Variety (September 1952)

^AJIIMTY'#' Lj»MDON OfPJCK • Jit MirilH'i l*Uc«/ rjfmUhttr S«iuir« f^SniSfr INTEIINATIONAL 15 Italo TV Looks to Be Established By ’58 Despite Early Slow Strides Rome, Sept. 9. T’plevision should be established i tn Ttalv in about five or six years,' t" is estiJ^^ated by authorities here. Work on the new medium is quiet- Iv fioing on here. At this time, {here is only one TV station in T nin which can send programs as S « MUan. Originally, the Turin Concession was a private organiza- 5ion But since the initial telecast in April, the government, via the Ministry of Telecommunication has purchased the shares and is sole owner of Radio Italiana, as it Is called. The government intends to es- tablish 13 TV stations in Italy, with a network of coaxial cable and radio links to connect the stations so thftt programs which originate in one point may be telecast by all 13 stiitionSi It is cstimstcd thnl this program of building TV sta- tions will take five to six years. Two are already in existence at Turin and Milan. Other stations have been placed on order, utiliz- ing imported equipment at first, later with equipment which has been manufactured here. The Italian government hopes to have TV equipment companies and man- ufacturers as an added means of local emplojTnent. The first stations listed for build- ing are Rome and Portofino (Genoa), for 1953. Subsequently, TV service will be installed in Florence, Venice, Naples and fi- nally in southern Italy, Sicily and the Italian islands. The government has issued a permit to allow importation of 5,000 sets, expected to arrive in the next few months, in addition to the 3,000 sets which Italian manu- facturers are now turning out. In the future, most sets will be local- ly manufactured. Sets should cost about $300 at^the onset, but this price later will uhdoubtedly be lowered. ' One Italian TV head said that television would never reach the proportions in Italy that it has reached in the U. S. because of the general economic situation. There undoubtedly will be sets in- stalled in the local theatres. Since the government heads the film in- dustry here as well as the TV busi- ness there would be no rivalry be- tween the two. Sports programs will most'likely be the biggest lure to the sports mad Italians, especial- ly the Calcio Games, a sort of foot- ball-cricket contest. Aside from news events and sports, most programs subsequent- ly will be on film. Stratford-oB-Avon Skeds Extensive Anzac Tour Melbourne, Sept. 16. Details for th^ Stratford-on- Avon Shakespearean Co. tour of New Zealand and Australia have been set. Troupe is due to reach Auck- land next Jan, 30, and open at His Majesty’s Theatre Feb. 2, with sea- son running until Feb. 28. Troupe will then play Christchurch March 2-14; Dunedim March 16-28, and Wellington,' March 30-April 18. Company will then go to Aus- tralia, opening in Sydney April 21, finishing its run June 20. Other Australian dates are Brisbane, June 22-July 4; Melbourne, July 6- Sept. 9; Adelaide, Sept. 18-Oct. 3, and Perth, Oct. 5-17. The J. C. Williamson theatres is managing the tour. Aussie TV Seen Possibility in ’53 Sydney, Sept. 9. Australia governmental officials are said to view the setting up of a major television loop more favor- ably than previously, hinting that Prime Minister Robert G. Menzles may have his Cabinet give the greenlight to Down Under TV with- in the next 12 months. Understood here that Electronic Industries, headed by A. G. War- ner, offered this week to set up TV stations immediately, and to hook up key centres with micro- wave transmitters. Each station would have a range of 25 miles. Warner told officials that his com- pany did not seek exclusive TV rights here and would welcome competition. He also pointed out that the government would reap around $6,000,000 yearly on license fees from the TV fans, plus an extra $6,000,000 covering sales tax on sets sold via commercial organ- izations. Some two years ago Prime- Minister Menzies hinted (because of dexense upbeat) that Australians could not expect TV operation un- der 10 years. It’s understood that governmental chiefs have been pressing Menzies to review his nix edict. It’s said that Sir Percy Spender, Aussie Ambassador in Washington, has been looking over the TV setup in the U. S. on be- half of his government. Figuring here is that U. S. organizations will also be invited to quote for TV equipment Down Under, together with other British and Dutch TV units. Ford Expands TV in Mex Mexico City, Sept. 16. Ford Motors de Mexico has startr ed large scale and' big-time TV presentation. Automotive vehicle firm, operator of a large assembly plant here, is conducting “Ford’s Air Theatre’’ once weekly for half hour over local station XHTV, channel 4, with selected Mexican and foreign dramas, comedies, mu- sical comedies, operettas, vaude, ballet and grand opera. Opener was “Another Spring,” drama by Rodolfe Usigli, whose comedy, “Jane Is a Girl,” has long been sock at the Teatre Colon here. CEA to Set Future Policy on Eady, Act on Defaulters at Oct. Session --f E. German Soviets Form New Film Committee For Stronger Commie Policy Berlin, Sept. 9. Following a resolution of the' SED. the Communist Party in Ger-' many .<1 East-Zone,—tlio-Sov-iet -zone-; »>ri/iAnT\ i mr A iT/ir c* A ¥ r parhament^approved Jhe setup of I RECORD ADVANCE SALE ON ‘WIND’ IN TOKYO Julie Wilson Set to Sub In London Tacific’ Lead; No Snarl Seen on Permit London, Sept. 16. Subject to-a labor permit being granted, Julie Wilson will take over the Mary Martin role of Nellie ForbUsh in “South Pacific” Nov. 10. Application has been made to the Ministry of Labor and a decision is expected soon. Miss Wilson clicked here two years ago in “Kiss Me, Kate.” Work permits for other Ameri- can members of the “South Pacific” cast, including Wilbur Evans, Fredd Wayne and Muriel Smith, are due for renewal end of this month. For- mal application was made to the Labor Ministry last week in ac- cordance with usual practice. When the labor permits came up for extension last June, British Ac- tors Equity maneuvered to prevent* their renewal and indicated that it would only endorse an application on behalf of Miss Martin. Tactics resulted in the permits being de- layed, but eventually the union withdrew its opposition. Currently, Equity has yet to de- cide its stand on the latest applica- tion for extension, but there’s a feeling locally that the strained situation of the summer has now passed and' that a more cordial, friendly attitude is likely. The fact that the London production of “The Millionairess’ is moving to America with the full London com- pany is regarded as a sign of im- proved relationship between Eng- lish and American unions. a slate film committee. Sepp Schwab, director of the Commie film producing outfit, DEFA, was appointed chairman of the commit- tee. The committee is responsible for the iurlherance of film art, produc- tion planning, the systematic ex- ploitation ol Soviet film experiences and tor further development of film conncction.s in foreign . .countries. J he SED recently sharply criticized the work of "DEFA gnd demanded us pix be more political. The Com- mies. with the establishment of the committee, have obtained an in- Ririiment which guarantees this de- mand. without paying any heed to of the audience hich dislikes political propaganda pix Schwab admitted that the DEbA fulfilled only 60% of its ?oi P^^^ 2iP<i that four fin- siied films were sent back for reshooting scenes for ideological Even before the establishment ini stale film committee it is i n cresting to note that many di- aif. others associ- i, h quit their to West Germany, reason, the DEFA became '•‘Ullloil‘4 and Tokyo, Aug. 9. When Metro’s “Gone With the Wind” opened its ten-week initial road show run here Sept. 4, half of the seats available for the first month were sold out. There had been 64,134 tickets sold by Sept 3, which tapped the advance .sale rec- ord held here by “Red Shoes.” “Wind’s” advance take did not in- clude 3,000 tickets at $4 each bought by patrons who attended an advance charity show Aug. 27. More than $72,000- has been col- lected from advance sales in Tokyo. Admission price is highest in Ja- pan’s history, $-1.67 top. Crix were unanimous in their raves for the pic. Film is shown on three-a-day basis. -.MM . . announcing the staff forthcoming pix. The cm, r\ asked 50 of its lin living in West Ber- t M willing to transfer , '.^'•‘'UIcnce to the Soviet zone, bill ocily two agreed. Borovansky Ballet Set For New Zealand Tout Auckland, Sept. 16. The Borovansky Ballet Co. will commence its tour of New Zealand Sept. 17 at His Majesty’s Auck- land. Opening program will be “Swan Lake,” “Petrouchka” and “Le Beau Danube.” Troupe will also appear in Ham- ilton, Master ton, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Inver- cargill. Tour is under J. C. Wil- liamson Theatres management. Sock Aussie ‘SP’ Bow Melbourne, Sept. 16. The J. C. Williamson Theatres production of “SoutlT Pacific” had its Aussie preem at Her Majesty’s Theatre here Saturday night (13) before a plush capacity audience and to a rousing reception. Man- agement feels it’s the best yet of its imports, and will be a terrific success, probably staying as long or longer than such previous im- ports as “Oklahoma” and “Annie, Get Your Gun.” which ran a year each. Staging by Charles Atkin, of the N. Y. Rodgers & Hammerstein staff, was singled out, as were per- formances by the cast and leads. Three of the leads are from the U. S., in Mary LaRoche (Nellie), Virginia Paris (Bloody Mary) and Leonard Stone (Billis). Other leads are Richard Collette (Emile) and David Welch (Lf. Cable). Most press notices were cordial, referring to “enchanted Saturday evening” and “rare atmospheric realism.” but the Melbourne Sun News Pictorial thought the musi- cal “decidedly no ‘Show Boat’ or ‘Oklahoma’.” Flynn to Do British Film for Frankovitch London, Sept. 16. Errol Flynn, who is now filming in the WB British production, "Master of Ballantrae,” has been pacted for another British film. He has been signed to co-star with Indian actress Nimmi in “Fire Over Africa,” a Film Locations’ venture to ]ye produced by Mike J. Frankovitch. Pic is scheduled to go into production in about three months and will be lensed mainly on location in Morocco and Kenya in Technicolor, Script is by Tony Bartley and Philip Yordan. Meantime Frankovitch, together with Mehboob, producer of the Indian film “Aan,” which stars Nimmi, planed to N. Y. at the weekend to set U. S. distribution. Film locations recently acquired European and western hemisphere rights to this Indian Technicolor production. Brit. Seeking Boost In Pi\ imports to Japan London. Sept. 16. Official representations are be- ing made on behalf of British film producers by the Board of Trade to the Japanese government in Tokyo. BOT is complaining about a reduction in the number of im- port licenses and the introduction of a tax on remittable earnings. Having anticipated that they would receive 15 import licenses for the year ending next March. British film makers actually got only 14. Otlfer countries also have had their allocations cut. The reduction in licenses was followed by the imposition of a 20^0 tax on the producers share of remittable royalties. This levy, which is being applied retroactive- ly to last April, may lead to a joint prote.st action by the British and American industries. Pirate,’ ‘4-Poster’ Command Entries London, Sept. 16. Viewing started the latter part of last week of films submitted for this years's Royal Command per- formance to be held at the Empire Oct. 27. Final decision is expected by this weekend. More than the usual secrecy on entries is being maintained this year but it is known that eight to 12 titles pix have been submitted by distributors. At least three Brit- ish films are included. The British candidates for royal honors include “It Started in Paradise,” a J. Ar- thur Rank Pic, “Crim.soh Pirate,” made by Warner Bros, here and Renown’s “Pickwick Papers.” Of the Hollywood films offered, the list includes Samuel Goldwyn’s production of “Hans Christian An- dersen,” Metro’s “Because You’re Mine,” and two Kramer produc- tions “The Fourposter” and “The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T.” Para- mount is reported to have sub- mitted “Road to Bali.” PORTUGAL STALLS U.S. FILM COIN UNFREEZING Lisbon, Sept. 1ft. Importers of American pictures have been waiting for over eight weeks for an answer to their plea for an increase in the amount of exportable dollars for 1952. It will bq recalled that while until four y^ars ago -there were no restrict tions on the exportation of dollars coming from U. S. distributor coin, the exportable amount has been reduced to the present $450,000 for this year. There is threat of further reduction for 1953. M. A, J. Healy, who Tepresents the Motion Picture Assn, of Amer- ica in Madrid and Lisbon, has been very active in trying to get the importers the asked-for $600,000 this year,^ and the same for 1953. However, his efforts Have elicited no reply from the Portuguese min- istries. London, Sept. 16. Future participation by theatre owners in the Eady fund has be- come the No. 1 problem of the Cinematograph Exhibitors Assn, general council. A prelim debate last Wed. (10) is to be followed by a specially convened se.ssion next month. In the interim, views of provincial branches will be sounded out. The CEA leadership is confront- ed with a two-fold problem. First, it must decide what to do with the defaulters who refuse to pay the weekly share of their grosses into the pool. This number has grown in recent months, and it is now officially reported that 266 theatres are not co-operating. Annual loss to the fund is around $225,000. Secondly, the general council must determine its future policy. Under existing commitments, the Eady fund continues until August, 1954, but producers who have to plan their schedules well ahead and are threatening curtailment ol programs unless agreement is cached soon, are waiting for an early decision. One of the main stumbling blocks to exhibitor unanimity is the feeling of theatre men that they are doing all the paying and getting little in return. The prod- uct which is made with the aid ol Eady finance is first offered to the major groups and the small indie only gets choice of the second or third-run, and so on, down the line. Now they are even more An- noyed because they have asked foi data as to where the money is going, and have been told it it none of their concern. Decision to hold the special gen- eral council session next month was taken on the initiative o Cecil G. Bernstein. At' the same- time, the council accepted another resolution not to discuss the future of the fund with other trade asso- ciations until satisfactory terms o) reference had been agreed upon. Other Foreign News on Pages 18 and 19 20th-Fox to Make Part Of ‘Seaman’ at Wembley London, Sept, 16. Wembley Studios is to be used for feature production for the first time since the war. The loL which was used in wartime to make army training films and subsequently concentrated on documentaries, will be employed for part of the interior lensing of Uie new 2Qth- Fox British production, “Able Sea- man Brown.” The production unit moves to a Mediterranean location next week for six weeks of filming. On its re- turn, the unit will move in to Wem- bley. Subsequent interiors will be shot at Shepperton. The Wembley ! studios were used extensively by j 20th-rox in prewar days turning out product to meet the company’s I quota requirements. Quality Product Beats Heat in Paris; Summer Film Biz Unusually Bk;. Paris, Sept. 16. Summer grosses show that qua’ ity films can beat the heat an( lack of air conditioning here, will trade unusually big for the warn period. Easily the topper is thi Franco-Italo co-production “Tli Little World of Don Camillo.” Thi- Fernandel starrer racked up ; phenomenal $453,000, playing a the big three theatre tandem here the Gaumont Palace, Berlitz an. Colisee. Film finally had to maki way for other committments be is continuing sturdy in its seconc runs on the Champs-Elysecs am Grands boulcvard.s. Next bC/tt is the problem pic o: capital—ptmisl-nnent, “W^-Are A' Murderers.” Film, which won ; special jury prize at the Canne Film Festival, racked up $195.00 playing at the Marignan and Mari vaux.. Next was “Royal Marriage’ (M-G) which got $60,000 at th Normandie and Rex, “Whe Worlds Collide” (Par) was ne,\ best with an average take of $54 000. The Japanese film “Rashomon.’ Venice Fete_ winner last yeai.. playing a smallerseater here hit ; nice $42,000. The late starter. “A American in Paris” (M-G) has • $46,000 take so far and is buildin; “Two Penny’s Worth of Hope.’ Italo prizewinner at the Canne ! Fest, 'playing at a smallscater i starting in later in the summer bv breaking all records at the houi- with $21,000 so far. Word-of-mouti is helping it. Reissue of “Tales of Hoffmann’ (Korda), in its French version, ha gro-s.sed $24,000, and still look strong. “Fra Diavolo.” France Italo costumer, garnered $33,00 j on its run. Mex Marathons Spread Mexico City, Sept, 9. Succc.ss of the internationa i dance marathon at the Teatre Iri - ’ has the inspired Promoter Jorg«. ' Martinez Isaac.s to- arrange a lik( ' contest in Guadalajara. Mexico’ second largest city. But he already has competition I in the hinterland.