Variety (November 1950)

• St.^M«rfln*s Pl«6t« Trafalgar Squart P^lltfY ■INTERNATIONAL 15 Paris, Qct. 31. > The International Theatre Insti- tute (ITI) has set up housekeeping under the auspices of UNESCO here. The ITI, with a current membership of 23 nations, has a center in each of its member coun- tries supported by the individual government. The ITI acts as the theatre center for UNESCO, and their ^publications get worldwide distribution Via UNESCO Channels; The aim of the group is to act as. clearing house for the international exchange of ideas, talent and ma- terials. It will have a yearly con- clave, with Oslo, Norway, as the first chosen site next year. The ITI has an executive com- mittee, editorial committee presid- ed over by Rosamond Gilder of the U. S;, and theatre architectural committee headed by Kenneth Hae of Great Britain; Work of the com- mittees includes setting up an in- ternational clearing house through which royalties could be paid for foreign copyrights; to study the locial, economic and political influ- ences which interfere with the per- formance of the artists, and meas- ures that can be taken to remove or lessen the hindrances; the issu- ing of an International identity card for theatrical people; award- ing of an annual prize through UNESCO for the best productions in the theatre; creating of interna- tional tours in which two countries will be selected each year and will exchange theatre companies to per- form national works in the country visited; and the setting up of In- ternational Drama Fests. Two of these in 1950 were successful. The first in Zurich consisted of “Romeo and Juliet" and “Donne Diana," given by Swiss companies, and “Hamlet," as well as “She Stoops to Conquer," given by the Old Vic. The second fest, at Florence, Italy, presented “Announcement to Marry" and “Le Maitre de Santi- ago." The Old Vic staged “Twelfth Night," with the Italians contrib- uting works by Pirandello, Goldoni and Alfieri, played by the Com- pagnia Baseggio, the Piccolo Tea- tre di Roma and the Compagnia Ruggero Ruggeri. * \ The foremost project at present is the creation of the International Theatre in Paris, which will pTay host to visiting companies from member-nations. Metro, U, Columbia Set Strong Lineup of Fix Ealing (Aussie) Plans Full Program for ’51 Sydney, Oct. 24. Back from long production hud- dles with Sir Michael Balcon, Eric Williams, Ealing’s local topper, said the Pagewood studio would be kept busy all next year with about six pix already on the line- up. “Prelude," life story of Aussie pianist Eilee-n Joyce, toi be com- pleted next month after a few re- takes. ' The 20th-Fox production unit will do inter’ors on “Kangaroo" at Pagewood Ealing will then make “Robbery Under Arms,” a cops-and robbers yarn, with local capital. It will be followed with “Smiley," in conjunction with Sir Alexander Korda Anthony Kim- mins is directing Three other pix are also being lineup by Ealing with local capital to cover the bal- ance of 1951. Lisbon, Nov. 7. Plans for the new film season, in Portugal indicate that Metro will top other American outfits in the number of pix skedded to be shown in this country. Metro has 32 pix slated for Portuguese dis- tribution this season. They include “Barkleys of Broadway," “Annie Get Your Gun," being shown here as “The' Circus Queen;" “Little Women," “Duchess of Idaho" and “Madame Bovary " Metro, incidentally, will now showcase its filriis via two Lisbon houses. In the past, the company’s pix have been shown exclusively at the T.SOO-seat Sal Luiz, which is a two-a-day horse. Now the Metro films will also be. shown at the Sad George, which is a J. Arthur Bank house operating on a three- a-day basis.. This 2,Q00-seater will play Met ro product in addition to ail Bank films and other. English aiul foreign offerings. The 1,20'O^seat Tivoli opened its season with Warner’s “Girl From . Jones Beach” This house, together With -the 1;SOO-seat Politeama, will share the Warner product, which yin total about 18 pix. The Pp- liteama is ppehing its winter sea- spn with “White Heat." Other War- ner pix . to be shown incrude “Un- ci(‘r CapricoiY'," “The Inspector GorSural," “Montana," and . “Story of S'‘abiscuit " The 1,500-seat Eden operted its season with Universal’s “Francis." A total of 2? pix from that com- pany are slated for the house. Among them will be “Gal Who Took the Wes " ‘ Deported," “One Way stnY't.’’. “Merry Monahans’" «and “Bagdad " Columbia, through i^s-uisbon representative, Filmes C'l' '‘Ho Lopes, will present 25 fi'njs. • London, Nov. 7. Since Sept. 10 when collections from exhibitors for the British pro- duction pool began, money has been paid into the fund at a rate equivalent to just over 1,000.000 pounds ($2,800,000) annually. These returns fall below the estimate of 1,500,000 pounds for the full year. Payments from exhibs are based on a contribution of one-farthirig for each paid admission. (Eight farthings are equal to 3c.) So far the money has remained in the pool, and there have been no subsidy payments to British pro- ducers. This is diie to the fact that the production side of the industry lias yet to finalize a plan for the division of the spoils. Frequent meetings have been held between the British Film Producers Assn, and the Assn, of Specialized Film Producers, but agreement has yet to be reached. The board of dii^ctors . adminis- tering the fund decided at last Thursday’s (2) meeting to ask the income tax authorities to regard the exhibitors’ contribution as a legitimate trade expense, and ,to be exempt from taxation. According to the terms of the Finance Act under which the pro- duction pool was established, its life is limited to one year, but is subject to renewal. In an endeavor, therefore, to get trade unanimity on the next phase of the tax cam-: paign, th^ BFPA is arranging a meeting with exhibs next month. T2th Nisht’ to Launch Sues /Bolero’ Composer Paris, Get. 31. In .1941 Eudore Recurel wrote a waltz titled “Kiss Waltz" but it was no hit. It was played by M. Durand, A simflar work, titled /’Bolero," was composed by M. Durand in 1948, and plugged into a hit by crooner Reda Caire here. Claiming that out of the 30 bars of ngiusic in “Bolero," 22 are lifted from his “Kiss Wailtz" Recurel is suing DuVand for plagiarism. Of Film Biz London, Nov. 7, The Socialist government in » -n* T% I Britain is yielding to pressure of Robinson ric Personal | trade unions, partial natioiializa- Jackie in Puerto Rico For Diiliiois Lowloii Entrji; Hyittii’s Take h’OK London, Nov. 7. James Parish’s latest play, “Mrs. Inspector Jones,” after provincial tryout, made its West End debut at the Savoy, Nov. 2, Stanley French produced. 11 gives Jessie Royce Landis her second vehicle here, but much less scope than in her previous success, “Larger Than Life” She Nyas warmly welcomed as a detect!Ve!s wife unwittingly involved in a smuggling racket, but story lacks virility and proves only niild entertainment. Barry Jones gives a convincing performance as the sleuth and gets comrtiendable support. PVess generally lukewarm^ and prolonged run seems doubtful. “Take It From Us," new Jack Hylton-George & Alfred Black re- vue which opened at the Adelphia last Tuesday (31), brings together three of Britain’s top radio artists —Jimmy Edwards, Joy Nichols and Dick Bentley, on the stage for sec- ond time. A modest production, not by any means as elaborate and well conceived as its predecessor, its chances are good, in view of the starsV vast following. Also because the shovr should do. particularly well during the approaching holi- day season. Val Gielgud’s “Party Manners," which caused heated controversy on its recent telecast, went into the Princes, Oct. 31, presented by Peter Dearing and Anthony Haw- trey, for a six weeks’ run. It is a Satirical political comedy and was tried out at the Embassy in Jan- uary, and broadcast twice. On its recent TV showing objections were raised on the grounds it slandered the Labor government, and its re-^ peat performanee was banned, re- sulting in parliamentry discussion. Raymond Lovell repeats his in- imitable characterization of a dis- possessed peer acting as chef-butler in his former mansion; Michael Hordern gives an excellent per- formance as the cabinet minister with conflicting loyalties, and Jill Esmond again scores as his wife. Audience included government and British Broadcasting Corp. officials, but expected demonstration failed to materialize. Play had an en- thusiastic reception. ^ San Juan, Nov. 7. Jackie Robinson’s personal here last night (Mon.) at preem of his “Jackie Robinson Story" at the Par- amiount was one of, the rare times that an actual baseball player has appeared hereabouts to plug his own starring diamond vehicle. Film about the Brooklyn Dodger star got a big sendoff at the Par, which is the ace hpuse of the Cobian' circuit in PuertC) RicOf tion of .the film industry has been agreed on at the highest level, and only the final details remain to be worked out. The governmeht plah, as at present defined, provides fpr direct participation in the Indu^ try, thereby putting films in the sanae category as coal, steel and transport.' The first stage in the govern- ment’s film program will be the Caribe-Hilton. Robinson and his wife go to ; setting up of a state distribution Ciudad . Trujillo in the :Dominican ' organization, if possible, before the Republic latei this week on a ya-; end of the year. This will be fol- stopped here at the | iQ^^ed by the take-over next year of at least two shuttered studies. All this, apparently, is being done without prior consultatiort Witft industry leaders. The news will come as a bombshell to the British industry, which had begun to hope that government meddling in their affairs had ended with the failure of previous measures. To expedite the setting tip of ha^ tionalized distribution, the govern- ment is proposing that it should operate under the aegis of the National Film Finance Corp., Dublin, Nov. 7. Interest of the Irish government in the film industry is increasing, following^ the comment by Irish, hi ,, presumably, will provide Minister for External Affairs Sean , funds for its operation. It is McBride that .government may; now known that Harold Wil.son, take the initiative and give full backing to setting up of a produc- tion unit in Ireland. Current be- lief here is that government may back production of two-reelers at first, .setting a small quota to in- sure their showing in all Ireland’s 350 cinemas. Government already Board of Trade prexy, who is the architect of these schemes, has reached the; stage where he is con- sidering a short list of candidates to be the distribution topper. Top secrecy is being maintained about the appointment, and the only thing that has leaked so far is that . . f of Labor party, in eres Commons May Be By-Passed Reconstructed Old Vic London, Nov, 7. Opening date of the reconstruct- ed Old Vic has been definitely set for Tuesday, Nov. 14, when Hugh Hunt will direct “Twelfth Night.” Program for the first six months includes ‘‘Bartholomew Fair," “Henry; V," “Elcctra“ and “The Wedding," with “Captain Brass- bound’s Conversion" in a double 'bilk'^ . As a Christmas show there will, be a daily matinee performance, comrh.encing Dec; 26\ of Robert Louis StevensoTi's “The Black Ar- row," by the Young Vic. Co. At the conclusion of the season in May all the plays will be brought into repertory and the season ex- tended as a special attraction for the Festival of Britain. COMMIE CHINA TO BAN H’WOOMYPE PRODUCT Washington, Nov. 7. ' Hollywood-produced films will be banned from Communist China, according to a recent regulation promulgated by the ministry of cultural affairs in Peiping. Regu- lation calls for ‘■stimulating the development of China’s picture iii- dustry and turning film into a pow- erful medium for educating masses of people,” The order said that “progressive pictures from abroad will find a warm Welcome in China, but a ban /will be placed..on cheap, sensational ' productions of the HoHyWood- ; type."' ha.s taken interest In production, frovemment did not intend to u® u fInstitute,; iTgajjg g pgrty iob for "one of the which has produced a few shorts, unlikely that the se- but so far the program is spasmo- candidate will be a member die. McBride is showing through his Cultural Affairs com- mittee, but the organization has ' The cabinet is anxious to avoid no representative of the film in- burdening the House of (^ommons dustry. The sole rep connected with too much controversial legis;- with industry on the cohamittee ' Nation. The situation is, therefore, is film censor Richard Hayes. ' being examined by parliamentry Irish exhibs are a bit leery, but experts to see whr;ther the. take- would be interested in well-made ' over of studios, which will be Irish bix. The fear is that control; either by outright purchase or by might be centered with longhairs ^ requisition, can be done under an with resultant product scaring off e-xlsting act of Parinment. If this proves impossible; the BOT will introduced a short bill, probably limited to a single clause, in the hope that such a measure cpii/d Obtain a .speedy pissage and wouldn’t be .subjected to the long proce.ss of amendments in both houses. . Of the two stuclips to be taken over, one will almost certainlv ,be the 'British National lot at El.stree, which has been, shuttered off and on for the last’ two or three years. the customers. Italy in Distrib Pact With Spain; Will Show 20 Italo Films There Wiesbaden, Germany, Nov. 7f Voluntary censorship hoard of the West German film industry last week baiTed exhibitibn of RKO’s i5-year-old film, “The Informer." Starririg Victor McLaglen, the pic- ture revolves around the Irish re- bellion against Britain. Amplifying its action, the board said that release of “The Informer" “might disturb German relations with one of the Western occupying powers." Triese^Greerie’ Pic Goes Into Production Shortly Oct. 31, “Life of Friese-Greene," British film industry’s cooperative filhi about the inventor of cinematogra- phy, is scheduled to go before the Technicolor cameras around the end of 195(). Picture will be the industry’s principal contribution to next year’s Festival of Britain. Eric Ambler is writing the screenplay based upon the book by Ray Allister, . ‘‘Friese-Greene, Glose-up of the Inyentor." Rbhald Neame will produce, While John Boulting will direct. Robert Donat plays the title role. Services of the. cast and technicians, together With studio, facilities, will be han- dled bn a basis of cash and 50 % as a deforred interest in the pic. . Half of the profits are to be turned over to indu.stry charities, Rome, Oct. 31. The Spanish market, which was once a natural outlet of Italian pro- duction, has been closed to Italy The availabilitv of dark studios companies since the war, and only nresents no p’'oblcm in view of the a few pics were shown there, and limited British production cuiTertt- then they were distributed by a j iy itt pfo^ress. company of some other nationality. Swings to Labor Viewpoint To alter this situation, Eitel Mona- ; Bv this latest pel ion Wilson is I co^ head of Anica (National Italian revealing the extent id which he Cinema Assn.), ^ recently went to , Hag been influenced bv the labor Madrid, where he met with the gide of the indi’''i)*v. In ,the. boo.'n leaders of the Spanish film indU.s-, days of 1948 it was the stiuh'o I try and government officials re- unions, with the producers, who j garding the showing of more Ital-, clamored for a hivh quota. Months ian films in Spain, , later, when the rot began to set in, ! The basis if an agreement has he again aecepted a union proposal /beeri reached whereby Italy will to establish a film.s hank. And i send 20 films to Spain during thb now, finally, he aporirently is readv ; next sea.son, and that country will to adppt some of the proposals ! .sehd about six to italy. often put forward by lebor. and re- The hew agreernent is similar to iterated only a month ago in a those made recently by Italy with minbrity report bv the Assn, of I Germany and Austria, Other stip- AllierJ Technicians sec- l ulations discussed were the trading • George EJ vin; _ , Of stars and possible cpUgbpratioh / V/ilsbn .h''’.s an))^rontly balked at I on production, providing an agrre- the suggestion’t/ir't the state slron/d able monetary exchange can he into exh’hit'O’’ Probab’v. reached. he realises th''t tl‘'!s .would lead to ' . ■■ ;■ d- '• . v. •- th.o prolonged 00 ’’!rPv'M’.sial legis- lation which he and the gpve’’n- ment are anxiou.s to avoid. If the first measures df nation'dizat>nn .succeed,. he mav be encouraged to r'^ally needed is a . government/ chain of theatres; j Israel May Get Wagner Music I Tel-Aviv, Oct. 31. The Knesset (Israel Parliament). , ' may discuss the problem of wheth- stage further. If they shou d ■ er music by Wagner and Richard , he eventually m;vv cxp.ain it Strauss should be played by the ■ Ji'V'a.v by ins’s ’ng that what is Israel philharmonic Orche.stra, ■ This wa.s revealed by Dr. Serge ' Koussevitzky, who is here to ebn- ‘ duct the, Israel Philharmonic br- chestra. ■ Both Wagner and Straiuss wore “Destination Moon" wa.s launched known antisemites and their mu.sic here today (7) in six theatres, ; has not been allowed here so far, ^yhere pic is playing day-and-date • Koussevitzky, however, suggested on Its initial Cuban run. it be used, provided the people’s Pic is plaj mg the six - Havana ! forum will approve. . hou,ses of the Carrera circuit. * * ‘Mooh^ in S’v Havana Houses H 'vana, Nov. 7.