Variety (December 1952)

fVARIKTY'S 1 LONDON OFFICE « it. partin'* Pfoe», TraWWr »guar» PjSSzmfy IIN T T£RXATTONilL 13 Eyen With Film Prod. Woes, Arg. Govt Continues Loans; Makes Tough Rules Buenos Aires, Dec. 16. 4- The Peron regime does not seem discouraged by. the crisis in the Argentine film industry which has bankrupted all except three of the Sf.fior studios because it has an- nounced further loans to be grant- ed producers under certain condi- finns To merit these loans the pro- ducers must make films which 'wmslitute authentic expressions of the Argentine soul in its purest indal artistic, economic and scien- tific manifestation, serving to por- tray our way of life to the world.” Industrial Credit Bank will grant the loans to producer j who have their own studios or have none of their own. But they must have at least one Argentine feature pic.to their credit and have okay credit backing. They must prove sufficient other 'financial backing to under- take the film. The loan will cover ijqc'c of production cost. The hank must pass on all budgets, and pay- ment must be over a two-year pe- riod at 5'‘i. Loans will be granted also on pix already in production or ready for release. Last proviso presumably is designed to help some of the shuttered studios which have com- pleted or nearly finished pictures but as yet not released. Big snag to the setup is that the bank cannot grant loans without the approval of the Press & Infor- mation Ministry, whose recom- mendations must be followed in every instance. Ministry must rule on whether the planned pic would help the Argentine prestige abroad, check on budget and cast and de- termine what the film’s commercial prospects are. This gives entertain- ment chief Raoul Apold.the power of life or death over the industry. It also enables him to dictate what talent must go into key roles. The loan'decree comes soon after the protectionist fiat which obliges all exhibitors to pay first-run rent- als of 60 r o of grosses on all local product. It also sets holdover terms at 60<;; of the maximum established for foreign pix. While these measures are being adopted in an effort to save the in- dustry. Productora Cinematografica Argentina, another producing firm, filed a bankruptcy petition only last week. Because of the collapse of Emel- co Studios, which had many screen personalities under contract, vet Enrique Muino has not been seen on the screen since 1951, The last Emelco pic, “Caballito Criollo,” has not been released because of the studio’s shuttering. He is now be- ing sought for a film written by radio scripter Abel Santa Cruz. He would be cast with Amelia Sanchez Arino. The day after work was com- pleted at EFA Studios on “Mission in Buenos Aires.” starring Spanish bullfighter Mario. Cabr^, all person- nel was given dismissal notices. Three cases of raw stock, delivered the same day, were deposited in escrow as guarantee of payment of severance pay to the staff. Cocktails, Supper Plus Legit Show, Dance Xmas Gift in Paris for $3 « Paris, Dec. 16. Lovernment-backed Theatre Na- tional Populaire is offering cus- tomers a big show biz bargain as n, as For 1,000 francs (a 11 J°.< ess $^) so-called week- enci tickets are on sale at the box- ri l^n ol Theatre du Palais de ^nailiot where the company headed y Jean Vilar is playing until early January. Ticket entitles holder to coek- aits, proem of company’s produc- r,! . T - s - ®iol- s “Murder in nnd '! u ’ ( ' rn l" Plus a buffet-supper n a hall on Xmas eve. ^ n C hr 1st mas Day for another one gets a matinee of Moliere’s , M ‘ r - along with a cocktail- fflvm 1 101111)0 and the night per- fo maiu-e of Corneille classic. “The Ullh Gerard Philipe in the hiiv' U . V' ar s ^ ve weekend ticket have a cocktail-party, a c„ ,'iv Vl '.^ T ion of the Macliiavelli S • Ma ndragora,” and all- diix ,. ,session. On New Year’s j.i// f,,? 1 ’ 11 ' ors attend an afternoon prod hi ' vt ' ( ' 0(, ktail-buffet and the Ha,, 1 ,;; ot Klcisfs “Prince 61 M-G, Toho Hassle Over ‘Wind’ Dates Settled Tokyo, Dec. 16. The tiff between Metro and Toho over the roadshowing of “Gone With Wind” at the Yurakuza here, has been settled in a compromise whereby Metro has agreed to a two- week repeat of “Wind” at the the- atre this month following the cur- rent run of “Death of Salesman” Metro had insisted earlier that the film be shown continuously at the house as long as biz remained above $2,700 a month. The road- show was begun Sept. 4 and b.o. had remained above the stipulated minimum although falling lower and lower as the rim continued. The trouble cropped up when Toho booked the Col film for road- show at the Yurakuza starting Nov. 29, supplanting “Wind.” The Japa- nese distributor then offered the compromise plan of the two-week repeat which Metro spurned at first. Later, when Toho offered to run “Wind” at another downtown Tokyo house early next February, Metro accepted. Both parties agreed that details of the February run would be discussed later al- though Toho contends that the run should be for only three or four weeks. London Shows Continued from page 10 by the London Tent of the Variety Club in aid of the National Play- ing Fields Assn, and Central Coun- cil of Physical Recreation... A spe- cial feature of the royal preem was the addition of a ballet sequence, with Sadler’s Wells dancer Nadia Nerina as ballerina and Sir Adrian Boult conducting the orchestra.. Basically this is conventional and not particularly imaginative circus. Many of the acts are reminiscent of vaudeville, and the animal scenes, with elephants, horses, zebras, sea lions and pen- guins, are staged in one key. High- spot is Frank Conelly’s aerial act, in which he does some daring head balancing, and some slick juggling by Edouardo, who climaxes his turn with flaming flares as his main props. Emile Littler’s “Jack and Jill,” his 12th London panto, opened at the London Casino (181, proving as lavishly mounted and generally amusing as it predecessors. Hy Hazell is a dashing, personable Principal Boy ahd Michael Bentine •and Charlie Chester head the com- edy section with crazy antics. Out- standing hit is the French adagio team, Trio Gypsy, and show is a surefire Christmas attraction. “Sleeping Beauty On Ice,” pre- sented by Sir Arthur Elvin and Tom Arnold at Wembley Empire Pool last Thursday (18), is the sec- ond colorful blades pantomime in the series, depending more on art- istry and patriotic pageantry than on humor. It stars Daphne Walker, Gloria Nord and Heinie Brock, who were warmly acclaimed. Jackie & Chocolato, Italiari clowns, repeated their last year’s success. Jack Hylton made a successful entry into the circus field at Earls Court Arena yesterday (Mon.) with a slick production containing a full quota of animal acts. Spectacular acts included Minerva riding a mo- torcycle on a high perch; Miss Atomia and partner fired from a cannon, and Mohammed’s fast team of Arab tumblers. “Dear Charles,” a diverting French comedy, was handed a warm reception by first-nighters following preem of the piece at the New Theatre 'Thursday (18). Adapted by Alan Melville from “Les Enfants d’Edouard” of Marc Gilbert Sauvajon and Frederick Jackson, the play provides a first- class vehicle for Yvonne Arnaud. A long run looms. Story of this Alee L. Rea and E. P. Clift production concerns an unwed mother who has three chil- dren by three fathers in as many countries. Principals ^ concerned have a reunion in Paris some 20 years later. Miss Arnaud won criti- cal plaudits for her portrayal of the unmarried femme, while Charles Goldner, Gerard Heinz and Garry Marsh contribute firm support as the fathers. U. S. Dept, of Commerce's Nate Golden details why he sees the Foreign Outlook Vncertain for American Films it it another editorial feature In the soon-due 47th Anniversary Number of P'Sriety British Film Prods. Seen Weakening On Stand Vs. Allowing Pix on TV U.S. Pix Dominate Paris Xmas Bis Paris, Dec. 23. With 12 new pix scheduled to hit the first-runs here to compete for the Yuletide biz, American films predominate. Most of offer- ings are in color and are comedy or musical type pix. With many on day-daters, the pictures will play a total of 36 houses. Seven of the pix are tinters, with “Bend Of River” (U>, in two big houses. ‘ Distant Drums” (WB), in four smaller spots; “Caribbean Gold”. (Par) playing also in four theatres; as well as “Return of Captain Blood” (UA) and “Ivan- hoe” (M-G). “Revenge of Ali Baba” (Col) is the sixth in color. Musicals are also on tap with Metro’s “Texas Carnival” (also in color), and a French entry, “Vio- lettes Imperiales.” i.ignt comedies are being supplied by the French in the first-runs with “Elle Et Moi,” a comedy with Francois Pe- rier and Dany Robin, and “La Fuge De Monsieur Perle” with Noel-Noel. Still tops here are “Limelight” (UA), now in a small Champs- Elysees theatre, Rene Clair’s com- edy, “Les Belles De Nuits”; Rene Clement’s moppet pic, “Forbidden Games”;. “The Quiet Man” (Rep), “Detective Story” (Par) and “Mar- rying Kind.” A lot of the theatre money prob- ably will be snared by the bargain Xmas eve and day offering- of Jean Vilar’s Theatre National Populaire here. The ABC MusJ*’ Hall goes in for .legit operetta again with “The Flowered Way” with Georges Guetary and Bourvil. Niteries are getting heavy ad- vance bookings. Some are charg- ing as high as 10,000 francs ($25) for the evening, and getting it. Sees Mex ’53 Pix Low Mexico City, Dec. 16, Film production in X953 won’t exceed 90, a new low in recent times, according to the prediction of Juan Bandera, manager of Peli- culas Mexicanas, distributor of Mexican films abroad. He is the first to forecast Tiext year’s pix output. Bandera in- sists that 90 pix in 1953 will be ample for Mexico and export. Legit Shows Abroad LONDON (Week ending Dec. 20) "Affairs of State/' Cambridge (8-21). "Bells St. Martin/' St. Mart. (8-29). "Call Me Madam," Coliseum (3-15). "Dear Charles," New (12-18). "Deep Blue Sea," Duchess (3-6). "Dial M Murder," West. (6-19). "Gay Dog," Piccadilly (6-12). "Globe Revue," Globe (7-10). "Happy Marriage," Duke York (8-7). "High Balcony," Hanip. (12-1). "Holy Terrors," Arts (12-1). "Little Hut," Lyric (8-23-50). "London Laughs," Adolph! (4-12). "Love of Colonels," Wyn. (5-23-5D. "Love from Judy," Saville (9-25). "Meet Callahan." Garrick (5-27). "Mousetrap," Ambas. (11-25). "Murder Mistaken," Ambassadors (10-4). "Psrls to Picc^dM'y/' Pr. Wales (4*15). "Porgy 3» Bess," Stoll (10-8). "Quadrille," Phoenix (9-12). "Relative Value," Savoy (11-28-51). "Reluctant Heroes," While. (9-12-50). "Ring Out Bells," Vic. Pal. (11-12). "River Line," Strand <10-20. . "Seagulls Sorrento," Apollo (6-14-50). "South Pacific," Drury Lane (11*1-51). "Sweet Peril," St. James (12-3). "Water of Moon," Haymarket (4-19-51). "Wild Horses," Aldwych (10-6). "Zip Goes a Million," Palace (10-20-51) "Young Eliz.," Criterion (4-2). SCHEDULED OPENINGS (Figures denote premiere dates) "Friendly Relations," St. Martins (20). "Richard II," Lyric. Hammersmith (29). AUSTRALIA (Week ending Dec. 20y "Follcs Bergere," Tivoli, Sydney. "Cassino," Comedy, Mel. "Castle In Air," Royal, Adelaide, "South Pacific," Majesty, Mcl. "Ice Parade," Empire, Sydney. "Night at Follies," Royal. Bris. "White Sheep," Princess, Mel. "Annie Get Your Gun," Royal, Sydney. "Lucky People," Tivoli, Mel. Japan Tries Lensing In Hawaiian Locales Honolulu, Dec. 16. , Hollywood studios are not the only ones sending film units to foreign locations. Japan’s produc- ers have begun to discover that Hawaii is a logical setting for many of their scripts. Shintoho-Shinsei Productions re- cently completed filming “Hawaii no Yoru” (“Hawaiian Night”) here. It stars Toji Tsuruta as swimmer who com'Cs to Hawaii in 1940, just before the war, for a swim meet and falls in love. Takiko Mizunoe and Hiroku Misono have the femme leads. For the pic, 19 actors and technicians were flown to Hono- lulu. Location sites drew up to 500 spectators daily as director Shue Matsubayashi shot the film. Meanwhile, a local group of Japanese-American vets is wrap- ping up a deal with Shintoho to film a Japanese language story of. Hawaii’s famed 442d Combat Team, the same outfit pictured in Metro’s “Go for Broke.” It will be the story of a Hawaii resident, born in Japan, whose emotions change drastically from the time her U. S.- born son volunteers for Army duty until he is killed in action. Kinuyo Tanuka, vet Tokyo ac- tress, may play the lead. Studio and local 442d Club have been working ort script and details. Pic- ture, which is called “Hawaii, no Haha” (“Mother of Hawaii”), is set for Isle filming next spring. French Pix Continued from page 10 category well represented this year. Jacques Becker did “Rue De L’Etrapade.” Jean Boyer’s "Femmes De Paris” gives a close- up of the psyches of luscious Paris lovelies. “A Girl in The Sun” has Myriam Bru upsetting a sleepy lit- tle French town. “It Happened In Paris,” in both French and English, shows Evelyn Keyes as an American heiress who finds love and adventure in Paris while “Henriette’s Party.” the Ju- lien Duvivier opus, .depicts a dreamy young gal who finally finds love. The list of dramas includes “Call of Destiny,” about a drunken com- poser who finds rehabilitation through the love of his prodigy son; “Wages of Fear,” H. G. Clou- zot’s three-hour survey of need and fear as two men inch a truck loaded with explosives over a bumpy South American terrain; "The Snow Was Dirty,” a survey of twisted morals and lives in the wake of the occupation. “The House of Silence” is a sketch film about a group of men in a monas- tery and their .previous lives. It is directed by G. W. Pabst. Crime, Whodunit Pix Also Figure Crime and whodunits are also repped in “The House of Crime.” a drama of love and murder; “The Gunmoll,” based on a Peter Cheney story; “Follow That Man,” a whodunit with Bernard Blier playing an inexorable inspector; “La Pochard,” about a famous mur- der trial with Pierre Brasseur starred; and “I Am An Informer," with some closeups of police tac- tics. Bucolic opuses are also on tap. Marcel Pagnol’s three-hour “Manon Des Sources” concerns the-earth/ carryings-on in a small French town. There are also various Bour- vil. Fcrnandel and Yves Demand films., These productions give a good backlog here for the coming year but there are few big pix among them to help in getting a real hold on the lagging foreign markets which are so sorely needed by French distribs and producers. Pix are still expensive here in compari- son with their amortization value; hence, the average film finds it hard to earn production costs with- out a good foreign income. Doing biz here and having ear- marks of U. S. interest are Rene Clair’s “Belles De Niut,” a fantasy of-the intermingling of dream and reality; “Adorables Creatures.” a sexy roundelay about perfidious fem fries, and “We Are All -Mur- derers.” an impassioned plea against capital punishment. London, Dee. 16. With the impending approach of commercial TV, the British film industry is conscious that its rela- tionship with television is on a precarious footing. The entire pic- ture industry gets a real plug every fortnight via the British Broadcast- ing Corp.’s “Current Release” pro- gram, but is unable to accom- modate BBC in supplying enter- tainment films 'to fill program time. The situation becomes more deli- cate each week. In the next few weeks, the British Film Producers Assn, hopes, with the support of other trade organizations to ar- range an exploratory meeting with BBC execs to ascertain their film requirements for TV, and get some idea of the financial reward that might accrue to producers. The BBC has made no secret of the fact that it wants full-length features • to supplement its pro- gram. Any good intentions on the part of the industry have been nixed by exhibitors with their bar against letting producers air their pix on television. The industry is prepared to face demands from the BBC for a quid pro quo in return for the boxoffice booster that comes via Current Release. If they desist the overture to supply current product they may be warned that in the future they will have to buy their own bally time on commer- cial TV. If this should happen it will be the crowning irony for British pix producers, because the sole sponsored network will be con- trolled by the Associated Broad- casting Development Co., of which Sir Alexander Korda is director. The Korda group of companies pulled out of the BFPA earlier this year. While preparing for the BBC meeting, the British industry as a whole is trying to organize a ses- sion with the government’s Tele- vision Advisory Committee to am- plify its case on direct transmis- sions to picture theatres. A draft memorandum is being 'compiled for submission to an early meet- ing of the trade associations con- cerned. 2 Aussie Chains Prep Theatre TV Plans; Await Gov’t Okay in Late 1954 Melbourne, Dec. 16. At the annual meeting of stock- holders of Hoyts’ circuit, Ernest Turnbull, managing director, in- formed the shareholders that a blueprint had been prepared for introduction of Eidophor wide- screen TV as soon as the govern- ment gives the okay and had sta- tions operating. This is now fig- ured to be around late 1954. Hoyts control 186 cinemas in Aussie with 20lh-Fox owning the controlling stock. During the recent visit here of 20th-Fox prexy Spyros Skouras he said no time would be lost in set- ting Eidophor TV in the loop’s key spots. Turnbull told the meeting that many partisan views are currently being expressed as to how TV should be operated here. He be- lieves the government of the day should make an exhaustive inquiry as to .the best method of operating TV Down Under for the public’s benefit. If the greenlight is given Commercial operation, Hoyts would be represented in this field. Turn- bull said. Greater Union Also Eyes TV Sydney, Dec. 16. Greater Union Theatres circuil powerful opposition to Hoyts whicl is headed by Norman B. Rydgo also have plans advanced by in troduction of wide-screen TV i: act houses. With the J. Arthu Rank Organization holding a 50 r> stock sayso in GUT, it is under j stood that British wide-scree; equipment will be used here to ofl set Eidophor. Although the mooted introduc i tion of» TV Down Under is cui , rently a terrific headache to Aussi j exhibitors, both Hoyts and Create j Union are determined not to b I caught unprepared.