Variety (December 1950)

IXTERBrATlONAI. PSntlt^ iVARIiTY'r LONDON OFFICI i tn Martinet Fl«c«« Trafaliar Square London, Dec. 12. Biggest bid for patronage in re-1 n I cent years will be made during the l,0l yrCStCr UOlOIl Yuletide vacation when a dozen top ' Christmas stage shows Vvill con> pete with six of the year’s biggest films, Investment in theatrical pro- ductions is on a more ambitious scale than previous year. In the West End alone there \yill be three new piahtomimes. Two pantos on , ice will play in the massive arenas term is undisclosed, at Earle Court and Wembley- Com. i that the life peting circuses will, be Bertram IMills’ at Olympia and Tom Arnold’s at Harringay. In addition, at least six perennial favorites will be re- turning to the West End for the holiday season. Sydney, Dec. 12. Columbia Pictures and Greater Union theatres have sighed the longest term product franchise in Aussie film history. Although the it is believed of the pact covers a period of 15 to 20 years. Deal was negotiated by GU head Norman B. Rydge and Nick Pery, Australasia managing director for Columbia, with an okay from Col cin lnter*»tiiig: •ditbriol feature In the upcoming 45 th Amiiversaty IS umber of Berlin, Dec. 5. The Communist-run E a s t Ger- man Republic is planning to est.ab- lish a State Film Office patterned! proportions Vienna, Dec. 5. The American Information Serv- ices branch here began a play- producing program of its: own this month “to acquaint the Viennese with American . dramatists.” The ifirst production, Eugene O’Neiil’s “Beyond the Horizon,” was rated by one of crix as “a flop of such that not even the dle- fOreigri chief JOseph McConville. The thrce new West End pantos GU and Col formerly had a 10-year are “Babes in the Wood,” at tlic Palladium, with Adele Dixon in the lead; “Mother GOose” at the Princes and Emile Littler’s “Goody Two Shoes,’" starring Arhur Askey, at the Casino. The ice pantos are “Babes in the Wood on Ice,” star* ring Belita, at the Empress Hall, and “Dick Whittington On Ice” at the Empire Pool. Advance book* ings for the last two hamed. prov ductibns already exceed $500,000. Apart from the circuses, the other •Christmas bills include “Charlcv’.s Aunt,” presented by Emile Littler at the Saville, with Leslie Phillips in the lead; “Peter Pan ’ at the Scala, again starring Margaret Lockwood; “Beauty and Beast” at the Westminster, “Where the Rainbow Ends” at the Stoll, and “Black Arrow” and “Treasure Island” as matinee shows for the Old Vic and the St. James’s. The new major fiilms will be pact. ! after Nazi’s defunct Reich Chamber ‘of Film, according to reports reach- ing Allied sources here. This of- fice would probably be headed by ' Soviet directof Slatan Dudow; It i will closely collaborate with Spvex- . port, Soviet distribution agency, I and DEFA, the East Zone film i monopoly. 1 Starting next Jan. ■import 79 ' 5 ^early from Paris^Dec. 12. Robert Cravenne, director of the I semi-official Uni-France Film or- ganized to push exploitation and I exportation of Gallic pix abroad, has revealed progress on recent i negotiations. Italy and France have set up complete reciprocity policies in the exchange of films ■ and established several outfits for coprOduction. Among the recent coproduction pictures made with mixed Franco-Italian . artists are . ‘‘Fabiola,” “Sa Majeste Monsieur Disney’s “Cinderella,” which opens Dupont,” “Walls of Malapaga,” “Le at the Prince of Wales Monday (18V; “King Solomon’s Mines.” which started an extended run at the Empire yesterday (II);. “Samv son & Delilah,” which opens day- date at Carlton and Plaza next Tuesday <191; All About Eve,” which opened at the GaumOnt last Thursday (7) and “Harvey,” which bows in at the Leicester Square Odeon Dec. 20. The only major British, entry: for the Christmas derby is J. Arthur Rank'.s only directly sponsored, pro- duction. “Highly Dangerous,” staiv ring Margaret Lockwood and Dane Clark, Actor Krauss Play After Rifts; Court Backs Producer Harlan Berlin, Dec. 12. Werner Krauss, who did two characters in the film, “Jew Suess,” made during the Hitler regime, was the target of anti-Nazi demon- stration here at the preem of Hen- rik Ibsen’s “John Gabriel Bork- man.” because of his record. It was his first postwar appearance. Re.sentment of the mob was con- centrated on Krauss despite the popularity of his co-players, Kaelhe Dorsch and Helen Thimig, widow of Max Reinhardt. Krauss was re- moved froni the cast after days of disturbances, following meetings between city officials and Jewish civic leaders. An attempt to boycott all pix directed by Veit Harlan ran Cluiteaii de Verre” and “La Por- teuse de Pain.” ' Russia negotiation$ are proceed- ing with Sovexporftfilm, backed by the .syndicate of French di.stribs and producers. An exchange agree- looks hopeful also, being based on reciprocity. The Russos are inter- ested in taking eight films, but the French are holding out for 12 pix. England and France have a mixed Franco-British commission which examines the pic exchange each year, and makes suggestions. There are two distribs set up for French pix in England, one under : Alexander Korda and the other ( under J. Arthur Rank. There are I seven art houses in London, and others opening in Manchester and Birmingham. The recent Tokyo, I>ec, 1; Metro has opened an office here afncl is laying the groundwork for its reentry next summer as an in- I dependent 'film dLstributor in ■ Japan. Ed^va^d F. O’Connor, , Metro’s Far Eastern rep, heads the j new setup and will u.se Tokyo ' henceforth as headquarters for Far. Eastern sales. ’ Metro product currently is being released here through the Motion , Picture Export Assn, .under an agreement which ends next June 30. As far as Metro is concerned, • pact will not be renewed. Studio ' alreadj’’ has a SCAP import licen.se I Metro move, not altogetber un- expected, likely will be followed by other majoi* cli.sh'ibs in the . MPEA pool which has been the sole distributing agency in Japan for U.S. piX since 1946. United Arti.sts ; also obtained an* import license ; from Occupation headejuarters sev- eral months ago. . 1, DEFA will to 80 feature fi Ims Russia and her satel- lites, and that prewar German pix Will be withdrawn from distribu- tion. experiments in dubbing carefully cho.son French pix is catching on. In the Near East, French pix are entering the EgypHan market, and there will be a ca'mpaign to push the films further. On the Ameri- can front, Uni-France feels it will take time before French films, can get out of the special house cate- gory. Paris, Dec: 5. Two important cases are in the French Courts, here, one about the musical rights in a picture and the other a libel action over a publica- tion. David Rousset, author of a translation of the Soviet Punishing Labor Code, sued for libel when the red weekly Lettres Francaises printed that he had not given the right transiation and had th’eated part of what he wrote. In the other case, Victor Sardou heirs are suing Mosco Exclsa Pro- ductions of Italy. The producer made a picture with the Italian underground as a theme, and un- derground members sing some pi • • i . tunes from “Tosca’’ in one scene. l/llHnS[6S in yUOtn Act i producer bought the musical ^ rights for these from publishers London, Dec. 12. 1 picordi. The Sardou heirs claim the musical was based on the Sar- dou legit drama, and that they should have been asked for u.se of the material besides Ricordi. They want $2,000 for infringement of rights.. A similar Sardou claim, was lost by heirs when they claimed that “Butterfly” was also an infringe- ment when partly used. Brit. Board of Trade Asks Soggestions For hards dared to give it the cus- tomary operiingmight applau.se.’* The cri|ics wrote appreciatively of . O’Neill, but warned thd public it could get no idea of his works from ; iSB’s inept staging. . One critic said: “The tragic atmosphere of this play cannot be created by shrieks and hectic movements re- sembling convulsive palpitations.” \y.eekend performances are given by Viennese actors under the di- rection of an Austrian-born Ameri- can employee of ISB whose only theatrical experience has been in a dramatic workshop of a small N. Y. school and with United Na- tions festivals. Production expenses are paid out of Congfessional-ap- • propriated funds for the American I information prograni abroad. I It is hot very clear why I SB ha s i begun such a costly prograni at American taxpayer’s expense, The i Viennese apparently do not feel they heed any closer acquaintance with American dramatists than they have had in Vienna’s profes^ ■ Sional thec'itres since the war. lie- . cause of the dearth pf native post- war playwrights, the Viennese pro-, ducers have . been staging every- 1 thing they can get their hands on from London, Paris and New Yoi k. I More than 60 of the better mod- : ern Ameiican plays have been pro- iduced, and one can see almost all , of the latest Broadway hits such as “Member of the Wedding,” “Death of a Salesman,” “Cocktail Party” and “Streetcar Named Desire” without leaving O’Neill has been both before and his major works, “Mourning conies Electra” and “Strange tcrlucie.” Vienna. Eugene represented here after the war by Be- In- The Board of Trade has taken an unprecedented step and invited ; the industry to make suggestions : for amendments to the existing ' Quota Act,. which went into fdree \ in 1948 and is due to run for 10 j years. Although the BOX. re-* , frained from suggesting, that * English ■ amending legislation may follow, Denmark Pix Theatres; State MEXICO CENSORS IN CLEAN FILMS DRIVE Mexico City, Dec. 12. Pic censoring again has been several tightened up again here. Jesus Castillo Lopez, chief of the na- tional cinematographic board, an- nounced the driye. The board cited the Mexican film, “The Softie,” pro- duced by the Cinematografica In- into a .stone wall when, the Ham- ternational, and ordered sharp cuts, burg county court warned.the Ham- It was given a “C” rating, suitable burg Press Board chief, Ernst 'for adults pnly, and banned, front Lueth, that any possible campaign export. . Many squawks from the by Hamburg newspapers to call or public about the lack of elemental incite a public boycott against the , decency And good taste in many it is regarded as significant in the in'du.stry. that this is the first time a request of this nalure has been made before the expiration- of the act. A formal reque.st for observations was. sent out a few days ago to every trade organization. The BOT letter a.sks various In- du.stry. groups for its views on the working of the 1948 Quota Act and invites propo.sed amendments which would be considered if an opportunity arises to introduce an amending bill: It is understood that the procedure to be followed will be that in the first instance the observations of the industry as.sociations will be considered by the Films Council, which is slated to meet in January. A report will .subsequently be made to BOT prexy Harold Wilson, . Copenhagen, Nov. 28. * Native product dominates the Danish cinemas this season more than ever before. The slate aid to the producers, giving them 2c. on each ticket sold plus the u.sual 30^r in film rent, of course, has stimulated the Danish film produc- tion. Most of the new Danish pix are of the semi-documentary variety. “Smedestrade 4” depicts police methods m solving a murder. “Cafe Paradis” (Asa) rated an art- istic success, tells about alcoholics of filming possibilities on in the upper and lower classes, the embattled peninsula. They with Ib Schonberg, the rotund act- are Theodore Tetzlaf, director, and ' or, as star. “I Gabestokken” reveals DIRECTOR IN TOKYO ON RKO KOREA PIC ' Tbkj'o, Dec. 5. Director and production man- ager for a forthcoming RKO pic- ture on Korean war arrived in Tokyo this week and were skedded to fly to Korea for a firsthand ap- praisal of filming possibilities Harlan pic, “The ImmortaT Mistress,” would constitute a. vio^ latiort of Article 2 of the German Fundamental Law (The German Bill of Rights). Harlan had been cited for Nazi tieups. Domnick Films, which is releas- ing the film received full support from the court, which .stated that any such boycott was a violation of the law guaranteeing every citi- zen work and would be subject to fine. Producers in Hassle Over Eady Fund Coin Lowell Farrell. Idea for the film ■ ' was first suggested by the Army brass in Washington and was ac- cepted immediately by Howard i Hughes. !. Army’s interest is lo sliow, Amcr- I lean public through a dramatic 1 film story the terrific odds Which : i U' S. forces faced in Roroa and the London, Dec: 12. pjx brought the crackdown. : Lopez said “Softie” also was ah affront to the country’s illiteracy. Also ruled that the film depicts Mexico as a land, where looting j ment on the division and exploiting of foreign tourists ; coming to the British is a matter of course; Pic was barred from export because the board considers it a Very bad ad- vertisement for Mexico the many problems facing tubercu- losis . pal ients, and their return lo normal life. Biggest hit at the wickets is “The story of Hjiortholni,” film version of a Danish bestseller of half a century ago. Preben Philipsen’s first Dani.sh film, “The Needle,” about Danish dope addicts, i.s set reasons for the stategic witlidrawal. Tor February preem. to the Pusan bridgehead until an ' Danish pix arc crowding the cin- adequate United Nations army eina playing time, especially in the could be assembled for an pffen-. provihees—so hard that American sive. Scenario has been written pictures find.. it tougher getting A conflict of opinion between the i by Milton Krinis and pic is tenta- ay Pic From Airer Montevideo, Dec. 5. A.socine plans to produce a new pie to be called '"Mystery of the Burnt Mill,” being broadca-st by G. X. 44 Emisoras Norton, as “Crime Arrives at Night.” Thi.s film W'ill be done- as a cooperative effort, receiving pay according to the success the pic may have. Since the Burnt Mill is of na- tional historic interest, it is pos- sible that the National Tourist Comniittce will offer its support. Lack of Top Brit. Pix May Ciie Fewer Pestival Entries London, Dec. 12. Because there is likely to be a shortage of suitable top ranking product, British producers will only participate in two Continental film festivals next year. The two to be • Short Film Producers, who claim supported are those at Cannes in ’ would yield only a fraction of What they’* think they are entitled to: ■. ■ ' producers of first and second fea- ture films and makers of docu-. mentaries has delayed an agree- of the spoils ; fil' industry : from the Eady fund.' set up in the 1 recent admission tax readjustmentv! The ineasure of agreement al- j ready obtained applies to the I method of calculating the share to; i be paid for first and second fea-! tiires. This will be based on the di.stributprs* gross receipts each British- made pic over year. A proposal by British ducers that documentaries shorts should work on a similar basis was flatly^ nixed by the A.s.sn. for the prp- and are those at and Venice in August-Sep- tember. The mea.sure of participation in ilicse two festivals will also be oil a limited .scale and with only first-, class pix which will reflect credit on the entire industry. I lively budgeted at .$2,00()T)00. Tetzlaf and Farrell are here to determine if facilities are avail- able for making the production in Korea. They also conferred short- ly after their arrival \vith Army officers in Geii. Douglas Mac- Arthur’s headquarters to fiscertaiii whether Chinese intervention in. North. Korea will force abandon- ment of the whole project. Tetzlaf said no decision Aya.s reached, and the studio will have to wait fur- ther developments. play-dates. Among the U. S. hits have been “State Secret,” “A Walk in the Sun” and "No Sad Songs.” The Xmas season wiU probably be dominated by svich Hollywood product as “Cinderella” at the Met- ropol, “IHll and Cbo’* at Scala-Bio and “Annie Get Your Gun” at the Palad.steatret. " . Monterde Heads Mcx. Academy Me . FranGi.sco Monterde is the hew prexy of the Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences which does the annual O.scaring down here. London, Dec. 5/ Tom Arnold’s annual Harringay circus, staged and directed by ; Clem But.son, opening Dec. 21, has I a cast of 300 In addition to 150 I animals. Acts signed for the sliovy ■include Leon de Rousseau, who i does a back soihersault from a 50- foot tower; Bert Holt, juggling aeriali.st. Poly Orea’s Dog ReVue, , George Wong Troupe Family and of the Ar- comedy Other Foreig’n News On Page 24 ’ Other new officers arc Miguel-thur Klein Angel Fefriz; veepce; Hector Fer- • cyclists, nandez, (reasurer; Enrique Rosado, ' The pj'oduction it is claimed, secretary and Marco Aurelio Gal- represents an investment of uh* 1 indo, corro.sponding secretary, ( wards of $500,000.