Variety (December 1950)

2:^ * < 'VAItilirVfiMONDON OFFICI I Ih Martinet Plact^ Trafaltar Muara VY/ By GEORG^: F. GAAL Bonn, Dec. 12. Representatives of Avestern Ger- many's two most powerful political parties, the Social Democrats (SPD) and the , Christian Demo- crats fCbij), launched an all-out concentrated attack in the federal! parliament last. week against the i Allied High Commission’s plans to j decartclize the UFA combine, Nazi ] Germany’s state-controlled motion j picture monopoly. A government spokesman also told Parliament that tlie government’s views on the breakup plans are not very much dilTerent. The attack emerged during an assembly debate on the UFA liqui- dation, decreed as Allied High Gommission Law No. 32 last sum- mer. It w«is launched by CDU- Hoyts'1483,000 Profit Sydney, Dec. 12. Under Ernest Turnbull, Hoyts* loop turned in a net profit of $483,- 000 to June this year. Dividends of were okayed for “A” stockhoiders and 2% for “B’’ • stockholders. Net profit shows -a decline of about $6,000 from comparable pe- riod of last year. ^Dancing Murder* Berlin, Dec. 12, Sovietriicensed newspapers in Berlin ihade a big propa- ganda item out of last week’s performance by Ainerica’s Bal- let Theatre here of Agnes de Milie’s -Fall River Legend,” based: bn the famed axe-mur- ders. Reds called it “dancing murder.” Ballqt went over big here. Lowendahl, Back in U. S., Maps Special On Italo-Made 1 More Govt. Help Goldwyn-Skouras Continued from page 3 London, Dec. 19. The big brass of the British Cabinet, headed by Clement R. At- tlee, Prime Minister; Ernest Bevin, foreign Secretary; and Hugh Gait- skell, Chancellor of the Exchequer, r ! joined with show biz toppers in I celebrating the diamond jubilee I of the National A.ss'n. of Theatrical Final editing and sound re-; . . 1 , recording on the film version of i ? ® ® ® ^ ^ deputy Richard Muckermann, \vlio Gian-Carlo Menotti’s musical play, ' ^ ^ * introduced, an interpolaHon on be- “xhe Medium,” will likely be com- , pleted within three or four weeks, Rightist Free Democratic (FDP)i , according to producer AValter Low- Although it was the biggest ar- ray of political talent ever seen at a trade functioni the occasion was German iDP) and Bavarian (BP) cndlhi; whoVSy retwmrd from ! T^ Arthn, parties, attacking the AUies^ for Italy, where the picture was made, i auctioning nine grade B films, with Menotti directing, the film ' without Gcrmaii participation. It ^^as partly tensed in Rome’s Sea- i in re,^ demanded a government statement, igi-g studios and around the Italian ! mfi"iL“nd on Whether tne Allies had taken ponital miscent and nostalgic vein, leCall- po.sition concerning Bonn’s coun-; -• * , ., ^ a ^ j- * incidents in the 60 years of tcr-law on the UFA liquidation as 'Lowendahl has not set a distribu- | TATKE. well as whether action has been Lon deal yet, prefening to Avait , The tenof of the speeches was taken to hinder losses inflicted ontil final prints are ready. How- sparked by Tom O’Brien, M.P., upon the Federal Republic by such il^V^^iLcated in N. Y.^ last the union’s general secretary, who auctions. He further termed the pic will very likely in proposing the toast of the Prime pix auction a “perfect flop” and o® a special basis to arty Minister, explained how glad he sa^d that onlv two were sold at the houses somewhat similar to the ■ was that Attlee had no daughter minimum Wd oC procedure on '•Red Shoes" : who was aspiring to be a great ($1,190), Whereas the. auction cost ■ several members . singer. Attlee, in his response, 60,000 marks ($11,900). . origmal Broadway produc-, avoided trade affairs, apart from a Uon. ! comment that he had never been While the budget for “The Me- able to understand the complicated , ^ J .4- dium” was only $140,000, Lowen- organization of the film industry. ! Karl Brunner, an SPD deputy ^ better film could 1 Richard F. Walsh, International 1 whose party program ^calls for been achieved even with Alliance of Theatrical and Stage ] nationalization ^of the big indus- expenditure of more coin. The • Eniployees prexy, who had travel- tnes, attacked the Allied Lquida- Italian atmosphere, he said, blend-' led 3,000 miles to participate in tion plan, which he said would not ^d perfectly with the tone of the the celebrations, welcomed the in- hinder industrial concentration, venture and the whole project was ’ itiative of the Prime Minister on ' rapped up In nine weeks. ' tiis recent Washington visit. He Production of the film “Medium,” , the outcome Would be ’ a bond between the American and The Real Attack Starts leal attack started when tion hearing was adjourned to Jaii. 4, to be resumed here. Questioning of John Bertero, FWC exec, and attorney, covered a three-day period, during which tiriie the FWC executive was grilled bn the business routine of more than 100 theatre properties, during which Alioto endeavored to establish that the Interests of Charles P. Skouras are interwoven with all phases of the film busi** ness. This Bertero vigorously de- nied. At one tense point in the querying Bertero, on advice of his attorney, Arthur B. Dunne, rei- (iused to answer a question regard- ing possible Skouras interest in a candy and confectionery supply houSe selling to the circuit. Later the: objection was withdrawn and Bertero answered negatively, Bertero was also clpsely ques- tioned by Alioto as to whether there had ever been any arrange- ment to split product in the ac^ quiring of theatres by FWG. This Bertero denied, stating unequivo- cally that there were no such ar- rahgemeiits. Following Bertero’s questioning, Goldwyn counsel examined chief filni buyer Ed Zabel, concentrating on film buying practices of FWC. Deposition hearings of Bertero and Zabel were postponed until Jan. 30, when they will be resumed in Los Angeles. A full array of high-powered legal counsel was on hand for the Skouras - Bertero - Zabel question marathon. They included Alioto, Samuel Goldwyn; Fred Pride, 20th - Fox* Arthur B. Dunne* FWC-Skouras, 20th-Fox and Na- tional Theatres; Charles Carr and Theodore Roche, Naify interests, and Ed Keil, Skouras and FWC. James A. Mulvey, Goldwyn prexy, sat through the hearings as an observer. He returned to N. Y., but will be back for the Jan. 30 hearing. in consent decrees* but have not Imposed any such restriction on Hughes. While the stock is in the hands of trustee, Hughes will have no control over it but will profit from, any dividends it earns. Dietrich and Slack both insisted prior to returning to the Coast From New York Saturday (16) that the Brandt deal fell through be* cause Hughes had “never received an acceptable Offer from him.” It is understood that Brandt had $1,000,000 in cash available against the $6,500,000 that would be re- quired for purchase at $7 per share. He, wanted to pay the rest over a two-year period. Hughes is under- stood to have wanted a greater amount in cash. B.o. decline in the past eight Weeks or so reportedly dampened Brandt’s enthusiasm for the deal* It is understood he refiLsed to make compromises in the negotiations with Dietrich last week that he had considered earlier. ,. Theatre TV Continued from page 3 He said it would promote a “front i system, not making; it impossible that another UFA-type concern . ...... should emerge this time not led i^^-’identally, was financed by a lim-, i Y ( Altt-l^d) n^rtn^rchirt TTn.i.... H,! ’ Britisli people as great as that (Erich) Pommer an American ciuzen ana rormer xcap ^^,0. o Rripn with n trnifi Military Government film officer, Among the latter are Moss I card of lATSE rn accord with was, Xiepuently^ attacked lor al- ’ t£e%edsion of tL OeveS to^ legedly trying to secure the UFA j producer Joseph Hyman. combine for U. S. interests, even^^ —— though Law No. 32 provisions Austrian Pic for $163,000 heavily restiuct foreign biiyings of Washington, Dec. 19. auctioned UFA assets). Hughes* Stock Continued from page 3 vention in 1948. The present critical state of Brit- ish production was underlined by Rank in supporting the toast of NATKE. As a result, the union Brunner further charged that dugg ^ fulUengto^feature filnf ini"®* ® goal of UFA had already been smashed in i today, According to official j continuity of employment, and the 1940 since 70% ^of its properties sources there. This is considered 1 . *’®®” " “I'l fr 'enough to turn out a deluxe produc-ill‘‘’?Governrncnt had not created the Allied plan is aimed at elimi -:.f 12 non fn 1*1000 fppf- x. hiip I the National Film Financ Corp. Bating competition of German pic i “oneyeiTort can be made fo^ The Treasury, as a sleeping partner production and accused them of qqq in the industry, collected $100,000,- •■flooding”, the German market; production'costs of a maior fea-i 2®® fliey could help with foreign films. ture include 41% for studio faelli- I ®®®‘‘ Dr. Rudolf Vogel, CDU, deputy i ties and sets, 30% for salaries, i ‘j? nSn non oorl' and chairman of the Parliament’s j io.7ro for outdoor sifeneq 30,1 Fund from $4,000,000 to $8,000,000. committee for press, film and ra*; 6.6% for r aw stock ®and "primfng. i ® *™®“ P“‘ “""^s dio, said the problem has nothing Rpmaining 11 .i.<j for mnvriffhtc . ^i-Sht, bUt to do With security. Today the! question is whether —r five years after the capitulation—it is still possible to squander German prop* ; erty without the participatioh of' the Germans.” Vogel, an arch-enemy of any-^ thing that is foreign — primarily American r— regarding films, fur- ther blasted the Allies and said “the Allied la^W about the UFA decarteUzation is ‘an act of mis- trurt.’ ” He said that despite the faei; that there are giant theatre chains in both the U. S. and Fng- land, “this “law of atomization’ exr pects the German government and the Parliament to participate in a violatioii of the constitution by ex- cl n di ng certain persons „from the ri"ht to bid for auctioned UFA property. The que.stion is,” he added, “how ready the Allied High Cqmriiission is to come to an agree- ment with the Germans about the combine. It is intolerable that property of the Federal Republic is being squandered.”, The stormy Parliament session and Mhe violent attacks on the liquidation plan came only a week aficr. it was revealed that former top UFA executives are planning to establish before the year’s end a ^ similar combine in the state North ^ Rhine-Westphalia, financed by the Estate and prominent industry cir- ■ cles. scenarios, insurance laneous expense. Rciiiaining 11.7% is for copyrights. 2'®® V'® inri ! ^”^Listry to put its housc 111 ordcF while it was being throttled. The 90rminute cabaret which fol- , lowed included top Anglo-American talent. The U. S. contingent com- prised Dolores Gray, FOiir Step Brothers, Vic Hyde and Bill John- son, with Bonar Colleano as emcee. Nat Karson, Who produced the show,; delayed his departure to N. Y. in order to lend his services. Current London Shows (Figures show xoeeks of run) London, Dec. 19. “Accolade,” Aldwych (15). “Ace of Clubs,” Cambridge (28). “Blue For Boy,” His Majesty's <3), “Capt. Carvallp,’^ Garrick <19). “Carousel,” Drury Lane < 28). “Cocktail Party,” New <33) “Dear Miss Phoebe,” Ph’nix (10). “Dish Ran Away,” Vaude < 251. “Follies Bergcre,” Hipp. (63). “His Excellency,” Piccadilly <30). “Holly and Ivy,” .Duchess <32). “Home & Beauty,” St. Mart < 12). “Home at Seven,” Wyndh’m <41). “King Rhapsody,'* Palace <65». “Knight’s Madn'ss, Vic! Pal. (40). “Lace on Petticoat,” Ambass. (1). “Latin Quarter,” (!^asino <40). “Little Hut,” Lyric <17). “Mister Roberts,” Coliseum (22). “Reluctant Heroes,” W’teh’ll (14». “Return to Tyassi,” York’s (3). “Ring Round Moon,” Gl’be (38). “Seagulls Sorrento,” Apollo (27). ^*2d Tanqueray,** Haymark’t (16) “Take ft From Us,” Adelphi (7). “jo Dorothy,** SaVoy (4). “Top of Ladder,** St. Jas. (10). “Who Is Sylvia,** Criterion (8). “Will Any Gent,” Strand <15). “W’^orm’s View,’* Comedy (l9l). CLOSED LAST WEEK “ Touch and Go/* Wales (29). BOX Qu6$tiQns Exhibs on London, Dec. 12. A new exhibitor quiz is being conducted by the Board of Trade, the third in a series designed to provide official statistics to the in-^ diistry. It will cover the Oct. 1- * Nov, 30 period. : The probe will be more extensive than previous ones. Apart from ket questions about details of admis- sions, grosses, tax payments, film hire and employment, it will seek detailed info oh the number of times the first feature film was shown in each theatre of the coun- try in the week starting Dec. 3. Also the number of hours each theatre was open to the public. In addition, the BOT will ask exhibs to reveal the amount paid in salaries to their staffs during the period. pointed agent to handle transfer of the present combined picture- theatre shares into separate shares of the two companies. Stockhold- ers will be instructed to fill out a transmittal form, enclose, their present stock certificate. and send it to the bank by registered mail. Issuance of the new certificates —one in each of the new com- pcanies for each one of the old shares-r-will start by about Jan. 3. All holders who mail or present their certificates at the bank will have their new stock within little more than a week of the divorce- ment date. Hughes is required to turn over his new theatre shares to a court- appointed trustee within 10 days after receiving them. Thus control should bejn the hands of the tnjs- tee by a^ut Jan, 15. Hughes holds 928,000 shares of stock, and the Wall street grpup which has, formed an alliance, claims to represent more than that number. Possibility continues to exist, therefore, that a proxy fight may develop next year, although it pretty much hinges on Hughes’ management policies and the voice he gives other stockholders. The nine months of effort by Sam Dembow, Jr.; to bring Brandt and Hughes together on a deal by which Brandt’s Traris-Lux Cqi’P* Would acquire Hughes’ theatre stock came to an official demise last Friday (15). After a last-minute effort to come to terms, Brandt and Noah Dietrich, Hughes’ principal lieutenant, who was in New York, issued the following statement: “Howard Hughes and Harry Brandt announced jointly today that they are unable to agree upon terms and have terminateid nego- tiations for the purchase of Hughes’ RKO Theatres stock by Brandt and Trans-Liix.” Dembow : was understood, 'this week to be moving in other direc- tions in a last-gasp effort to locate another buyer, but It appeared a near-impossible effort. As far as is known, there are no other potential buyers for the shares, everyone now waiting to sec what the trustee does. Important question was whether the court would permit the trustee to operate for an indefinite length of time or would force sale of the theatre sl^pres. Tom Slack, Hughes’ attorney, pointed out to Variety last week that in other cases the court$ have stipulated time limits from the video network pool. Saine print \vas transported immediately to the Brooklyn house, where it was thrown on the screen within 45 minutes after it had wound at the Broadway theatre. Pub relatio'ps aspect was pointed up by theatre TV consultant Nathan L. Halpern, who declared that interest Of theatre customers in tlie large-screen transmission “demonstrates very clearly that theatre TV has a vital role to play in informing the public in the na®^ tional mobilization effort.” One exhibitor reported having received a number of telephone calls from patrons early Friday evening, in- quiring whether the speech would be carried. They intimated tfiat if it was not, they would remain at home near their radio or TV re^- ceivers. That indicates also, ac« Gording to Halpern, that the pub» Uc is gradually being eduoafed to I what theatre TV is. Most of the exhibs declared they could not evaluate the b:o. value of the event, but unanimously termed it a “plus.” One manager of a downtown New York theatre, however, declared specifically that carrying the speech added at least $350 to his bpxoffice for the night. Reception quality was uniformly good, with one exhib claiming it equalled his regular 35m film qual- ity. This was attributed to the fact that the President spoke from a studio, where the lighting could be controlled. Event was canied by the two Par houses; the Fabian Fox, Brook- lyn, and Palace, Albany; the Cen- tury Marine, Brooklyn, and Queens, Long Island; the RKO Fordham, Bronx; the Detroit, in that city, and the Tivoli, Chicago. M>G Exec Meet Continued from page 3 I ■ j be consulted by phone. Then Schary and Schenck will go to Flor- ida next week to continue the con- fabbing with Rodgers. Reason for exhibs’ demand for more product is the dip in the na- tional boxoffice suffered during the last few months. With business off, pictures are totaling less playing time, and as a result more features are needed to fill the void. If M-G decides to boost its total, the com- pany will produce all of them at its home studio. Metro no longer has any distrib deals with indie pro- ducers. Schai’y is being accompanied to N. Y. aiid Florida by his wife and children, along with Walter Reilly, his chief assisUnt. Goetz, after sitting in on the N. Y. talks to dis-: cuss the situation at Metro’s British studios, will head for the Coast for huddles with studio toppers and visit his son, Hayes, a producer at M-G. He’ll also talk with producer Richard Thorpe on the projected filmizatidn of Sir Walter Scott’s “Ivanhoe,” which is slated to roll in England early next spring. Paris, Dec. 19. Parisian showbiz is in a terrific pre-holiday slump. No improve- ment is anticipated for Christmas, as reservations are meagre for both niterics and theatres. Money is particularly scarce this year, and many that generally hit cafes now .seem to prefer outings. International situation has many worried. Money has tightened up because of curtailed bank credits.