Variety (January 1951)

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, -vAP»iTy;r LOHDOKroPFict I tt. Mtrtiiyi PUU/ Tr«f«it«r SqM«r» 11 London, Jan., 23. 4 ^ — The first phase of the labor of: . _ p., fiM.sive to deal with_ the British j fi] HIS nroduction crisis having achieved t v m lltlle more than a few headlines in j the national press, the unions are ; expected to urge that CotTncil in j lei'vene at its meeting in London ; next Thursday (25). That is regarded as a last desperate move to obtain some action, and put the | ’50 Vienna, Jan. 9. Imports of American pictures exceeded those of all' other countries combined in 1950. While 202 films Came froni U. S., only 189 workers back to work before it is ' came from Englandv Germany, Rustoo late. j Sia and France combihed. Austria Recent intensified activity, howi hse^lf produced 18 pix, ‘Slow Wbitt.’ TUrd Hill’ Lead Bertn Isl Runs Berlin, Jan. 16. Biggest money-making, pictures i here during the past year were I “Third Man“ (SRO), “Dr. Praetof rious,” “Gabriela“ and “Nacht1 wache“ (all Ghermari-made),v and ! “Gonquest” (Par). . Strongest grossers at first-run theatres of Berlin included “Snow White” (RKO), “Der Reigen” (FreneW, “Bathing Beauty” (M-G), “Third Man” (SRO) and “Snake I Pit” (20th): , London’s Top New Film; ‘Samson’ l^ash 21(], 4th evcM*, has i'evealed that little is going >to be done by the governnieht other than introduce the group scheme for production reported in Variety last' November. This was the sum total of the government’s immediate policy as indicated by Harold Wilson, Board of Trade prexy, when he discussed the crisis with a deputation from the Assn, of Cine and Allied Technicians. Nor was there much hope held out for the revival of studio acti\ ily to the members of the National Assn, of Theatrical and Kine Employees who attended its mass meetings. Alongside the plea for another $56,000^000 in government money from Tom O’Brien, M. P., came the reminder from Film Finance Chief James Lawrie that it was not the function of his organization to provide the maximum amount of employment. On the contrary, it was his job to see that production was pn the soundest economical basis. The major accomplishment of last Sunday’s public conference addressed by Sir Laurence Olivier, v as to pass on to outside organizations and political parties the prob Check revealed that 78% of Austrians prefer comedies. War pictures and those connected anyway with the years 1939-45 (commonly described here as pictures of ruins) flopped. Attendance was off 15% from 1949. Distributors were unanimous at their recent general meeting that something must be done against dumping of product here. Mex kdors Uniop Head Sees Fix Biz Thriving; Rodrigudz Not So Sure Mexico City, Jan. 16. Two Mexican film toppers reported exact opposite opinions on the industry here recently. Jorge Negrete, actor-singer, speaking as prexy of the National Actors Unipn, declared after a talk with Presir dent Miguel Aleman that Mexican pictures are “consolidated industrially” and that thfe biz has come of age. He added that players who worked to turn out the new-high of 126 pix in 1950 had combined earnings of $2,080,000. London, Jan. 16, The main holdover bills from the Christmas holidays are still doing big biz although school vacations are over. “King Solomon’s Mines” with stageshow again set the pace at the Empire with socko $22,000 for a fifth week while “Samson and Delilah” is solid $21,000 in two houses in fourth round, and newsreels by 1955, the end of | _ “All About Eve” is doing moiintthe six-year plan, according to an i trade; fifth week going _ahead official announcement here, Syn i 9^ previous two sessions with sock Poland Plans Producing 14 Features by 195$ Warsaw, Jan. 16. Poland will produce 14 features, 10 cartoons and 240 documentaries chronization of foreign films is envisaged to be tripled by that date. Plan also calls for the construc $11,500. Prince of Wales “Cinderella” c o n t i h u e s great, fourth stanza being $1 1 ,000 or better. London Pavilion had its best opening tion of a studio for feature films | week in months with “So Young, to be built near here where a Film ; $o Bad,” fine .$7,500, City is being planned. It will have I Estimates for Last Week ! a capacity of 25 to 30 pix yearly. It also was announced that a Carlton (Par) ( 1 ,128; 65-$1.60)— Samson and Delilah” (Par) (4tli new Polish film, “First Start,” will ! wk). Still standout with long lines Frankfurt, Jan. 16. Films of seven major American companies grossed an estimated $28,000,000 in western Germany ' last year, according to calculations based oh returns in six key cities. The companies are Metro, 20thFox, Warners, RKO; Universal, Co.lumbia and Paramount. Net take was about $11,200,000. Estimates were based on grosses in Berlin, ! Duesseldprf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, = Hannover and Munich from Jan. 1 [to Oct. 31, 1950. be released shortly. It deals with life in a glider school. To by Frankfurt, Jan. 9. A film production financing company has been formed in the Ruhr state of North Rhine-Westf alia, and , western officials fear that it may Grosses of Republic, Monogram ' mean an attempt to revive Nazi and united Artists were not in Germany’s UFA filrn monopoly. ' 1 This speculation was further , j died by German distributors, which gtrengthened with the announce . also distribute German and foreign ^ ment that a former top UPA offi ' pix Grosses of seven majors were: 1 ' i). . J J Gen. Abelardo L. Rodriguez, ex lems confronting the industry, j president of Mexico, speaking as to appeal for their support in de . the Mexican Film Assn., mandmg governmental action. and the semi-official Credito Cine i matografico, asserted that the inFilms Council meeting, O Brien has j dustry is disorganized. Also that sent a memorandum to the chair ■: exhibition is hampered "by a trust at night. Sturdy $10,000 or over. Stays about six more weeks. Empire (M-G) (3,099; 50-$l;.60) — “Kihg Solomon’s Mines” (M-G) and stageshow (5th wk). Powerful $22,OOQv makihg bill biggest thing in town, Staj's two more, “Kim” (M-G) opening Jan. 29. Gaumont (CMA) (1,500; 45-$l. 60) —“All About Eve” (20th) (5th wk). Doing better than ever at socko $11,500 this round. Holds three more weeks or longer. Leicester Square Theatre (CMA) (1,753; 45-$1.50)— “Into the Blue” (BL) (3d wk). British-made pic only mild at about $5,000. “Battle of Powder River” (GFD) opens Jart. 18. London Pavilion (UA) (1,217; 45$1:60)— “So Young, So Bad” (UA). Best opening week at this house iii months, fine $7,500. Holds two more, weeks. Odeon, Leicester Square (CMA) (2,200; 45-$L60) — “Walk Softly, Stranger” (RKO) and “Secret man, Lord Drogheda, outlining a three-year plan for the industry. Apart from the demand for more government money and the restol iviion of the distributoFsVquota, he ; is .suggesting the compulsory ac i quisilion of at least one theatre 'in each town in Great Britain with 1 20 or more cinemas for the exclu ! Rive showing of British pix or for ioreign films lensed in Britain, which he did not name. However, Rodriguipz said he Is sure ^that the government Will straighten this ail out. ' \ tumiton Chief Cleared cial, Alfred Gi even, director of German film interests in France Metro, $6,268,952; 20th-Fox, $4, [ during the war, was made general 589,190; Warner, $4,574,619; RKO, ; ixianager. $3,235,666;. Universal, $3,210,571; j The company has a basic capitalColumbia, $3,140,952; Paramount, j ization of $476,000, and a further 1 Fury” (RKO) Robust at near $12,$2,915,095. Actual total for the i ^952,000 credit is envisaged from 1 000. Holds. seven was $27,935,047. Paramount, the North Rhine-Westphalia state.! Odeon, Marble Arch (CMA) (2,whicli generally runs in the top i At present the outfit will only ,200; 45-$1.60)— “Born to Be Bad” four major companies in the for finance production, but jt was . (UKO) and “Where Danger Lives'* eign market, finished so low be [ learned that the state is also inter [ ^HKO). Surprisingly strong. $10, cause product which it released did ; ested in setting up its own produc i ^00. Stays at least two more not catch on well in the German market. Tabulation also revealed that U.S. films took up 35.4% of total DressSf'"' (1,902; 65-$1.60) _ The InUlal funds were provided i ;|r"Zaf”™nnH ‘loot T. by iK I ^otind here looks big the North Rhine-WestphaUa ! oob or oVer playing time; Postwar German pix j Cooperative Bank (representing ' Lens Jan 19 ■ accounted for 26 5%. German pic [ trade union influence) atid a West I Prince of Wales (Moss Fmn) (1 tto. ».Ml ! pbaJI. b.nk, I JOO: "iSlX^ lXSSKcll MODUNROUIXJOININC MOmMARTRE UFREAT Buenos Aires, Jan. 16. First startling news this year , in Argentina’s film Industry was the ! release from jail of Dr. Nestor Mai ciel Crespo, Lumlton Studios ! prexy, who had been locked up ■around six months ago on charges ! of embezzling a large block of the ; studio stock. The courts have entirely cleared Crespo of these i'dramas being edged out slightly by comedy fare. Adventure pix were next in line! Paris, Jan. 16. Montmartre may get aV hypo V hen the old Moulin Rouge' is revi\ o(l as a dancehall. This will help i charges, with R rider that the case hand musicians, many of whom are [ has not affected his= good name or ( ui rently unemployed. Geo, owner ; honor. . of the Rapacho on Rue de Lappe, ■ At the sarrie time, two chief with as taken over the place and will r nesses for the proseqution were bring it back to its former dance ■ jailed for perjury. The charges had hall status. Since the old days it ; been brought on the accusation of lias been a dancehall, music hall | another stockholder, Miguel Guisaancl currently Is a picture house, j sola, who claimed that the stock India’s Pix Production ■' Soars ; 283 Films in ’50 Washington, Jan. 23. With considerable push from Western officials further noted I (4th wk). Great $11,000. Continues that the state expressly claimed indef. the company ha.S no collaboraliion Rialto (LFP) (592; 45-.$1.25) — with Tormer top UFA execs. The j “City Lights” (UA) (reissue) (12th reported behind-the-scene power wk). Stronger than recently with ful alliance of the .state, top industrialists and high Nazi film officials was regarded as a major threat to the recouping independent German film industry as well as an attempt Montmartre of late is waging a serious counter-offensive against the Champs ElyseOs district Which, spearheaded by Pierre Louis Guerin's Trido, has been steadily drawin cj the pick of the tourist trade. Besides Bal Tabarin, the Montmaitre district Is famous for the nudist shows around Place Pigalle (Mve. Nudists, etc.). The last oneex])onsively costumed strip production, “Nouvelle Eye” is Piin by Rene Bardy. These Rpots, besides, tlie check for wine, charge a $1.15 admission, which Is contrary to iisual nitery operation. purchased by Crespo had been for his (Guisasola’s) account. On the other hand, the defense claimed that Crespo had pledged his own credit With the banks to obtain funds and had commissioned GuisaSola to buy the stock for him. Dunham Troupe on Busy South American Trek Buenos Aires, Jan. 16. After a two-week run at the , Casino Auditorium in Mar del t> . . 1 A X i Plata, the Katherine Dunham Dan IJntlsh Film Festival , l eers nave left Argentine territory For English Pix Only /once more on their way to Lima, A Biitiah film festival is to be where they expect to play their government,, film. producers,^ sabotage the break-up of the j ot India are expanding their oper ; $i2,00Q,000 UFA combine, which I ations and' pressing for moie , Allied High Commission de I foreign markets. ^ The year 1950 ■ creed to be auctioned by Jan. 1, was^a bell rm^r in India, accord 1952. All that has happened so far mg to Nathan D. Golden, film top jg ggjc of two grade B films, per for U. S. pepartin.ent of Con^ I Western sources were also susmerce. The studios there turned ; picious of the company becau.se out a record-breaking total of 283 1 the3' fear it might tr.v to grap the features, including their first in , they fear it might try to grab the color ! state. This involves 18 of the 40 In the export field, the Indian 1 excellent first-run theatres, which ambassador to Turkey reported i UFA owned. I that Indian films were getting aj ■ j good reception in Turkey. One Indian distributor is currently touring Portuguese East Africa, the Belgian Congo and other areas of that continent, pushing sales. British Gruiana is also reported interested. $4,600 for this week. Stays on. Warner (WB) (1,735; 45-$l.60)— “Flame and Arrow” (WB) (Sd wk). Dipped to about $6,500 but stays. “Breaking Point” (WB) opens Jan. 25. U (Figures show of run) London, Jan. 23. Accolade,” Aldwych (20). British Pix Fnaidi^ By Goyt. HOYTS’ BUYS INTEREST BIG AUSSIE STATION Melbourne, Jan. 16. Ernest Turnbull, head of Hoyts* cinema circuit, has completed a deal whereby the . chain acquires a substantial interest in major commercial radio Station 3 XY. Deal will give Hoyts’ an air outlet for pic advertising . and station, when it gets ready to break into the video field. Interesting part of the deal is [ that this station was founded by the late Frank Thring, Who was also the managing director of Hovts for many years prior to National Theatres becoming a heavy stockholder In the organization. London, Jan. 16. With the publication of accounts of the Nation ai Film Finance Corp. the affairs of the new government’s film bank once again has been , brought into the public eye. Ques ' ^ ... _ ■ ' tions concerning the activities of ! ilntlSh VaUde ActOrS r ! Held Indie Contractors Jy lri in London as part, of the I estival of Britain celebrations for three weeks and theii proceed North up the West Coast. Previ two weeks next June. A West End 1 ously the Dunham Dancers did cxtlieiilre, yet to be selected, will be ' cellent business m Santiago^ de usrd. 1 Chile, but apparently struck Mar live Festival, . which is being ■ Plata too early ; in the season oi‘)4anlzed by the British Film la^ [ for the big grosses. Company may St i lute with the support of the ' return to Uruguay later in year Bi'iti.sh Film Producers Assn., wrill j for filming of “Mulatilla, the film i'oi*. a reuertorv season of ' based on a celebrated Uruguayan f‘>'nous British ^ 1 novel by Roberto Olivencia Mar ' ! quez. Some capital, still lacking in Tokyo on SRO Deal ! for this venture, is needed to keep Tokyo, Jan. 9. : sclicme from flopping. . , ( Icve Shephard, Far Eastern rep In February, the auditorium at , ' ^('Iznick Releasing Organizai the Mar del Plata Casino will be is lu-re to lay the grountlwork ' taken over by. actress Fanny Navhn (‘ndy of SRO pix into Japan ' arro, for “Taming of the Shrew, nv.\i Selznick has oblained in W'hich she has been appearing ‘'9 d'iDorl license and has been a.s at the National Comedy theatre m a quota for 1951. 1 Buenos Aires, since last October. ‘‘raronse^l V ’ i Board of Trade prexy Harold Wil ! London, Jan. .23! “Cocktan ! son^bas tried to define the policy = Variety performers were ruled “Dear Miss Phoebe” Ph’nix (15). i f # iu a a be independent contractors and “Dish R fin Aw'ay,” Vaiide (30). ! . therefore not eligible, for benefits “Fol dc Rots,” St, Martin’s (3). {March 31 this year, which show under the terms of the National “Follies Bcrgere,” Hipp (68). ! that outstanding loans amount to insurance Act here. Decision. was King Rhapsody/* Palace (70), i demand for more support for in of performer Nat Hope, who "was “Knight’s Madn'ss,” Vic. Pal. (4.01., dependents, and opposition to con i ruled to be a self-employed person PfitHoont." Amhjisft («) Centra tioii of production through by the Minister of Nationallnsur , the existing ma^oi groups. , ance. He subsoquCntly took the ! In Its first year of operation, the case to court, and Ministry’s onihNFFC has repaid $120,000 to the ■ ion was sustained. Sorrento ” AdoIIo (32 i • of $11,503,000 so far ad ■ Court stated that the degree of “?d Vanaueray Haym^^^ ^be consolidated fund, control exercised by the theatr ‘Lace on Petticoat,” Ambass. (6) “Little Ilut,” Lyric (22). “Pt. Departure,” York’s (4), “Reluctant Heroes,” W’teh’ll (19). “Ring Round Mooii/’ Gl’be (43i. CLOSED “Capt. CarvaBo,” Garrick (23). “Misfer Roberts, ” C’seum (26). future method of disposing of the and artistry of the appellant. Case dwindling reserves of the corpora had been in litigation since Seption. itemher. 1018.