of “Briga- doon,” to open shortly after Christmas. Dorothy Stewart, New York rep- resentative of Williamson, is ar- ranging details. New British Film Unit London, Aug. 1. A new film producing unit headed by the Earl of Southesk and his 20-year-old son, Lord Car- negie, is planning a program of two moderate budget productions a year. First subject which will start lehsing shortly, will star Anouk and Anne Vernon. Terence Fisher will direct with Harry Reynolds as j producer. Other Foreign News On Page 17 Berlin Propaganda Pic Designed to Up U.S. Trade Berlin, Aug." 1, Designed to promote trade with the U. S., a 30-minute propaganda pic has been turned out at the UFA studios here under the sponsorship of the city Of Berlin. Film is sched- uled to be screened at the Interna- tional Industries Fair in Chicago early this month. Documentary is tagged “What Do You Know About Berlin?” and was made-by Mars Film Produc- tions. Variety's loc^l correspond- ent, Bill Conlan, handles the nar- ration, assisted by Sgt. John Mey- ers and Ruth Redd of the Ameri- can Little Theatre in Berlin. ’Orpheus’ to Venice Festival Po|*jq Aiirt Q With the Venice Film Festival due to get underway late this month, France will be represented | at the meet by Discina’s “Or- i pheus.” | The film was written and di- j rected by Jean Cocteau. Jean 1 Marais, Maria Dea and Maria, Casares head the cast. 1 London, Aug. I. American shows in England are not the only moneymakers in the West End. Plenty of English shows have yielded good profits to their promoters, particularly H. M. Tennent, the biggest show pro- ducers here- “Harvey,” presented in London by George and Alfred Black, in association with Tennent, which opened at the Prince Of Wales Jan. 5, 1949, and ran'there till March 13, ’50, is reported to have cleared a profit of well over $90,- 000. Its lean time, was when it transferred to the Piccadilly the- atre with Leslie Henson starred. It is now touring to moderate suc- cess. Another American show that has proved a gold mine to the Tennent outfit is “The Heiress.” This has been running at the Haymarket for ovCt a year, having opened Feb. 1, 1949. Although it has a change of cast (originally Ralph Richard- son and Peggy Ashcroft, and now Godfrey Tearle and Wendy Hiller), it. is understood to have netted around $56,000. But as it is under a non-profit distribution basis, the money gained will have to be put into the kitty for further produc- tions. “Treasure Hunt,” which debuted at the Apollo, for Tennents, has also done exceptionally well, and by the time it closed at the St. Martin’s theatre, where it was transferred June 12, it had cleared a clear $30,000, which also goes into the, box for future shows. Show could have stayed on, instead of closing July 22,. but for fact that the leads, Sybil Thorndike and Lewis Casson, are due to ap- pear in a play at the Edinburgh Festival in August. “The Way Things Go,” which opened at the Phoenix March 7 and folded July 15, proved pretty good going for Stephen Mitchell, and has brought total profit of at least $30,000. This includes the $10,000 paid by the Shuberts and Max Gordon for American rights. This does not include the film rights, which are still available. Oliver’s Click “Venus Observed,” presented by Laurence Olivier with himself as star, at the St. James’, has made money for the English actor-man- ager. Firstly, it has paid its pro- duction cost, around $16,000, plus at least another $10,000. Show folds soon but could have stayed longer if it had not been for the star’s Hollywood commitments, Londoners apparently have a yen for Restoration plays, as indi- cated by the gravy obtained by Tennents from “The Beaux Strata- gem” at the Lyric. Play originally opened at the Phoenix and was voted a modest hit. That was in May 5, 1949. The following month it was switched to the Lyric and after being given publicity by the leads, John Clements and Kay Hammond on the air, it has proved a real moneymaker. In its 55-week run, it has banked a clear $70,000, which being on the no-profit shar- ing system, will have to be salted away for further show ventures. It’s still staying till the end of September when it will be replaced by “The Little Hut.” Reanco, who present plays at the Westminster, have not been so fortunate with their latest “Back- ground,” as they were with “Black Chiffon.” The latter made at least $50,000, which includes sale of play to John Wildberg for Broadway, and is still making money on tour. But “Background,” which opened./ May 17, is skedded soon to fold now being around $6,000 in the red. This does not include the money salvaged by the sale of the Ameri- can rights to Lee Shubert. Another unfortunate has been Stanley French with his “Mr. Gillie” at the Garrick. Opened March 9, it. drew some money for the first few weeks. Then it en- countered bad biz, with entire loss reputed to be about $8,400, after closing July 15. Gluskin on Vienna Vacation Vienna, Aug. 1. Lud Gluskin, CBS West Coast music chief, visited here while on a brief continental vacation. He conferred with Red-White-Red net- work program chief, Stuart Green and Hans Hagen, rietwork conduc- tor. Gluskin plans a leisurely trip through Austria and Germany,