Variety (April 1952)

10 lOTBRWTIOm •vxminrr lohkkkw omca t St. Hue** Yr4f»l#*r tquar* London, April 1. -F" A plea by British producers for a more lenient attitude by the Government in extending thq quota life of prestige British pix, has been rejected by the Films Council. At its meeting last Tues- day (25) requests for extended quota tickets were nixed on five applications. The importance of a prolonged quota life for 1 British films is of major concern to pro- ducers since the introduction of the Eady fund. The pool is only opened to pictures that qualify for quota and British films whose quota life expired cannot share in the subsidy. , . Producers, therefore, arc hit two ways. First, the reissue of a Brit- ish oldie has a particular appeal to exhibs if it can qualify for quota and thus help to meet the current 30% obligation. Without this aid, the selling power of the picture is seriously affected. Second, the fact that it cannot get an additional 40% of its gross from the Eady fund, has a serious adverse effect on its earning potential. The producers' request to the Board of Trade was made after last month’s executive council meeting, at which it was urged that such a policy would be of in- estimable value to the industry as a whole. It would help producers to receive additional coin-on some of the top flight British films that were distributed before the advent ol the Eady fund and would also help exhibitors in hard pressed situations to fulfil their quota com- mitments. The original request to the Board of Trade was coupled with another suggestion that a lenient view should be taken towards in- die theatres who had difficulty in fulfilling their quota. Union of Journalists In Britain to Probe ‘Intimidation’ of Crix London, March 25. Allegations of attempts to intim- idate film and drama critics are < made in a resolution which will be considered by British journalists at their annual Easter conference in Edinburgh. A motion tabled by a London suburban branch of the National Union of Journalists claims that it is disturbed by the determined efforts made by com- mercial interests to prevent honest criticism from reaching the public, particularly through columns of weekly newspapers. The resolution urges launching a public campaign to convince the public that freedom of criticism outside of national newspapers and periodicals is “largely illusory.” Attention is also drawn to the Intimidation of crix by threats of lost jobs or withdrawal of viewing facilities. Equity Asks Bril Actors To Retain TV Rights London, March 25., Film artists, who are" asked to relinquish all TV rights when sign- ing production contracts, have been urged to refuse by British Actors Equity. In a statement “important warning to NFFC Partly Blamed * For Oldway Pix Woes headed Tnnrinn March 25 members and their agents,” it is Refusal of^?he National film Finance Corp. to grant financial thf^ auestira 1 ” d ^ assistance, is one of three reasons stand on this question. . advanced by Old way Studios for a Basis of Equity claim is that the deficiency of $218,000. The com- normal contract between actor and pany, which is now being wound film producer relates to services up, was formed about three years in the making of a film for exhibi- ago to operate studios in Paignton, tion in cinemas. What is happening Devon. Other reasons advanced now, they allege, is that producers for the company losses were the are attempting, without consulta- failure of an Anglo-American vid- tion or negotiation, to impose on pix production deal to mature and actors a clause which allows the attempts at over-ambitious produc- producer to exploit the artist s por- tion formance “in a second vast and The deputy Official Receiver This ' urges '[P lcture P layers ” considered the main cause of fail- must be reslsted - . ^ ure was due to the directors undue Equity have also instructed their optinilsm which resulted In “un- members not to sign contracts con- warranted and exorbitant expendi- taining an obligation to participate Rental Coin Despite Aussie Curbs Pres, Aleman Honored For Helping Mex Films Mexico City, March 25. President Miguel Aleman won the film players annual award as. the most distinguished person in Mexico during 1951 for his stimula- tion of the film industry. Decora- tions were bestowed at a special ceremony in the president’s official residence here by Jorge Megrete, actor-singer, in his capacity as sec- retary general of the Picture Pro- duction Workers Union. Negrete told President Aleman that the decorations were “an ex- pression of gratitude of motion ture.” METRO MAY DO 7 PIX IN BRITAIN THIS YEAR London, April 1. Plans for an extended British production program by Me.tro, re- ferred to by Sam Eckman, Jr., on his arrival in N. Y. last month, are now being completed at the com- pany’s Elstree studios. Eckman in- dicated that possibly five to seven pictures would be lensed during the current year. Already in production is “Time Bomb,” with Glenn Ford due in soon to take up the starring role. A location unit is now filming at Portsmouth (big naval base) and studio work will follow shortly. Also sot in the schedule is the first Boulting Bros, picture under a new long-termer with Metro. This will be the Van Johnson starrer, “Crest of the Waves,” on which studio work is expected to begin late this spring. A number of others arc being considered, in- cluding a film version of “Brlga- doon.” Sketch Films Attract t / French Prods. Despite Not Being B.D. Tested Paris, March 25. Sketch films are becoming a part of the production setup here. Just finished is the ambitious Franco- Italian coproduction, “Seven Cap- ital Sins.” Seven sketches were turned out in France and utilized the biggest name directors, stars and technicians. “Luxury” was directed by Yves and Viviane Romance. ‘ It .probes the problem of love vs. material- ism. Roberto Rossellini handled the reins on “Envy” with Andree De- bar one sketch. “Gluttony,” writ- ten and directed by Carlo Rim, has Henri Vidal and Claudine Dupuis in top roles, while “Pride,” direct- ed by Claude Autant-Lara, ha£ | Michele Morgan in the lead. “Greed and Anger” is the work of Italo writer-director Eduardo de Filippo, who also costars in it with Isa Miranda. “Indolence,” directed by Jean Dreville, stars Jacqueline Plessis and Noel-Noel. The seventh sketch, with Gerard Philippe, will be used to animate the others and serve as a connecting link. Just going into production is a three-sketch detective film based on the exploits of George Simon- en’s Inspector Maigret, S. A. Steeman’s Inspector Wens and Peter Cheney’s Lemmy Caution. Picture is called “Three Aces” with the first sketch, "The Choir Boys’ Evidence,” to be made here, with Michael Simon as Maigret. The second, “Death in the Eleva- tor,” goes before the cameras In Belgium t with Raymond Rouleau as Wens) and the third, “I’m An^ Easy Guy,” has Dutch actor John' Van Dreelen in the lead. It will be made in Hamburg. Henry Ver- neuil is to direct. Opening here recently were two pix based on a trilogy of short stories by Guy de Maupassant called “Le Plaisir.” It was di- rected by Max Ophuls and sets up pleasure vs. age, pleasure vs. pur- ity and pleasure vs. death. “Three Women,” directed by Andre Mich- el, also was released in the last few weeks. Others done here were “Under the Paris Sky,” directed by Julien Diivivier, a slice of life in a Paris day. It is to follow “The River” into the Paris Theatre in N. Y.; “Lost Souvenirs,” directed by Christian-Jaque, about four articles lost and found; “Paris Still Sings,” a film stringing the top Gallic sing- ers together in their standard hits, and a trilogy by Paul Paviot in a series of parodies on Hollywood westerns, gangster films and hor- ror pix. in TV relays of performances in theatres where the audience has paid for admission. Similar instruc- j tions are being sent out to mem-! bers of the Musicians’ Union and the Variety Artists’ Federation. Shows Abroad I0ND0N (This Week) (Figures indicate weeks of run) "And So to Bed," Strand (24). "Bet Your Life," Hippodrome (6). "Blue for Boy," Her Majesty's (70). "Call Me Madam," Colisseum (3). "Deep Blue Sea," Duchess (4). "Excitement," Casino (4). "FIflure of Fun," Aldwych (24). "Cay's the Word," Saville (59). "Hollow," Ambassadors .144). "Kina Lear," Old Vic (5). "Knight* of Madness," Vic Palace (107). "Little Hut," Lyric (78). "Love of 4 Colonels," Windham (46). "Lyric Revue," Globe (27). "Much Ado Nothing," Phoenix (12). "Navy at Sea," Comedy (5). "Nightmare Abbey," • Westminster (5). "Fenny Plain," St. Martin (40). "Red Lettor Day," Garrick (6). "Relative Values," Savoy (17). "Reluctant Heroes," Whitehall (91). "Same Sky," D.uko of York's '(2). "Seagulls Over Sorrento," Apollo (91). "South Pacific," Drury Lane (22). "Stateley Homes," Embassy (20). "Third Person," Criterion (13). "Waters of Moon," Haymarket (51). "White Sheep Family," Piccadilly (25). "Women of Twilight," Vaudeville (24). "Zip Coes a Million," Palace (24). (CLOSED LAST WEEK) "Colombe," New (15). (OPENING THIS WEEK) (Flcurcs denote oreem dates) "The Young Elizabeth New (2). "Winter Journey," St. James (3). Aussie Location Shots Sydney, March 25. Harold Heeh, Warner Bros, pro- ducer, together w ith Norman Dem- ning, will visit the pic, “His Ma- jesty O’Keefe.” Crown Film Stays Dead ' London, March 25 The government has refused a re- prieve for the Crown Film Unit. John Boyd-Carpenter, financial sec- retary to the Treasury, gave the last word on the subject to a trade union deputation which urged re- consideration of the earlier econ- omy decision. The deputation was told that the decision was final and the matter could not be reopened. The entire studio staff is being dismissed and AUSTRALIA (Week ending April 4) "Brlgadoon," Royal, Sydney. "P«*p Show,"- Tivoli, Sydney. "KI*s M*, Kate," Her Majesty’s, Melb. "King Lear," Comedy, Melbourne. "To Dorothy, a Son," Tivoli, Melbourne. "Merchant of Venice," Royal, Adelaide. "Naughtlcal Nude*," Royal, Brisbane. PARIS (Week ending March 29) "Afgar/V Moonceau. "Belle Romblere"-"Debarr»s," Oeuvre. "Caprices de Vlchnou," Etoile. "C« Solr a Samarkand," Renaissance. "Chanteur de Mexico," Chatelet. "Congres de Clermont," Potinfprc. "Cuisine de* Anges," Ambassadeurs. "Don d'Adele," Wagram. "Double Blanc," Bouffes. "Herltlere," Mathurins. "Je I'Almals Trop," St. Georges. "Jesus la Caltle," Gramont. "J'y Suls J'y Reste," Gymnase. "La Feullle de Vlgne," Madeleine. "La Llberte Dlmanche," Hcbertot. "Liaisons Dangereuses," Gaston Baty. "Lersque I'Enfant Para It," Nouveautes. "Main de Cesar," Theatre de Paris. "Mangerant-ils?" Gaite Montparnasse "Mare aux Canards," Varictcs. D "Mon Mari ot Tol," Capucines. "Moulin do la Calotte," michodlere. "Notre Dame Hauf," Vlcux Colombier, "Occupe Minimum," Palais Royal. "Ombre Chore," Edouard VII. "Pauvre Monsieur Dupont," Ambigu. "Pays du Sourlrie," Gaite Lyriquc. "Prefere," Rochefort. "Profanateur," Antoine. "Quarante et Quatre," Michel. ’ "Revue Libertine," Casino de Paris. "Sur Torre Cemme Clel," Athcnee. "Tartemplon," Fontaine. "Tote dos Autres," Atelier. "Trols Mousquetalres," Porte St. Mart. "Valso Toreadors," Comedie C-E. "Veuve Joyeuse," Mogador. "Un Vrale Folle," Folios Bcrgere. STOCKHOLM (Week ending March 22) "Antony and Cleopatra," Royal. "Cafe Lunchrasten," Intimate. "Kiss Me, Kate," Oscar's. "Love of Four Colonels," New. "Patty," ("Moon la Blue”), All®. "Relgen," Boulevard. "Fourposter," Royal (sihall stage). "Who Is Sylvia?" Vasa. French Legit Authors Going Stale, Say Most Paris Stage-Pix Scouts ‘Paris, March 18. Consensus of opinion by legit and picture scouts here is that local playwrights are going stale generally and that Paris na longer is the fertile ground from which material can. be obtained by the U. S. Except for such people as Jacques Deval, Roger Ferdinand and a few more like Marcel Ayme or Jean Paul Sartre, the writing here suffers from isolation because of the war years which shut off writers here from the world for a long period. It is believed that this has slanted their minds on matters so they write plays that have no general appeal. They afto appear to be callous about what may prove a local draw, including offensive material, but which • does not create stories worth exporting. Such names as Marcel Achard, Jean Anouilh and Andre Roussin lately have not come up to expectations, and their- appeal is 'strictly limited to local audiences. Evidencing this is the quick suc- cession of flops experienced on Broadway by French plays, while material from other countries has shown better results. Theatr«\Bix in Hands of Few Locally, the'real theatre business is concentrated in -a s few hands, like Maurice* Lehmann, Leon Be- noit Deutsch, Jean de Letraz, Mitty Goldin, Henri Bernstein. In the lighter fields there are Paul Der- val and Henri Varna and more re- cently Pierre Louis-Guerin, who may become the leader. Most other theatre men are speculators trying to find angels to back their shoe- stringing productions. As in the picture field, here, most producers are merely promoters. Even people, who, like Simonne Berriau, ard supposed to do big business, operate on a system that involves plenty of strange deals. The same applies to choreogra- phers Serge Lifar is now considered passe and were it not for Boris Kniazeff and some other for- eigners, ballet here would soon die. Another reason for the legit theatre slumping considerably here, apart from pictures (radio doesn’t mean much, television nothing), is the fact that the in- siders have killed the golden goose. The red-inspired unions have made so many demands that it is often unprofitable to put on show that otherwise might have provided employment for many people. However, localities, who ap- parently with no worldwide point of view, do not realize how much this center has dropped behind the times and how far it will have to go in order to regain its old position in the theatre world. There is no talk of the film being „ — In Aussie; only location shots being I the Bcaconsfield plant is to go probable. I dark. GLASGOW (Week eliding March 29) "His Excellency," Aihambru. "McFlannels' H*om?’nf>y," Metropole. "June end the Payceck," Citizens. "Peter Pan," Kind's. BUENOS AIRES (Week ending March 22) "Darling Burglar," Giund Splendid. "Don Guzman the Good," Llceo. "Eyes Full of Love," Versailles. "Lost Face," Buenos Aires. "Men In My Life," Pm-rt. "Tears Also Dry," Aleneo. "3 Cries Over Sea," Politcuma. Edinburgh 6th Film Fete Edinburgh, March 25. Sixth annual International Film Festival will run here Aug. 17 to Sept. 7, concurrently with the Edinburgh Festival of Music and Drama. Films are expected from Australia, Canada, U. S. and India Inquiries have been received from many of the 28 countries repre sented at last year’s junket. Organized by the Edinburgh Film Guild, with the collaboration of the British Film Institute, the fete has the support and coopera tion of the governments and film organizations in several countries Sydney, March 25. No official decision has yet been announced by the Robert Menzies government regarding any curb on rental coin takeaway by British dis- tributors operating in Aussie. Cur- rently, British distribs are allowed 100% coin takeaway but U. S. com- panies can only remit 75% of rent- al earnings. Reported that British distrib chiefs are taking their case for con- tinuance of the 100% takeaway to the British High Commissioner in Canberra for presentation to the government. There are some indus- try insiders who believe that gov- ernmental treasury officials may suggest that a percentage (not as high as that covering U. S, distribs) of British earnings from films re- main frozen in Aussie in keeping with the government’s new finan- cial policy. Carbons, Projectors Cut Down Industry- leaders will confer im-' mediately with governmental offi- cials in connection with the import cut on carbons (vital to Aussie the- atre operation), rawstock for local film processing, projectors, techni- cal equipment, publicity material and other material necessary to the successful operation of Down Un- der cinemas. As one circuit execu- tive stated: “What’s the use of hav- ing pix if you haven’t the equip- ment to put them on the screen?” Industry leaders are concerned over the fact that the government is cutting imports of commercial goods from as high as 80% to 40%, using the 1950-51 period as a basis. Industry men say that this particu- lar span was a bad one from the importers’ viewpoint because there was a major lack of shipping be- tween England and Australia and many importers had to live on stocks on hand, including all those organizations handling cinema car- bons, projectors, etc. While there has been ho govern- mental edict on any product cut on pix either from England or the U. .S., film leaders believe there will be no curb on screen fare this year, major factor in this direction being that it is a practical impos- . sibility to produce a sufficient num- ber of pix Down Under to keep cinemas in full* operation. Right now there is not one studio where a film is before the cameras. Understood, however,' that the government may decide to curb 16m product for private uSe. But this wouldn’t be a bad edict for regular exhibitors; rather it would be helpful. PAR GETS 290-SEATER IN SYDNEY FOR FILMS Sydney, April 1. Paramount has set a three-year deal to play first-release product at the 290-seat Variety bandbox house here. The independent Syd- ney Theatres Ltd., arranged dealt House has Been playing reissues for long time with an occasional foreign pic. Par starts using house July 1. Understood that this minor seater still has about nine oldie pix - under contract: These will be spotted in between the Paramount films until contract expires. Paramount’s major showcase here is the 1390-seat Prince Ed- ward, operated by Carroll-Mus- grave Theatres Ltd. Deal with the Variety will give Paramount an additional outlet for piled-up prod- uct. The former house has been playing between 10 and 12 top Paramount films a year, not figured sufficient to cover yearly lineup. Some time ago, when product outlets in Melbourne tightened up, Paramount clinched a deal with Gaiety Theatres, Ltd, to take over the 1350-seat Rings as a first-re- lease showcase, and set another "deal with Celebrity Theatres for the 1025-seat Majestic, in Adel- aide. Scot TV Site Juicelcss London, March 25. None of the villagers in Kirk O’Shotts, where Scotland’s only TV transmitter is situated, is able to view television programs. There is no electricity in the village. The population has refused to become excited about tele, claim- ing to be much more interested in the installation of an electrical generating plant.