Variety (December 1950)

Record Details:

Something wrong or inaccurate about this page? Let us Know!

Thanks for helping us continually improve the quality of the Lantern search engine for all of our users! We have millions of scanned pages, so user reports are incredibly helpful for us to identify places where we can improve and update the metadata.

Please describe the issue below, and click "Submit" to send your comments to our team! If you'd prefer, you can also send us an email to mhdl@commarts.wisc.edu with your comments.




We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.

Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.

^ ^'VARIHTY^g* LONDON OFFIC8 t It. Martin's Placf« Trafalgar Square l^TERIVATIONiUL 17 I % E]diibs Worried Over Possible Big Dive Because of U. S. Pix Ban Buenos Aires, Nov. 28. Alarm is tieginning to spread among exhibitors here because film grosses have been dropping sharply in the last few months. Decline amounts to over 30% of what is normal takings at this time of the year when grosses hit skids, somewhat as the spring weather offers outdoors competition. But some exhibitors fear the public is beginning to lose the habit of pix- theatre attendance because of the extremely old fare being dished out. Long-fought for permits to renew imports of tJ. S. films still are being stalled. At the insistence of the exhibi- tors. the Entertainment Board has relaxed somewhat and gave the green light to a couple of Italian pix, which they had been holding back to fill in gaps in case negotia- tions with the “Norte-Americanos" end in another stalemate. At present, U. S., distributors are waiting for Senor Raul A. Apold, the presidential press under-Secretary to call them to- gether for a last look at the pact for renewal of imports. And also* the long hoped for signing with the treasury minister Dr. Ramon A. Cereijo. In the meanwhile distribs are reissuing all their oldest material, with such museum pieces as “Love Me Tonight" at the Broadway, and “Two-Faced Woman" at the Ideal. United Artists this week released another of the pictures imported the latter part of this year under an ^dividual capital inve.stment deal with the Argentine govern- ment. This is “Deadly Is the Female." which went into the Opera Screen when the Katherine Dunham Dancers closed there after a record three weeks. Another UA film, “Champagne for Caesar," ran five weeks at the Metropolitan while “The Crooked Way" is in its third at the Nor- mandie. Next week, this theatre will show reissues of local pro- ductions of fairly recent vintage, “Dios se lo Pague" and “Alma- fuerte." In view of the product shortage the Entertainment Board has even relaxed its curtailment of British releases. Eagle Lion will be putting out “Full Circle" shortly. How the North American films gross in comparison to local prod- uct, is shown by the fact that “Champagne for Caesar" at the Metropolitan, did $30,000 In three weeks while “Marihuana," one of the top Argentine pictures this year required seven weeks to do as much biz at the Monumental, which has the same capacity. • In some name theatres, the same pictures have been reissued sev- eral times, but none has achieved the record of “Gone With the Wind," which has already done 10 weeks at the Radar despite the fact that last year it ran for sev- eral months at that same house. Unless the deal with the U. S. distribs materializes in the next two or three weeks, the out- look is extremely grim for Argen- tine exhibitors. ‘DON JUAN' IN 6 MADRID VERSIONS; FLYNN'S TOPS Madrid, Nov. 28. The^legendary “Don Juan" has taken Madrid by storm with four legit and two film productions, based on the character, currently being shown in the city. Of the six versions, Warner's filmization of “Don Juan," with Errol Flynn Is the only one doing sock business. The other film, a Cifesa production, directed by Saenz de Heredia and starring Antonio Vilar and Anna- bella, in its fifth week at the Ave- nlda Cinema, has drawn a mixed reception. The quartet of legiters includes a Salvador Dali version at the State-subsidized Maria Guerrero theatre. Alejandro Ulloa is starred in a “Don Juan" production at the Calderon, Jose Seoane and Rosita Yarza are co-starred in a version at the Fuencarai, while Guillermo Marin and Maria Jesus Valdes are co-starred in Luca de Tena’s “Don Juan Tenorio" at the Teatro Espanhol, subsidized by the munici- pality of Madrid, ^Cinderella' in London, Dec. 18. Londi^, Dec. 5. The Prince of Wales theatre, which is currently housing the Broadway revue, “Touch & Go," is reverting to films. On Dec. 18, it opens with Dis- ney’s “Cinderella" which has been booked for a season. ‘Aunt' One of 2 Littleir Pantoiminies TIis Year London, Dec. 5. Emile Littler’s two London pan- tomimes are to open on consecutive nights. The first, “Goody Two Shoes" bows in at the Casino on Dec. 20, while on the next night, “Charley’s Aunt" opens at the Sa- yille. Arthur Askey plays the Dame in “Shoes," others in this produc- tion being Charley Cairoli, The Cairoli Brothers and Leon Cortez. The Saville show, which is in a.s- sociation with the Brandon-Thomas Co., has Leslie Phillips in the lead with Anne Brooke, Frederick Mo- rant and Howard Lamb. This will be the 34th London season of “Charley’s Aunt," which was origi- nally produced at the Royalty in 1892. Littler's ‘Boy' Preeius Solid in London; Levy's ‘Tyassi' Rated Unlikely London, Dec. 1. Emile Littler presented “Blue For a Boy," billed as a “Musical Romp" at His Majesty’s, Nov. 30, after a provincial tour. It is adapted from the old farce, “It's a Boy," by Austin Melford, and has kept much of its prewar flavor. Fred Emney and Richard Hearne handle the two roles created by Leslie Henson and Sydney How- ard, and are the mainstays of the production. Music by Harry Parr Davies is pleasing, but uninspired. Success of this apparently will de- pend mainly on the chief person- altities. Premiere had warm reception, and show should make good holi- day attraction fare for patrons of the older tradition comedy. Benn W. Levy’s first new play in five years, “Return to Tya.ssi," re- lies almost entirely on fine writ- ing and impeccable acting. It opened at Duke of York’s Nov, 29, and the slenderness of plot and minimum action, gave it only a mild reception. This, coupled with a lukewarm press, indicates this Sherek Players production has lim- ited chances. The cast, headed by Alexander Knox, Helen Haye and Constance Cummings, interprets the roles with genuine sensitivity. Aus^e Coin for BriL Pix Sydney, Nov. 28, Looks certain that Anthony Kim- mins, British producer-director, re- turning shortly to this zone, will seek Aussie capital to boost the British coin total for his pic, “Smi- ley," due to go before the cameras at Pagewood early next year. Ealing will use local money also for “Robbery Under Arms," top production set on the 1951 schedule at Pagewood. “Robbery" will be Ealing’s fourth Aussie-ma^e pic. Current London Shows (Figures show weeks of run) London, Dec. 5. “Accolade/' Aldwych (13). “Ace of Clubs," Cambridge (26). “Blue For Boy," His Maje.sty’s (1). “Capt, Carvallo," Garrick (17). “Carousel," Drury Lane (26). “Cocktail Party," New (31). “Dear Miss Phoebe," Phoenix (8). “Dish Ran Away," Vaude (23). “Follies Bergcre," Hipp. (61). “Fourposter," Ambassador’s (8). “His Excellency," Piccadilly (28). “Holly and Ivy," Duche.ss (30). “Home & Beauty," St. Mart (10). “Home at Seven," Wyndh’m (39). “King Rhapsody," Palace (63). “Knight's Madn’ss," Vic. Pal. (38). “Latin Quarter," Casino (38). “Little Hut," Lyric (15). “Mister Roberts," Coliiseum (20). “Party Manners," Princes (5). • “Reluctant Heroes," W’teh’ll (12). “Return to Tyassi," York’s (1). “Ring Round Moon," Gl’be (36). “Seagulls Sorrento," Apollo (25), “2d Tanqueray," Haymark’t (14). “Take It From Us," Adelphi (5). “TO Dorothy." Savoy (2). “Top of Ladder," St. Jas. (8). “Touch & Go." Wales (28). “Who Is Sylvia," Criterion (6). “Will Any Gent." Strand (13), ^'Worm’s View/' Comedy (189). Austria Cabaret, Vaude Artists Ask More Work Vienna, Nov. 21. With about 1,400 of its 1,800 members unemployed, veepee K. Fabiankovltch, of the Artists Union here, has urged drastic step.s to combat amateurism. He claim.s that 370 foreign performers are at pres- ent appearing in Austrian cabarets, variety .shows and the circus, bttt added that considerably more Au.s- trians found jobs in other coun- tries. The Artists Union in the future will demand qualification tests on a rigorous basis before a player is given a job. Banking Group Into Scalera $ New Prod. Setup Rome, Dec. 5. The Scalera Film .Studios of Rome, not the largest here but for years an important factor In the Italian picture Industry, has a new corporate setup. Formerly, the company as producers and dis- tributors were completely con- trolled by the Scalera family, but the need for actual cash as work- ing capital recently pointed up the necessity of outside angels. New alignment consists of two groups: the Scaleras and the other consisting of the Lombardo Bank of Milan plus an unnamed Swiss bank and the Bank of Milan. Each group has two men on the direc- torate, and each side has two men to represent them in company deals. The banking interest have named .S. Bodini and S. Verdozzi, while Scalera ha^ Bullio and Panserani. This means that outside inter- e.sts will finance Scalera pic pro- duction for the next three years. Actual amount involved was not disclosed but it is flexible with' no limits set, depending upon cur- rency fluctuations, number of films to be produced and returns from completed pix. At the end of three years a new arrangement will be worked out, naturally based upon the amounts of expenditures and receipts during the first period. Banks Still in Dark on Pix Although Italian banlcs have played an important part in the financing of local product, they .still don’t appear to realize what the stumbling blocks are in the actual pix production. And banks, at present, are reluctant to sink large amounts of coin into one pic- ture at a time, figuring it too much Of a gamble. The new .Scalera set- up will put In operation a new method of having money in sev- eral films at one time, With a dull December season coming on, there are negotiations now in progress for prospective productions under the new setup. David O. Selznick has plans afoot for making "Julius Caesar," if he does not relinquish the Roman drama to Metro. Orson Welles has one picture in mind to make at this studio and Leonide Moguy plans another. txranada Uses Yank News; Nixes Anglo Pacts London, Nov. 28. Having fought and wqn a te.st ca.se to decide the legality of their action in cancelling their newsreel contracts, the Granada group is now using the American Telenews, embellished with Briti.sli items contributed by the British Broad- ca.sting Corp,-TV new.sreel. The new composite reel is being .shown in some of the theatres controlled by the group and, it “is reported, will also be going into a chain of news theatres. « The New.sreel Assn, thinks this move will help them in their cur- rent agitation for increased rent- als. It will be good for exhibitors to learn how expensive it is to op- erate an up-to-date newsreel, they say. Sam Marks in London on 'Dust* London, Dec, 5. Sam Marks planed to Paris after 10 days in London looking at studio facilities, but will not decide whether a "Handful of Du.st" will be made in London or Hollywood until he returns to the U, S. Marks hafs already signed Ray Milland for the starring role and will huddle with him on his return. Pr^Xmas, F(^ Blamed for London Biz Dip But Kiss’ Socko $13,000; . ‘ISen’ Tall 7G, ‘2 Weeks’ Lasts One London, Nov. 27. ‘Clockimerle' Rated As Decadent by Russ Crix , M 0 .SCOW, Nov. 28. 1 At long la.st the French, though they are still under an obsolete capitalistic regime, have sent what the Soviets call a wonderful film. It is playing to full houses in the best Mo.scow theatres. From the novel by Gabriel ChevalUdr, which was also used for a musical, ".Scandals of Cloche- merle" in a vivid true-to-life de- scription of a bourgeois state and its officials, as viewed here. The hypocrisy, corruption and lies prevailing in bourgeois parties, whatever their -label, are beauti- fully shown. So say the Russ crix. The story is that of the intrigues caused in a French village over chosing a suitable location for one of the rest station.?, Despite New Interest In Britisb ?ix, 8$^ Aussie ' Playdates to Yank Pix De,spite the fact that bigger Brit- ish pictures are attracting more attention at Au.stralian theatres to- day, American films still take up 85% of Aussie screen playing time, according to Roy Barmby, head booker for Greater Union Thea- tres, one of the big chains there. Barml).v and Ted Lane, GU pub- licity director, are In N. Y. cur- rently on a tour of the U. S., .study- ing theatre conditions and Ameri- can pix showmanship. They have been in this country since Oct. 21, and have visited .San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston (where they at- tended the Theatre Owners of America convention), K. C. and Chicago, Overseating of .smaller communi- ties or cities, unlike the condition in the U. ,S. resulting recently from an influx of drive-ln.s, is not pos- sible in Australia because the gov- ernment does not allow it, Barmby pointed out. Government, via its Licensing Commission, never per- mits an overheated condition to de- velop through building of too many new theatte,?. An overseated situ- ation may arise in some * places (none was recalled) because of bad biz conditions. Barmby cited the in- stance of a city of 5,000, where one 1,200 seat theatre was protected by the commission in rejecting any re- quests to con-struct a new hoase. Both Barmby and Lane were en- thusiastic about the new American product they looked over in Hol- ly wood,'T)u Ik of which will be re- lea.sed in 1951. They said this new screen fare, coupled with alert showmanship, should spell a big film theatre year In *51. Lane discu.s.sed the coming 50th anni of Australia as a common- wealth next year and sugge.sted that American companies permit their film stars and executives, who originally came from Australia, to go back during the year. He felt that visits by such players as Errol Flynn, Cyril Richards. Judith An- derson and director John Farrow would prove goodwill builders., Barmby and Lane are guests of Capt. Harold Auten, U. S. rep for Greater Union, while in .the east. After visiting 'Toronto, they return tqiN. Y. before starting home. Nor- naan B. Rydge, GU chairman, visit- ed the U. S. early thii fall. Ckenal to Do 2d Pic in Arg. Bueno.s Alre.s, Nov. 28. With the English version of "Na- tive .Son," made by Argentine Sono Film under Pierre ChenaTs direc- tion, already on its way to the U.S. for exhibition, the French director has planed back to France with the intent of signing some French tal- ent for his next film to be made in an Argentine studio. Imported performers will be u.sdd for a French-language version of the new pic, which will be titled "Crime on Credit." It is 'a who- dunit written by Chenal. Albert Clo.sas, .Spanish legit-film actor, al- ready has been signed for the lead. The pre-Christiuas slump at film theatres has started ahead of .schedule this year, and a generally lean week was not helped by a weekend of heavy fog. Of the six new entries in the West End last week, two did well, two failed tol stay the course and were yanked while two other did average biz. The two new hits are "The Men" at London Pavilion and "Kiss To-^ morrow Goodbye" at the Warner/ The former landed a resoundina $7,000 opening stanza, and tha Cagney starrer finished its firsts round with a sock $13,000, Tha disappointments are "The Naked) Heart" at the Carlton, which was? pulled after five days and "Twoi Weeks With Love" at the Empire! which was yanked after mildl $11,000 on initial week. The other two new films^ "Crisis," took a fair $5,800 ii^ Gaumont first week and the Britisht "The Clouded Yellow," at thei Odeon, Marble Arch, v/hich wa.sk fairly good at $7,300. "Mr. Music'* i.s still going strong at Plaza withi .strong $9,000 for third round. 1 Estimates for This Week Carlton (Par) (1,128; 65-$L60)—t ‘'Naked Heart" (BL). British pro-» duction roundly panned by crix and suffered worst weekend in town* with le.ss than $1,000. Pulled afted 5 days, and two rei.s-sues. "Monkey Business" and "It’.s. a Gift" substi-* tuted. Empire (M-C) (3,099; 50-$1.60J) —"Two Weeks With Love" (M-G)» and stage-show. For -first tim^ since introduction of vaudfilnt here pic had to be yanked after one) week Mild $11,000. “To Please) Lady"' (M-G) now in for fortnighU Gaumont (CMA) (1,500; 45-$1.60) —"Crisis" (M-G). Despite good! press reaction, mild $5,800 in first week looms. "All About Eve’/ (20th) follows. Leicester Square Theatre (CMA^ (1,753; 45-$1.60)—"For Heaven’g Sake" (20th) (2d v4c). Closed with mild $4,500, but stays another with "Highly Dangerous" (GFD) slated to follow. London Pavilion (UA) (1,217; 45-» $1.60)—"The Men" (UA). Crix gave) this high praise. Powerful $7,000. Stays on at least 2 more weeks. Odeon, Leicester Square (CMA) (2,200; 45-$l.60)—"Mudlark" (20th)* Royal Command pic took dive in third week to $6,500, way behind other two rounds. Stays at least one more. ? Odeon, Marble Arch (CMA) (2,200; 45-$1.60)—"Clouded Yelr low" (GFD). British thriller lookii fair $7,300. Continues anothei? fortnight.- Plaza (Par) (1,902; 65-$1.60)— "Mr. Music" (Par) (3d wk). Hold-f ing .strongly at $9,600. In for anr other week, with "Tripoli" Par]) and "Friend Irma Goes West" (Par) due Dec. 1. { Rialto (LFP) (592; 45-$1.25)^ "City. Lights" (UA) (reissue) (5th wk). Still drawing big crowds at $5,800. Expected to run into 1951. Warner (WB) (1,735; 45-$1.60)— "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" (WB), Crix no like thi.s new Cagney starrer, but public responded to give house its best session ii^ months; great $13,000. Stays on indef. ; ASSOC PICTURES NET , EARNINGS $223,000 London, Dec. 5. As.sociated Talking Pictures, the company which controls Ealing Studios, reported a net profit of $223,000 for the past year as against a loss of $168,000 in the prev ous 12 months. As a result of the improved year’s earnings, the accumulated lo.ss of the group has been reduced to $462,000. $25,000 Mex. City Cinema Fire Mexico City, Nov. 28. Fire attributed to unlawful smok- ing during a show destroyed the Cine Modelo, local second-run cin- ema, with a $25,000 loss. Two fire- men were .slightly injured. Cool- ness of cops regularly .stationed in- side the house averted a panic. The theatre was cecetitly bought by Miguel Arenas, a pic actor. I I I t-. n .] t 1 I i •i (■ 1 > I